Fort Point State Park sits on a promontory of land extending into the Penobscot River where it becomes Penobscot Bay. The park is 45 minutes from Bangor and 1¼ hours from Augusta, making it a good day trip for many families and visitors. The main activities here are having a picnic, birdwatching, fishing, hiking, cycling, paddling, and enjoying the trails and scenery.
This Maine state park is 120 acres, including a mile-long stretch of rocky shoreline. The trails loop around offering multiple vantage points for enjoying this unique setting. Accessibility is limited although the picnic area is accessible, with the tables, pier, and parking accessible with assistance.
Nearby Parks
Activities
This park affords you views in a setting that’s as varied as it is rich in history. You can launch your hand-carried boat, fish from shore, or take to the trails. It’s a popular place to picnic as there’s so much else to do. The park is seasonally open from mid-May to mid-October. You’re welcome to enjoy it any time of year by parking outside the gate.
A unique activity just 15 minutes away are Fort Knox and the Penobscot Narrows Bridge and Observatory. The bridge has the world’s tallest public bridge observatory with stunning 360-degree views that extend for many miles.
Boating
A special feature here is the pier with floats for boaters and those who fish. This means you can arrive via motorized craft, sailboat, or personal watercraft. The Penobscot River is tidal in the vicinity of the park, something to keep in mind as you cruise these waters. That includes the presence of a tidal sandbar at the far end of the point.
Forty minutes away you’ll find Castine Kayak Adventures where you can rent kayaks, bikes, and standup paddle boards.
Swimming
The park does not have a designated beach or swimming area. Sandy Point Beach is just six miles away. It’s a 100-acre parcel on the Penobscot River where you can swim, stroll, or birdwatch at the ½-mile long beach.
Hiking
The park is located in a coastal area that has multiple opportunities for hiking.
- The trail here at the park is just under a mile long and varied as it takes you through fields and forest as well as along rocky shoreline. This easy trail offers you a mixed surface of forest floor, crushed gravel, as well as rocks that may be wet from spray. You can enjoy the trail during the winter, using it for snowshoeing or cross-country skiing.
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Passagassawakeag Rail Trail is 14 miles away, just outside of Belfast. It’s an easy 2.2-mile one-way trail on an old railroad bed. The surface has crushed stone making it accessible for wheelchairs and strollers. It’s suitable for hiking, cycling, and snowshoeing and cross-country skiing in winter when there’s enough snow. Your leashed pet can tag along to keep you company.
Biking
Bring your cycle along for your visit to the park. There’s an enjoyable 7-mile loop on the Cape Jellison Road with opportunities to extend your ride through Stockton Springs via West Main Street.
Fishing
People fish from the pier, sandbar, shoreline, and boat, following Maine’s Saltwater Recreational Fishing guidelines. This page links with others that have tips, tide tables, and other info you need to know before you head out on the water. Fish most often caught here are salmon, striped bass, and mackerel.
There are guides and charters available within an hour if you want to go out with a pro.
- Verona Island Charter Services is only 10 miles away and can get you out on the bay to fish and watch birds and wildlife.
- Ten Mile Guide Service is about ¾ hour down the coast and offers fishing guide services among others.
- Mike Kinney Maine Guide will show you fishing spots in the mid-coast Maine area. His boat is work of art and get into waters that other craft cannot.
Birding
You’ll want to have your binoculars handy during your visit. The spot offers unparalleled visibility for birding over the water and land.
You’re likely to see red-breasted mergansers, buffleheads, and scoters from fall through spring. The abundance of fish draws eagles and osprey. The latter reportedly nest in the Sandy Point Beach area. In winter, watch for Barrow’s goldeneye as groups have been spotted in the past.
In the park’s woods and fields you may catch sight of warblers, dark-eyed juncos, red-breasted nuthatches, golden-crowned kinglets, and owls, among others.
Nature & Wildlife
During your visit you may get to see wildlife both on land and in the water. A walk out on the 200-foot pier can result in sighting a seal or perhaps a porpoise. On land there are deer, fox, rabbits, and, if you’re in luck, a moose.
Heading out in a boat gives you even more chance to view the bay’s wildlife. If you don’t have your own boat, consider taking a cruise.
- Castine Harbor Tours goes out of Castine, a 40-minute drive from the park. By calling ahead, you may even be able to take your pet along.
- The Schooner Charm sails out of Belfast for morning, afternoon, and sunset cruises of Penobscot Bay. You can get there in about 20 minutes, arriving at least ½ hour prior to departure.
Pets
Leashed pets are allowed at the park. Please be sure to have your pet managed, with you at all times, managed, and have disposed of its waste.
Camping
Fort Point State Park is made for a day-trip, as there isn’t any camping on the property. There is some quite nearby that offers you varied yet intriguing camping options:
- Searsport Shores is a waterfront campground just 9 miles from the park. It’s a wooded destination with plenty of bay beachfront and boat rentals. There are RV and tent sites, plus trailer and cabin rentals and activities right there for your entire family. Pets are welcome although not to stay in the rental units.
- Harborside RV Resort has water, sewer, and electric hookups, along with a picnic table and fire pit at each site. Pets are welcome at this resort that’s just over three miles away.
- Stockton Harbor Yurts are an attractive option for staying in a peaceful setting that’s also just over three miles from the park.
Park Location
Fort Point State Park
207 Lighthouse Rd
Stockton Springs, ME 04981
Phone: 207.941.4014
Map
Video
Here is a short YouTube video showcasing several attractions at Fort Point State Park:
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