Photo via Wikimedia Commons, public domain
🌤 Weather at Great Heath by season
| Spring | Summer | Fall | Winter |
|---|---|---|---|
| 22–61 °F | 51–76 °F | 30–69 °F | 9–35 °F |
Each range runs from the coldest monthly average low to the warmest monthly average high in that season (1991-2020 climate normals), measured at Jonesboro, 12 mi away, elevation 194 ft. Conditions at the park can differ from the station, especially where elevation differs — check a forecast before you go.
🌿 One of Maine’s largest peatland systems — about 6,067 acres of public land, most of it an Ecological Reserve
Great Heath is one of the largest peatland systems in Maine, a domed, raised bog on about 6,067 acres of public land in Washington County. This extraordinary ecosystem has been growing for 10,000 years since the last glaciers retreated, accumulating up to 15 feet of peat. The bog’s surface is a spongy carpet of sphagnum moss dotted with carnivorous sundew and pitcher plants.
Visitor Information
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Location | Washington County, ME; access off unmarked gravel roads north of Cherryfield |
| Size | About 6,067 acres of public land |
| Entry Fee | Free |
| Age | 10,000 years of peat growth! |
| Plants | Carnivorous sundew + pitcher plants! |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I walk on the bog?
The Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands does not list hiking or trails here. Recreation is mainly fishing and paddling on the Pleasant River.
About Great Heath
Great Heath in Washington County protects one of the largest peatland systems in Maine. The entire state-owned portion was designated an Ecological Reserve in 2001. Raised bogs are globally rare ecosystems where the peat surface rises above the surrounding terrain, creating a unique spongy landscape of sphagnum moss, carnivorous plants, and dwarf shrubs. The heath has been accumulating peat for over 10,000 years since the last Ice Age.
Things to Do
The Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands lists canoeing, fishing, hunting and watchable wildlife here, with a hand-carry boat launch. The Pleasant River flows through the center of the bog. Source: Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands, as of November 2026.
More parks nearby: Roque Bluffs State Park is within about an hour’s drive.
Wildlife & Nature
Great Heath is one of the largest peatland systems in Maine. The bog’s sphagnum moss, pitcher plants, sundews, and orchids create a subarctic landscape. Palm warblers, Lincoln’s sparrows, and ribbon snakes inhabit the heath.
Nearby Attractions
Cherryfield — the gravel access roads run north of town. Washington County — surrounding.
🐾 Dogs & Pets at Great Heath
Park policy: Maine's rules for Public Lands (01-670 C.M.R. ch. 51, § 1.5) require pets in campsites to be kept leashed and not left unattended; outside campsites, pets must be kept under control (rule text at law.cornell.edu, checked November 2026).
- Pets allowed?
- Yes, pets must be leashed and attended at campsites and kept under control elsewhere on these Maine Public Lands
Are dogs allowed at Great Heath?
Yes, pets must be leashed and attended at campsites and kept under control elsewhere on these Maine Public Lands.
More: Maine state parks guide · Dog rules in all 50 states compared
Park Map
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