Holbrook Island Sanctuary State Park
1,345-Acre Wildlife Sanctuary on Penobscot Bay — No Motors Allowed, Kayaking, Hiking Through Forests and Meadows, Free Admission, Brooksville ME
Holbrook Island Sanctuary State Park is a state park at 172 Indian Bar Road, Harborside (Brooksville), Hancock County, Maine, on the Cape Rosier Peninsula overlooking Penobscot Bay. The park features 1,230 acres on the mainland plus 115 acres on offshore Holbrook Island (1,345 acres total), no motorized vehicles or boats allowed anywhere in the sanctuary, kayaking and canoeing with launch areas at Tom Cod Cove, hiking trails through forests, meadows, wetlands, and shoreline, bird and wildlife watching in diverse habitats, free admission year-round, and swimming and saltwater fishing along the coast.
Holbrook Island Sanctuary is Maine’s motor-free coastal refuge — no motorized vehicles or boats are permitted anywhere in the 1,345-acre sanctuary, creating a rare silence on the Penobscot Bay coast. The only sounds are waves, wind, and birdsong.
Holbrook Island itself is accessible only by paddle or private boat — visitor moorings are available at Tom Cod Cove and near the island dock.
Things to Do
- Kayaking/canoeing — Tom Cod Cove launch
- Hiking — forest, meadow, shoreline trails
- Birding — diverse coastal habitats
- Swimming — beaches (no dogs on beach)
- Saltwater fishing — Penobscot Bay coast
- Island access — paddle to Holbrook Island
Park Information
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | 172 Indian Bar Rd, Harborside, ME 04642 |
| Size | 1,345 acres — mainland + island |
| Motors | None allowed — no motorized vehicles/boats |
| Admission | Free year-round |
| Hours | 9 AM – sunset daily |
| Camping | Not permitted |
| Managed By | Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands |
| Coordinates | 44.3519° N, 68.7933° W |
Frequently Asked Questions
Are motorized boats allowed at Holbrook Island Sanctuary?
No — Holbrook Island Sanctuary State Park in Brooksville, Maine, prohibits all motorized vehicles and boats throughout its 1,345-acre preserve on the Cape Rosier Peninsula. Kayaking and canoeing are welcome with launch areas at Tom Cod Cove. The offshore Holbrook Island is accessible only by paddle or private boat. The sanctuary features hiking trails through forests, meadows, and shoreline, birding, swimming, and saltwater fishing — all with free admission year-round.
Last updated: May 2026













