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Crescent Beach State Park

4.4 (35 reviews)
Closed 12:00 am - 6:30 pm
Updated 1 month ago

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Boardwalk from parking lot. Building is to the left.
Susie A.

Huge beach! The one mile length means there is plenty of space to spread out. If you plan on doing crazy deep swimming there is one lifeguard station close to the entrance and building. Loved the crescent shape which made for amazing views of the coastline. There was also an island to one side of the forever water view, just to keep things interesting. Willard Beach in Portland doesn't have the ocean view that you get here. It is totally worth the $8 and the drive!

Ale A.

Beautiful beach. Has beautiful sand dunes and sea grass, lots of ducks swimming around at this time, water was cool and refreshing.

Victoria L.

Beautiful and well maintained! It was fairly chilly the day that I had visited, so I didn't have the chance to get into the water. There is a parking lot so you do not have to worry about that. If you're an out of state visitor, it's $8 per person.

View from the boardwalk
Diana K.

We learned of this beach from two locals who we met on Congress Street while walking our yellow lab. They told us Crescent was dog-friendly and upon arrival at the gate, we learned the walking trail (about 1 mile) is on-leash dog friendly but dogs are not allowed on the beach during peak hours but allowed on the "grounds". Parking is $8 per person for non-Maine residents. The public bathrooms are well planned with the toilets separate from the shower and changing area. There's also another building across from the bathrooms which houses the kayaks for rental that had a very nice covered area. We asked the young lady who was working the kayak rental whether she would mind if we set up our beach chairs near her rental booth/table near this covered area and she was totally fine with that. This was perfect as it was just at the end of the boardwalk that led to the beach so our lab could be with us for the day and we could still see the ocean and catch some rays while our lab could be shaded. It was an absolutely perfect day with MANY beach goers stopping by to say "hi" to our lab. Many were on vacation and missing their 4-legged friend(s) so as much as those "hello's" made our lab's day, he also made theirs. This also included a few of the park employees who were patrolling the beach/park. UNTIL ... around 4 pm when a particular park employee was walking toward us at the same time our lab was approaching another dog who was coming our way. Instead of walking around either my dog or the other dog (mind you there was PLENTY of room), this park employee (a man around his late 50's/maybe 60's) walks right between them. The other dog's owner was holding his leash while mine was on an extended leash tied to a pillar (the way it has been for several hours). The park employee gives me a displeased look and says "a shorter leash would help" and keeps walking. Oh...the many things that crossed my mind to reply but thank goodness the filter between my lips stayed sealed! Just having that "look" and comment ruined the 5-star experience we were having. Really?? You have this job that allows you to enjoy these spectacular days in a wonderful setting with people who are on vacation and usually happy so you have to be a jerk. Thanks!

Birds enjoy the beach also.
JeanAnn D.

One of our favorite Maine beaches. Excellent parking at a reasonable rate. Nice bath houses (cold showers with curtains, toilets, sinks) and a Snack bar with limited hours. If playground groups and group homes are visiting the beach, the snack bar lines are long. A couple picnic tables located near the snack bar. Decent food selection for a beach (burgers, hot dogs, fruit, candy, Chips, beverages). If eating your food on the beach, keep your eyes open for sea gulls who would like to steal your food. Using a tote bag or Cooler is recommended or hold your food. You can always find a spot on the sand. Fun for walking or jogging if the tide is on the lower side. With proper footwear, the rocks at one end can be climbed. Some pretty rocks and shells can be found for collecting. The water can be a tad bit cold as with many Maine beaches but your body will adjust.

It's both cold and hot at the same time. I love it
Stacey H.

It's $8 a person, so if you don't have a park pass, come early to really get a whole day of entertainment on the cheap. The beach is clean and lovely. Lots of space to get off on your own. The water is crisp, and there are Interesting boats and homes and birds to see. We spent all day here. Loved it.

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1 year ago

Parking close to the beach. A great place to go for warm spring day. Great views Ang lots of room for walking.

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Ask the Community - Crescent Beach State Park

Review Highlights - Crescent Beach State Park

This is my go-to beach when I'm staying in Portland and after careful consideration, here's my pro/con list.

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Higgins Public Beach - Surfers surfing waves at Higgins Beach at sunset

Higgins Public Beach

4.5(20 reviews)
2.4 mi

This inn has a back to the past feel that is perfect for those quiet travelers who can appreciate…read morethe solitude and peace of nature. It is a block away from the Atlantic Ocean and beach. It is operational seasonally and closes the end of October. After reading recent reviews, the facts in them are true! This is not a HOTEL, there are no elevators, minibars, pools, daily maid service and plenty of stairs to climb. The place is a couple of hundred years old but pretty well maintained and my room was very clean. I booked a larger room on the first floor that was pretty quiet and very clean. The furniture was basic, had a minifridge and large bathroom. Coffee and muffins were put out for all at 7 AM and coffee and cookies at 2 PM. There is a restaurant on premises that serves breakfast starting at 8 AM and dinner from 4 to 9 PM. The bar is open during dinner hours only. So, this is a basic B&B in an out of the way beach town. DO NOT come here if you need modern furniture/wall art, minibars, pools, in room coffee or need pampering. Do not bring kids. Stay at one of the chain motels along the highway. You'll be happier!

(SIDE NOTE: I usually come to Higgins during the off season, so I can't speak to what it's like in…read morethe height of summer.) I always like walking Higgins. There's a shipwreck from 1897 there! I don't know if any other locals have noticed, but it seems like it's less and less exposed (the sands seem to be shifting a lot) these past few years. But the last time we came at low tide, it *was* there with its incredible ecosystem that exists in its adjacent tide pools! Higgins is super popular with: 1. Surfers! 2. People walking their doggos! 3. Plovers! There is an incredible amount of signage here in spring/summer educating and informing folks about where they can't bring their dogs because of the nesting area of our endangered/near-threatened shorebirds. If you're visiting: please, please pay attention to this and respect where both you and your four-legged friend can't run around in. It's tough parking here (from May 1st to September 15th if you park on the road you have to pay an hourly fee; there's also a public lot a few blocks away that's $10 a day), but it's a beautiful space with an expansive stretch of sand with a tidal river to the left.

Photos
Higgins Public Beach
Higgins Public Beach - Water isnt very cold, just cool

Water isnt very cold, just cool

Higgins Public Beach - Gets pretty crowded on the warm days

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Gets pretty crowded on the warm days

Scarborough Beach State Park - Beach

Scarborough Beach State Park

4.4(16 reviews)
4.3 mi

$10 dollars a person, and an amazing beach! Great waves, plenty of space, and nice staff. Only con…read moreis unless you're here really early, expect to park far away.

I've only ever been to Scarborough Beach during the "off season" - which to them is around November…read more16th to March 31st - because it's not a part of the Maine State Parks Pass. A note on that: - A Maine State Parks Pass is $55 for an Individual Season Pass, $105 for a Vehicle Season Pass. It gets you into dozens and dozens and dozens of parks across Maine, and most of those parks only really check passes from maybe the beginning of May to the end of September. - For Scarborough Beach State Park, which is operated in a public/private partnership with Black Point Resource Management LLC, from April 1st to October 1st it costs $7 per person per visit for residents/$9 for non-residents; from October 1st to November 15th it costs $6 per person per visit for residents/$8 for non-residents; it's $105 for an Individual Season Pass, $140 for a Vehicle Season Pass, $155 for a 24-hour Season Pass. So... it's *not* one of the cheaper options for beach access in the state. Is it glorious in the summer? I don't know. But according to the folks who own this beach: "Scarborough Beach offers some of the best swimming in New England with water temperatures in the high 60's throughout July and August." Is it glorious in the off season? Yes, but... The "yes": it's a long, sandy beach with uninterrupted views of the ocean. It makes for exceptional strolling and thinking and taking in blue space! Know that you have to park on the street, and it's a little bit of a walk to the beach itself, but it's so worth it. The "but": this is one of the most dog-walked beaches I've ever been to (and I rarely see them leashed). Every time I visit there is *a lot* of dog waste bags; one time I found 16 bags of dog poop and 2 used diapers. Yikes.

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Scarborough Beach State Park - USLA Lifeguards

USLA Lifeguards

Scarborough Beach State Park
Scarborough Beach State Park - New boardwalk makes getting onto beach easy

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New boardwalk makes getting onto beach easy

Portland Head Light - Portland Head Light

Portland Head Light

4.8(365 reviews)
4.1 mi

Definitely visit this if you are in Portland, especially on a sunny day. As much as the Lighthouse…read moreis iconic, the scenery around it is mind blowing. You can also take a walk along the cliff to enjoy the view from multiple directions. It is a good spot for picnic as well, and there are a couple of locations which are close to the water as well. Plenty of parking available, there are multiple parking lots along the property. Definitely recommend it.

While in Portland for lunch, we stopped in some small shops in the area and the lovely lady at the…read moreshop recommended that we check out the lighthouse. She said it was only about 15 minutes from the shop and we decided we would go check it out. The Portland Head Light is one of their most famous light houses according to the locals. It was very cold there but what a sight! We walked round the light house, checked out the cliff sides and walked on the trail. It was a gorgeous day (freezing but beautiful) with the perfect skies for photos of the light house. We were able to read the historic plaques, see the cliffs and the water crashing below us. After visiting the Head Light, we went over to the other portion in Fort WIlliams Park and checked out the old house, military storage areas and I even went down and touched the ice cold Atlantic ocean water that was crashing on the beach. If you are in the area I would highly suggest visiting the Portland Head Light. We were there in the late evening about an hour prior to closing so the coffee truck wasn't open but they do have a coffee & gelato stand right near the Light House. It was an amazing experience and much different than light houses I have seen on the West Coast.

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Portland Head Light - Portland Head Light

Portland Head Light

Portland Head Light - Lighthouse view

Lighthouse view

Portland Head Light - Portland Head Light

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Portland Head Light

Ferry Beach

Ferry Beach

4.8(4 reviews)
9.0 mi

My first and last time at the beach in 2020. It was also my first time at a Maine beach and I had…read moreno idea how clean and serene they were. I guess I'm just used to all the garbage and crowds along the Jersey Shore. The only downside is that parking is a bit pricey, at $20 a pop. But if you are an early bird and can make it there before I think either 8 or 9, then parking is only $5. Since we came on a Tuesday (at around noon), there weren't much people around, which was super nice. The weather for that day was only forecasted at the low 70s with some clouds, but it turned out to be a great beach day. It was warm, but not sweltering. Warm enough to go in the water - but only if you're brave. The water was icy cold. But after a while, you just become numb and don't even notice it (lol). There aren't really any waves but there is a very strong current so you definitely don't want to mess around with that. I never went out further than past my stomach, especially since I don't swim very well. Even just standing there with the water up to my waist, I could feel the currents pulling me. The best part of this beach is that it's only a 20-minute drive from Portland. We were visiting for the week and staying in Downtown, and didn't want to drive far to get to a beach so Ferry Beach was perfect for us. If I lived in the area, I would totally get a season pass.

Very nice small protected beach. The parking lot is also small but I've never had a problem getting…read morea spot. If you live in Scarborough get a beach pass for $40 at city hall. Very nice at low tide with a tidal pool for kids to play in. You can walk the beach all the way to the Black point Inn.

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Ferry Beach - Low tide

Low tide

Ferry Beach - Low tide

Low tide

Ferry Beach

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Crescent Beach State Park - beaches - Updated May 2026

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