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    Fort Foster Photos

    Recommended Reviews - Fort Foster

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    sunset view
    Karen 2.

    a beautiful place to watch the sunset! the views of the ocean are spectacular & the fort is fun to check out.

    Alex M.

    Beautiful spot to picnic with the family. Access is limited due to Covid which is understandable. Go during low tide so you can do more exploring. Even before Covid, the beach was well spaced out so you never felt like it was too crowded.

    No charge in the off season. Photos by Anna K.
    Brian S.

    A new old fort Fort Foster wasn't constructed until 1873 which makes it a whole lot newer than many of the other old forts in Maine. But like many forts, Foster had constant modifications and changes over the years. Guns were added and removed and lots of different buildings were destroyed or added. The fort manage to hang on until 1948 when it was finally decommissioned and the last guns were removed and all military equipment dismantled. The fort now serves as a great park. Lovely views of the water and even a lighthouse looming in the distance. Great scenery in every direction. The park still has some of the old gun mounts and abandoned buildings to crawl around on and some nice little hiking trails and a cool playground. The price is ten bucks per car during the summer but of course it is free in the off season. An impressive piece of history, the fort is a great place for a picnic, little hike or a place to enjoy some stunning Maine scenery.

    Karen D.

    Great spot. Hibachi for grilling picnic tables, grass area for lazing around. Hiking, exploring, playground, great views only negative not good swimming because it's rocky area.

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    Photo of Jireh H.
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    5 months ago

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    12 years ago

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    6 years ago

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    13 years ago

    Quintessential Maine Rocky Coast. Great for dogs on leash.

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    11 years ago

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    Review Highlights - Fort Foster

    There are plenty of picnic tables and a slightly dated playground for the kids.

    Mentioned in 4 reviews

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    Fort McClary - RV/Bus turn around

    Fort McClary

    4.5(21 reviews)
    1.4 mi

    A nice outing. The structures are still in good shape, lots of history here…read more Especially loved the map that shows where things are in front of you. Views of Constitution Light (NH) and Whaleback Light, which is actually just a short 10 minute drive away and we went to visit that after! Sign said they officially open Memorial day but the picnic area across the street was open.

    Working through my Maine State Parks pass, we revisited Fort McClary around Memorial Day weekend…read more There were a couple of families using the picnic tables, some folks walking their dogs, but we were able to once again explore the grounds at our own pace (probably helped that it was kind of a cool and misty day)!  As I mentioned in my first review: they really did a wonderful job preserving the area. There's sweeping ocean (and, of course, lighthouse) views, spacious green lawns, a small hiking trail behind the parking lot (I think part of it might accidentally lead into someone's backyard!; one part brings you all the way to the entrance), and all the fun things kids/kids-at-heart can climb all over. From the canons to the bunker (you can go down inside it; be careful, it's wet!), the powder house to the enormous unfinished walls on the perimeter of the property, I'm impressed that people can still pretty much touch and be a part of everything! Lots of forts I grew up going to now have gates and fences and barriers up to prevent the public from walking on/too close to things for preservation purposes. Which, as I mentioned in my first review, I totally understand and respect, but I think there's something pretty cool about being able to immerse yourself in a site like this when you can get so close! We *still* weren't able to go inside the Blockhouse though! Next time!

    Photos
    Fort McClary - History

    History

    Fort McClary - Car parking

    Car parking

    Fort McClary - Harbor view

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    Harbor view

    Portsmouth Harbor Lighthouse - thar 'tis

    Portsmouth Harbor Lighthouse

    4.0(11 reviews)
    1.4 mi

    this light sits behind the coast guard station in portsmouth harbor and is thoroughly inaccessible…read moresince the plannedemic according to the goat keepers which kind of detracts from the whole "let's go see some historic lighthouses" experience but slightly enhances the "we're already here so let's go have a look" and "do you think the coast guard is hiding something back there?" aspects of the trip so it's almost a push. original tower erected in 1771 was the first light north of bean-town; the current forty-eight foot tower was built in 1878, the focal plane for the fixed green light is 52' up and visible for 12 nautical miles give or take... automated in 1960 the light is still in use and the coast guard still holds title but the 'merican lighthouse foundation holds license since 2000 with the local chapter acting as stewards and fixing whatever needs it. the light is supposedly open to the public a few days each year but not right now because of storm damage and the impending change of seasons.

    With Fort Constitution closed, all opportunities to visit the lighthouse are null. You can see…read moreanother lighthouse at the distance, in an island and maybe available with a boat, but the Portsmouth Harbor lighthouse is not available. You can walk around, go into street that lead to the area, but the lighthouse is not visible from the street unless you go further. Basically, skip until the fort is open again.

    Photos
    Portsmouth Harbor Lighthouse - Brian S getting his pics of another lighthouse in the distance! I believe it's called Whaleback Reef Light.

    Brian S getting his pics of another lighthouse in the distance! I believe it's called Whaleback Reef Light.

    Portsmouth Harbor Lighthouse - I know you see the lighthouse, but I still just see Maine waiting for me in the distance! Hahahaha

    I know you see the lighthouse, but I still just see Maine waiting for me in the distance! Hahahaha

    Portsmouth Harbor Lighthouse - June 6, 2014

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    June 6, 2014

    Fort Constitution - Battery Farnsworth

    Fort Constitution

    4.0(2 reviews)
    1.1 mi

    Fort Constitution is a historic fort with an identity crisis. While the Fort is a New Hampshire…read moreState Park it is within an active area of a US Coast Guard base. As a result, visiting the fort is hit or miss. After making the three hour drive, I was only able to see the part of the fort through a rusty fence or from across the Piscataqua River. The Fort was established pre-Revolutionary War (1631) to protect the Colonies and harbor. The Fort was taken by Patriots during the Revolutionary War. There are several structures on the grounds including the Portsmouth Harbor Lighthouse, the fort itself, Battery Farnsworth (built 1899) and the ruins of Walbach Tower (built 1814). The drive across New Castle island to the fort is lovely with old New England homes. There is a small parking lot at the entrance to the park. I've since learned that there is a way to drive over to the fort, perhaps the best way is to ask when you arrive. There is designated parking outside the fence where you can view the old battery and read about the history of the Walbach Tower. The Tower was built during the War of 1812 and has since collapsed. The Farnsworth Battery became decommissioned in 1917 when the guns were moved to Europe during WWI. There's a lot of interesting history at the site. Call the Park before coming to learn how to get in.

    sitting beside the local coast guard installation fort constitution, like the nearby portsmouth…read moreharbor lighthouse, remains inaccessible to the general public for several years now (according to government representatives "it's for your own good, trust us.") the remains of Walbach tower dominate the site currently a mass of stone and concrete well on its way to becoming a pile of rubble; inferior materials and poor construction techniques contributed to the fort's early deterioration with the local hoodlummery and idlers apparently doing their best to hasten the collapse despite the addition of barbed wire and fencing some years ago. this structure is in a sorry state of disrepair but with a little motivation and a small bucket of cash the fort could either be rehabilitated or obliterated entirely in short order. meanwhile there's some goats for hire doing their best to keep the vegetation in check. call ahead for grazing times and dates. +3 stars for the goats and their keepers!!

    Photos
    Fort Constitution - Portsmouth Lighthouse and Fort Constitution from Fort Foster

    Portsmouth Lighthouse and Fort Constitution from Fort Foster

    Fort Constitution - Walbach Tower ruins behind plaque

    Walbach Tower ruins behind plaque

    Fort Constitution - Battery Farnsworth

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    Battery Farnsworth

    Fort Foster - landmarks - Updated May 2026

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