This beach is the reason I moved to Winthrop! Situated on the end of Maranacook Lake, this little…read moretown beach is my favorite local spot for a swim, float, picnic, and family outing! In peak summer days the shore is lined with families, food trucks, kids on bikes, boaters, kayakers, and all other species of lake lovers. The waters of Maranacook Lake are clear, pristine, and brisk! The beach is easily walked to from downtown Winthrop, which is lined with cool shops, a subway, couple of eateries. The town beach is clean, nicely maintained, trash receptacles are available, lots of green space to picnic and chill. The boat launch is nearby as is a lovely park with benches and a community gazebo. On the 4th of July this is THE place to be! Amazing fireworks food trucks, and of course the Winthrop PD regularly patrols so you can take your leisure in a safe, monitored location. As a local I love using the beach in the off season. There's always tons of free parking and the Winthrop peeps are just great, kind, people who don't mind sharing their gem of a beach with out of towners who respect and abide the rules. While at the beach take a stroll, explore the neato downtown area, and soak up the sun and fun vibes! Bring the fam and chill on the shore of the beautiful Maranacook Lake. Oh! And boaters if you put in the lake check your boat and trailers for milfoil (a nasty invasive plant) it's the law in Maine. No milfoil in or out of our water bodies. Enjoy!

Very nice area to just relax, take in the view, enjoy the fresh breeze and kids can go for a swim…read more,fish etc.

Beautiful short walk to the rocky shoreline. It does feel like you're walking through people's…read morebackyards, but it was raining that day so we weren't going to slip and slide on the rocks. This was a short drive from Booth Bay where our planned activities were, I'm glad we stopped by!

Swan Island is one of most enjoying camping experiences ever! It doesn't hurt that there is a…read morelobster bake available (pre-register) once a month either! I've been to the island just for the lobster bake twice before. I signed up again this year, and when confirming my registration, decided "last minute" to camp overnight! I'm thrilled I did, as I've said the last two times that I wanted to stay for the weekend. Next time, I think I'll stay two or three nights. This is such a peaceful place, with flush toilets and no showers or beach. You can swim off the dock in brackish water ... I'm not sure of the salinity.

The beach and campground are always pristine. There are numerous events to attend over the summer…read moreseason - I visited the Highland Games, Bluegrass Festival, to name a couple. Very kid friendly, great food, and yummy ice cream. I am not a camper, but so many people who are travel here every summer because it is so welcoming.

Detailing my arrival lacks in interesting traction - nobody was at the little mustard colored front…read moreoffice. So, I penned my arrival time, parking slot and attached the fee and slipped it through the mail slot. The second day, the spring thunder was rolling across the sky, filling all the upper and lower spaces with it's rumblings, then a moment of faded distance, followed by a final wrathful roar coming from behind the clouds. For you see, more and more - rightly or wrongly, I'm developing my desire to be alone with the sights and sounds of nature. From thunder clap to the little water crystals of mornings first dew, it all makes me feel a special way. As if nature is harmonizing within the depths of my souls mood. I'll sit for hours watching nature lay before me in a hush and there is no sense of movements, but I feel the flow of vital natural energy that no humans can disturb. It's here, below the trees sitting upon the grass which seems to offer soft words of comfort and sympathy. And now, in these moments - any human that might pierce suddenly upon my natural mood, seems to effect me greatly. Because one bad thought - problems in NYC, etc - and my souls tranquility is thrown into confusion.

How did I not know about this place?? Fabulous. Quiet. feel sorry for the neighbors if too many…read morepeople go there.

I am not the kind of mermaid who needs to drive her car right onto the beach. I'm not into…read moretailgating. I'm not into opening the back of my vehicle to blast music and create a Daytona-esque feel. That's just me. If any of those things are appealing, then come to Stover's Cove especially on the weekend. I'm not sure this place is much of a secret. When we came it was FILLED with giant trucks (many from Massachusetts) that had emptied out contents like canopy tents, beach furniture of all kinds, eight foot tables for buffets and beer pong, corn hole, SUP, kayaks, you name it. We found what we thought was a quiet area all the way at the end of the gravelly hook-shaped land (nothing here is sandy, so don't expect a traditional beach) but were almost immediately surrounded - people a few feet to our left, right, and behind. This is a cove, so remember there are no open ocean views or waves of any kind (unless they're coming from jetskiers) which is great for the ecosystems of the salt marshes. It's very still, very warm ocean water with views of homes, trees, Harpswell Sound, and the cribstone bridge. The ocean floor is more mushy then rocky or compact. Obviously this is all nitpicky and totally preferential, but Maine is filled with so many glorious swimming and sunbathing spots, that it's really all about finding what makes you happy. Is this a free place to swim? Yes. Is parking abundant (and also free)? Yes. Is it great for kiddos who maybe are a bit nervous about swimming or the ocean? Yes. Is it suitable if you have mobility issues? Yes. Also, they permit fireworks on July 3rd, 4th, 5th and December 31st and January 1st. Definitely check it out, but be careful of driving in. Your undercarriage thanks you.

My favorite place!! Very clean & family run by an older couple that are very nice and take great…read morepride in everything from the cleanliness to kindness. Only $5.00 to get in for the day. It's on a dead end street and plenty of parking. Very simple and relaxing.

Incredible beach/lake experience. This little gem is tucked away in a residential area, which…read morehelps to keep the masses away. Came here on July fifth, and the weather was marvelous! The water was cool and refreshing with a mix of smooth sand. For the person posting about the smell, I'd say it's possible they didn't shower properly that morning, because the air was mountain fresh this day.

Picture this: you're strolling along a pebbly beach tucked away along the most quintessential Maine…read morerocky coast scene in the world during almost-dusk without a care in the world. It's like something out of Downeast Magazine, but really it's the vibe at Birch Point State Park during the off-season (which is open all year round, and as a Mainer you should really, really check out... I mean, is there anything quite as romantic as the ocean during winter?). I came in autumn and parked along the street outside of the entrance, walked the half mile down the access road, and was greeted by a crescent shaped beach bookended by giant rocks/ledges and small green spaces with picnic tables. I know there's a fee during the height of the season, but there's something really special about being able to enjoy this kind of unadulterated nature sans people in the chilly weather - so bring a sweater, a flask, a book... I'm confused though - there was a handwritten note defacing a park sign at the entrance that said, "Screw you State of Maine for closing this park." I don't know what's going on with that, but I hope it's not the truth because this is gem of spot. It seemed closed only for the season when I came, though that didn't stop locals from walking their dogs here.

Such a relaxing place that you don't even read your book much- just watch the water…read more A Sunday in mid-July was not crowded when we arrived at 1030 but by the time we left at 1, parking was rare and most people were parked on the long gravel drive into the park. The beach is a typical Maine one with dark, packed Sand and lots of seaweed. There's a lot of bugs in the seaweed that will go everywhere if you try to move it. Rocks are on either side of the beach and can make a less comfortable but quieter site. I was disappointed to see a giant pile of poo when we walked in. I think it was from a dog. Please, please clean up after your dog or leave them at home. This is a state park for all of us to enjoy. The water is frigid cold but we saw quite a few swimmers today. There are some grill to the left as you walk in that are shaded. Dogs must be on a leash.

I thought this spot was beautiful. Quiet. The grounds area…read morecould use some updating. But it's got water, rocks, shade trees, and a swing! Precious low key spot for some relaxing.

Nice little park. Not too busy and has a few nice trails by the water. Also picnic tables and and…read morespace to play catch or toss a football. Lots of trees for hammocking as well!

Beautiful state park with great views on many trails. The trails are pretty flat and not difficult,…read moreand they are very shaded, so it's a very relaxing set of hikes. Looks like a great spot for a picnic as well.

This is a great little state park close to Portland and Freeport with trails that go along the…read moreocean, through the woods and along the Harraseeket River. Nice picnic spots and places to sit and admire the view. This is a popular park in Summer, especially in nice weather, so parking could be a challenge. If you're in the area, definitely worth a visit. Don't forget to leave your money in the box at the entrance of you don't have a Maine State Park pass so we can keep state parks like this open and maintained.

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.