Beaches Boating (motorized) Fishing Hiking (trails) Sea kayaking Watchable wildlife Picnic area

Description

Eagle Island Access & Peary Museum Update - 3/12/2024 - Eagle Island will not be accessible by most boats until the pier, damaged in the 1/13 storm, has been repaired. Moorings are not available either. Kayakers and small boat operators will be welcome to pull up on the beach to picnic beginning on June 15. Trails are closed yearly until July 15 to protect the nesting seabirds. Eagle Island provides significant wildlife habitat for nesting seabirds and is protected under the Natural Resources Protection Act. The Peary Museum is closed for restoration work; no opening date is available.

Hours / Season Open June 15 - Labor Day; 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Daily.

VHF channel 9 is monitored by the park staff.

Location Lat 43.712491 / Lon -70.052524

Fee charged - cash or check only, no credit cards accepted.

Nestled a few miles off the coast of Maine, Eagle Island State Historic Site, and National Historic Landmark, receives about 6,000 visitors each season who tour the summer home of North Pole Explorer Admiral Robert Peary. Purchased in 1881 for $200, the island provides a perfect perch for Peary's summer home that overlooks Casco Bay and surrounding islands. Eagle Island received National Historic Landmark designation from the Secretary of the Interior on August 25, 2014 in recognition of the property's national significance in the history of the United States.

Panoramic views of ocean scenery, squawking seagulls, and fragrant flowers offer guests a unique opportunity to live a day in the life of the famous 1900s explorer. The island is void of any mechanical devices and from the moment visitors arrive, one gets the sense that Admiral Peary and his wife, Josephine could be sitting atop the library's roof watching people explore corners of their island getaway. Josephine cultivated beautiful gardens that featured foxgloves among other colorful flowers. Bureau of Parks and Lands staff tend those same gardens today.

While in the area, make it a point to also visit the Peary-MacMillan Arctic Museum at Bowdoin College in Brunswick. Admiral Peary was a graduate of Bowdoin.

Visit the Friends of Peary's Eagle Island web site to learn more about the Island, listen to recordings of Admiral Robert E. Peary, and the Friends of Eagle Island.

The Land and Water Conservation Fund contributed to this State Historic Site. Learn more about LWCF.

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History

Visit the Friends of Peary's Eagle Island website.

If you are interested in learning about geology around the state, check out the Maine Geological Survey Searchable Database.

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Activities

• Beaches
• Boating (motorized)
• Fishing
• Hiking (trails)
• Sea kayaking
• Watchable wildlife

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Rules

• Overnight use of moorings is prohibited.
• Trauls are closed until July 15 each year to protect nesting seabirds. Stay on designated trails. Trails are for walking only.
• Pets must be kept on a leash and under control at all times; please pick up after your pet.
• Fires are strictly prohibited on the Eagle Island. The Island does not have any grills or designated areas for making fires.
• Do not pick or remove anything natural: please leave it for others to enjoy.
• Enjoy wildlife from a distance: do not feed or disturb animals or birds.
• See Rules for State Parks and Historic Sites

Consider lending a hand. Contact us if you would like to help with stewardship or maintenance work.

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Tours and Programs

View the Maine Parks and Lands Annual Events Listing

Sortable Calendar of Maine Parks and Lands Events

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Services and Facilities

• Picnic area
• See Visitor Accessibility

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