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Maine Trail Finder
Beaches
Fishing
Hiking (trails)
Watchable wildlife
Description
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Location Lat 43.690127 / -70.234947
Access is via Andrews Avenue off Route 1 in Falmouth.
Hours / Season Open all year; 9:00 a.m. to sunset daily unless otherwise posted at the gate. Fee Charged.
Mackworth is an island of approximately 100 acres connected to Falmouth by a causeway at the mouth of the Presumpscot River. This proximity to Portland and the Presumpscot accounts for the unique blend of human and natural history that has shaped Mackworth Island. While human influence has greatly altered the natural environment, there is much to be enjoyed and preserved. The 1 ¼ mile trail that encircles the island takes about an hour to complete at a leisurely pace and visitors are treated to stunning views of Casco Bay and Portland. Along the way, stop to watch boats and ferries motor though the Atlantic waters while seagulls, osprey and shorebirds glide overhead as they search for food.
If you are interested in learning about geology around the state, check out the Maine Geological Survey Searchable Database.
The Governor Baxter School for the Deaf is on the island and is not open to the public without prior arrangement.
The trail surface is packed soil which may be slippery when wet, and the terrain is generally level with slopes not exceeding 10%. There are no steps or other barriers to wheelchairs on the main loop except for rocks, roots, and a few waterbars, but some of the small side trails down the steep slope to the shore may be inaccessible to some visitors. Please watch children carefully around steep rocky areas.
In 1946, Governor Percival Proctor Baxter donated Mackworth Island to the State of Maine to be used for state public purposes and "as a sanctuary for wild beasts and birds."
Activities
- Beaches
- Fishing
- Hiking (trails)
- Watchable wildlife
Rules
Consider lending a hand. Contact us if you would like to help with stewardship or maintenance work.
Trails
This easy trail circles Mackworth Island and offers excellent views of the island within and the bay beyond. The trail surface is packed soil, which may be slippery when wet and the terrain is generally level with slopes not exceeding 10%. There are no steps or other barriers to wheelchairs on the main loop, but the small side trails down the steep slope to the shore may be inaccessible to some visitors.
View Mackworth Trail Map (JPG - 132 KB)
Visit the Mackworth Island trail map at Maine Trail Finder.