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Description
Text FERRY to 888-514-7527 to subscribe to the park's Condition Alerts and please Be Shark Smart.
Location
Off Maine Route 9 on Bay View Road between Old Orchard Beach and Camp Ellis in Saco. (Lat 43.481514 / Lon -70.392965)
Park Hours / Season
Open 9:00 a.m. to sunset daily from Memorial Day to Sept 30 unless otherwise posted at the gate. Fee collected year-round at entry booth by staff or self-service station. Please note that the nature center and other facilities may close earlier than the park grounds. Visitors may continue to enjoy the park during the off season by parking outside the gate and walking in during these same hours. Please be aware that facilities are closed during the off season.
A stand of tupelo (black gum) trees, rare at this latitude, can be seen in this 100-acre area, which offers a sweeping view of miles of white sand beaches between the Saco River and Pine Point.
Long before highways were common north of Boston, beaches provided travelers relatively safe and easy transportation routes. A ferry crossing at nearby Saco River served beach travelers, and thus Ferry Beach State Park received its name.
A picnic area, nature trails, a nature center providing guided nature programs, and changing room are available.
Dogs are not allowed on the beach from April 1st through September 30th.
Read the July 26, 2018 Rubys on the Road review of the park.
Land for Maine's Future This property was acquired in part with funds from the Land for Maine's Future program. For more information about the LMF program and the places it has helped to protect, please visit the LMF webpage.
The Land and Water Conservation Fund contributed to this State Park.Learn more about LWCF.
History
For a guided tour of the region's geologic highlights, see Dune Recovery at Ferry Beach, Saco. Learn about the geology of the area on the interactive Maine Geologic Facts and Localities map.
Activities
- Beaches
- Fishing
- Hiking (trails)
- Swimming
Rules
Consider lending a hand. Contact us if you would like to help with stewardship or maintenance work.
Trails
Natural Heritage Hikes are narratives that guide hikers through the rich ecological, geological, and cultural elements encountered on 25 of Maine's most popular hiking trails. These descriptions provide the hiker with the what, how, and why of the natural environments they are walking through.
Natural Heritage Hike for Ferry Beach State Park - Tupelo Trail, Red Oak Trail, White Oak Trail. OR View the complete Natural Heritage Hikes listing.
Visit the Ferry Beach State Park trail map at Maine Trail Finder.
Tours and Programs
Nature Walks and Preschool Programs (PDF 205KB)
View the Maine Parks and Lands EVENT CALENDAR
Services and Facilities
- Group picnic shelter
- Picnic area
- See Visitor Accessibility