State: Maine
Address 1: 40 South Edmunds Road
City: Edmunds Twp
Zip: 04628
Phone: (207) 726-4412
Open: Open from May 15 through Oct 15
Number of Sites: 106
Camp URL: http://www.maine.gov/cgi-bin/online/doc/parksearch/details.pl?park_id=15
Full Hook: Yes
Cobscook Bay State Park is a great base for family camping and explorations in easternmost Maine. Many of the park’s 106 campsites (both for tenting and RVs) border Whiting Bay, a sheltered inlet within the larger bay. The Park offers a boat launch for those with the experience to handle boating in challenging conditions (with rapids created by fast-moving tides).
Cobscook Bay is an unusual estuary with a narrow opening to the sea, a long and convoluted shoreline, and relatively few feeder streams and rivers. Nutrient-rich salt water flowing in from the Gulf of Maine stimulates plankton growth, which in turn feeds a vast array of invertebrates (such as shellfish and marine worms). Eagles, ospreys, seals, otters and even the occasional bear enjoy the Bay’s abundant fish, including smelt, alewives, shad, sea-run brook trout, striped bass and the Atlantic salmon.
Activities
beachcombing
birdwatching; picnicing; boating
camping
Canoeing
sea kayaking
walking (roads and paths)
Trails
Cobscook Bay State Park has two short trails appropriate for walkers of all ages. The Nature Trail, which begins near the Park entrance, offers a forested, one-mile path that leads through forests, passes along a brook and then rises to two scenic outlooks with views out over Whiting Bay and Burnt Cove. The trail up to the outlook has a short, steep and rocky section: take extra care here in wet weather. The Nature Trail ends by two campsites, allowing walkers to return on a gravel road (for a 2-mile round trip).
The Shore Trail (also known as the Anthony’s Beach Trail) is a 0.75-mile loop path that begins beside campsite 17, following near the shore to the boat launch, and then winding back through woods to come out between campsites 18 and 20. Many visitors enjoy shoreline explorations as well, but please don’t wander into waterfront campsites and be mindful of fast-moving tides.
If you are not camping at the park but want to hike the trails, stop at the park entrance to obtain a map and pay the day-use fee.
Services and Facilities
campground
group picnic shelter
picnic area
playground
RV dumping station
showers
trailered boat launch
Camping Season is May 24 to September 12, 2010. Some of our campgrounds are open all year and allow camping on particular sites. Phone the park before you go to be sure sites are accessible and the park is open to camping at the time you wish to go.
