Deer isle, stonington & little deer isle
Leave the Mainland Behind
Leave the Mainland Behind
Leave the Mainland Behind
Explore an Island
Leave the Mainland Behind
Leave the Mainland Behind
Hit the Trail
Leave the Mainland Behind
Hit the Trail
Crossing the Deer Isle bridge over Eggemoggin Reach you begin to feel that you’ve reached the essence of the Maine Coast and you’ll not be disappointed. The melding of seafolk, crafts people and artists over the centuries has created a community with a true spirit of cooperation and bonhomie in and around these waters. There are so many opportunities to get outdoors here you might want to do a little research and plan some extra stops hiking, swimming or taking a boat ride out to Isle Au Haut (the most remote section of Acadia National Park). Here are a few outdoor spots to stimulate your imagination.
Pumpkin island lighthouse
A beautiful light kept in great condition; Pumpkin Island light can be viewed from the western tip of Little Deer Isle. Turn right onto Eggemoggin Road at the Chamber of Commerce building (just over the bridge) and follow it to the end. A small parking area and boat launch will be found here. The scene is noteworthy and the photography is grand. Walks and bike rides along the roads of Little Deer Isle are excellent, the traffic is minimal.
sand beach
This lovely beach is small, sandy and excellent for children. It’s also a fabulous spot for kayaking out to several nearby islands and coves. There’s a lot to explore when the tide is out; many tide pools and boulders appeal to all ages. Weir Island, just a stone’s throw from shore, is maintained by the Maine Island Trail Association which provides a long list of island camping sites all along the Maine coast.
The path to the beach is sandy but it’s a very short stroll from the parking area on Sand Beach Road on the west side of the island between Burnt Cove and Stonington village. Walker support, cane and hiking pole users will have no difficulty with access. Wheelchair users should have a strong helper to overcome the sand friction but the view from the vehicle is terrific if you just want to chill out for awhile. The beach is rendered fairly narrow when the tide is high but opens up beautifully when it goes out.
