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Land and Water Conservation Fund
Maine Birding Trail
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Beaches
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Swimming
Description
Location: Lat 43.738436 / Lon -69.798309; Maine Route 209 in Phippsburg, 14 miles south of Bath.
Park Hours: Open all year; 9:00 a.m. to sunset daily unless otherwise posted at the gate.
Fee collected year-round at entry booth by staff or self-service station.
No Picnic Site or Grill Area Available for 2024 season - Due to the winter storms, the East Picnic Area was lost to the sea. We hope to reestablish a new picnic area on the western side of the beach this year.
Be Prepared
Navigating Soft Sand:Tips for a Safe Visit to Popham Beach State Park(And anyplace else in Maine or elsewhere where you'll encounter supersaturated sand).
Text POPHAM to 888-514-7527 to subscribe to the park's Condition Alerts. Be Shark Smart. Current Park & Beach Conditions.
Safety Updates for Maine State Parks and Public Lands.
About Popham Beach
A DYNAMIC AND CHANGING LANDSCAPE - Sand movement and beach dynamics have had a dramatic effect on Popham Beach, causing extreme shoreline change and dune erosion.
Bordering the south side of the mouth of the Kennebec River, Popham Beach State Park is truly one of Maine's rare geologic landforms that features a long stretch of sand beach. Sunbathers relaxing on Popham's sands can see Fox and Wood islands offshore, and the Kennebec and Morse rivers border each end of the beach.
Tides Visitors can no longer walk to Fox Island at low tide with out crossing the mouth of the Morse River, if you do choose to cross the river to explore, please pay attention to the quick-rising tides so as not to get marooned. Two hours after low tide the sandbars will likely be covered with cold, fast-moving water. Check the tide information below and again when yu arrive at the park.
Supersautrated Sand - How to Navigate Soft Sand Safely
The rolling Atlantic surf draws thousands of swimmers and surfers alike, and shell collecting is a pastime of many a sea side stroller. Lifeguards are on duty during the summer months, but beachgoers should note that this is a strong surf beach with undertows and occasional rip tides. Swimmers should swim within their abilities and near the lifeguard.
Call the Popham Beach State Park's Hotline during the summer for current tide and parking information: (207) 389-9125. Surfers can visit www.maineharbors.com for tide information and should add 9 minutes to the Portland chart for Popham Beach high and low tide data.
Popham's cultural and social history is still being uncovered. Excavations of the Popham settlement of 1607 and Fort George continue each summer.
Read the June 26, 2019 Rubys on the Road review of the park.
Pets on the Beach
- Pets are not allowed on beaches between April 1 and September 30.
- From October 1 through March 31 pets are welcome on state park beaches, provided they are leashed at all times.
- Additional information about pets at state parks and historic sites.
Horses on the Beach
- Horses are allowed on the beach from October 1 through March 31 however a Horse Beach Permit is required.
For a geologic tour of the beach visit Seawall and Popham Beach Dynamics. Learn about the geology of the area on the interactive Maine Geologic Facts and Localities map.
Popham Beach State Park Garners Mention in July/August 2016 Yankee Magazine. View cover; article on page 82 of this issue. Read Yankee article online.
Activity Pages
Seashore Journal Page (PDF 162 KB)
Activities
- Beaches
- Birdwatching
- Fishing
- Hunting
- Sea kayaking
- Swimming
Rules
Consider lending a hand. Contact us if you would like to help with stewardship or maintenance work.
Tours and Programs
View the Maine Parks and Lands EVENT CALENDAR