Amazing amazing sunset views. Not only sunset but during the day you have spectacular views of the…read morecity. Also it's a great park to just sit and relax under a tree with a book or at the bench. Very peaceful

This was a beautiful spot to picnic and enjoy the sunset views. It overlooks the city and is…read morespectacular.

I know that Mackeral Cove is stunning and a picturesque spot (driving by, you can't help but have…read moreyour breath taken away at the perfect scene: blue waters, lobster boats, it's charming!), but every time I came this past winter the beach was absolutely covered in trash. Shattered glass, crushed cans, piles of takeout containers/wrappers, plastic chunks broken off of who knows what, lobster bands everywhere, cigarette butts, you name it. I completely understand and respect that this is a working waterfront, but I've never actually seen anything quite this disgusting on the Maine coast before (I've lived here all my life). Yes, we did our part to pick as much up as we could; and, who knows, maybe folks go out of their way to keep it much cleaner in the nicer weather. But as a local who frequents this area? I'm all set right now. If you're out this way, visit Land's End and Giant's Stairs Trail, but let the visual you get simply from passing by Mackerel Cove be enough.

This is a great natural place if you have a chance to visit. I was hear for a wedding and it made a…read moremagnificent backdrop. The couple loves nature and are often out rowing and hiking. This place made their special day even more special. This is also a great backround for pictures that are picturesque and won't be soon forgotten. Getting here is no treat, though. There is not much parking and walking can be challenging with a huge hill to walk down to get here.

Great little state park with an easy, short walk around the perimeter of the island. Views of…read morePortland, Fort Gorges, and several of the islands in Casco Bay make for a very beautiful walk. Parking is limited and it can be breezy, so go on off times and bring layers. Outhouse next to the parking lot if ya gotta go.

What a great spot for a hike and the state park pass works here. The weather was perfect. The…read moreparking is limited but there spots available in mid September.

This is a gem of a location. A little under a mile from viva fortuna resort, it is worth the trek…read more We ventured that way late afternoon and it was an easy, safe walk along the beach, except for one area that was a little bit of unstable sand and a rock scramble. One you arrive it is an amazingly calm, clear, warm shallow bay with a sandbar that extends far into the ocean. It's perfect for lounging in the water, playing with kids and just relaxing. It doesn't seem to get deeper than 2 feet in the entire stretch unless you venture quite a ways out. Pack a towel and some snacks and spend a few hours here further away from crowds for your own special experience.

How did I not know about this place?? Fabulous. Quiet. feel sorry for the neighbors if too many…read morepeople go there.

I am not the kind of mermaid who needs to drive her car right onto the beach. I'm not into…read moretailgating. I'm not into opening the back of my vehicle to blast music and create a Daytona-esque feel. That's just me. If any of those things are appealing, then come to Stover's Cove especially on the weekend. I'm not sure this place is much of a secret. When we came it was FILLED with giant trucks (many from Massachusetts) that had emptied out contents like canopy tents, beach furniture of all kinds, eight foot tables for buffets and beer pong, corn hole, SUP, kayaks, you name it. We found what we thought was a quiet area all the way at the end of the gravelly hook-shaped land (nothing here is sandy, so don't expect a traditional beach) but were almost immediately surrounded - people a few feet to our left, right, and behind. This is a cove, so remember there are no open ocean views or waves of any kind (unless they're coming from jetskiers) which is great for the ecosystems of the salt marshes. It's very still, very warm ocean water with views of homes, trees, Harpswell Sound, and the cribstone bridge. The ocean floor is more mushy then rocky or compact. Obviously this is all nitpicky and totally preferential, but Maine is filled with so many glorious swimming and sunbathing spots, that it's really all about finding what makes you happy. Is this a free place to swim? Yes. Is parking abundant (and also free)? Yes. Is it great for kiddos who maybe are a bit nervous about swimming or the ocean? Yes. Is it suitable if you have mobility issues? Yes. Also, they permit fireworks on July 3rd, 4th, 5th and December 31st and January 1st. Definitely check it out, but be careful of driving in. Your undercarriage thanks you.

Nobody has updated this in years. So I'm here to share. We love this beach now. Since they removed…read morethe old pier, the beach and water are immaculately clean. It's rocky, so swimming shoes are a must. There's a big rock to sunbathe on. It disappears when the tide comes in. Plenty of green space for relaxing flying kites-throwing a football, trails for walking/biking, a big white gazebo with live music in summertime. Picnic tables and a porta potty. Pammy's Ice Cream Parlor is at the end of the road and is a MUST.

We stumbled upon this trail one day while walking the Fore River Pathway Trail. This trail is also…read moreone of Portland Trails' network of trails and can be connected to the Fore River Parkway Trail by crossing the street. We crossed the street at the stop light by Mercy and discovered a little slice of wildlife heaven. This loop is a short walk, but what makes it interesting is that there is such a great little ecosystem. The pond is located between the employee lots and the hospital. The loop takes you around the marsh that they were not able to fill in when they built the hospital here. The path is paved and probably only 1/4- 1/2 mile total. There is some fencing around the pond/marsh. We have seen ducks, geese, woodchucks, lesser blue herons nesting, turtles, red-winged blackbirds and many other birds I can not identify. While this path is not long, it is pleasant and a nice distraction from all that is going on around you. I imagine for families or friends who have someone at the hospital, it is a nice way to get out and get air... or even a nice place for employees to take a quick walk on a break. As a side note, they have high bush blueberries planted along the backside of the loop by the train tracks and each blueberry season I have gone over and picked tons of berries!

Great 2 mile hike to the beach (4mi total). Easy, free parking at the trailhead. This is an easy…read morehike that even little ones can do. Mostly shaded. But y'all, DO NOT FORGET THE BUG SPRAY. Let's say you arrive, start walking, and remember shoot! We left the bug spray in the car! TURN AROUND AND GET THE BUG SPRAY. Let's say you arrive, start walking, and remember shoot! We left the bug spray in the hotel! TURN AROUND, DRIVE HOME AND GET THE BUG SPRAY. I'm not exaggerating here - the bugs are a HUGE issue. We *gasp!* FORGOT THE BUG SPRAY, and suffered the consequences for the next 3 days of our trip. Literally hundreds of bites on every person. DO NOT NEGLECT TO BUG SPRAY. That aside, this was AWESOME!!! Such a gorgeous hike and then the beach!! THE BEACH!! Amazing. We visited Popham State Park later in the week and it could not compare to the beauty of this secluded beach. We were almost the only ones there! I wish I had understood how lovely it would be in advance... I would have packed a backpack lunch and spent the day there. As it was, we were all fully clothed but that didn't stop most of us from getting in the water. Do plan to spend some time here!

Such a lovely 4 mile hike. This place has everything. Marshes, forests , mountain, and a beach…read more The day was sunny and 38 and oh breathtaking. I have hiked here a lot. In July and August there are a lot of insects that bite so I would avoid it then. Otherwise this place is a gem. The ocean water at the beach was super sparkly. Gorgeous. Maine is nice ...worth a memory worth a lifetime!! Enjoy