Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Popham Beach State Park

    4.6 (53 reviews)

    Popham Beach State Park Photos

    You might also consider

    More like Popham Beach State Park

    Recommended Reviews - Popham Beach State Park

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Seagulls dive bombing at the beach

    Beautiful white Sandy Beach - We brought our beach chairs and were surprised when several seagulls dive bombed the people sitting near us To grab a sandwich - I was glad it Wasn't me but decided to do a sketch of it and gave it to the poor couple who We're visiting from out of Nee England- Entertaining to Put it mildly

    As if 2020 was not bad enough with COVID, there are also shark warnings at Popham!
    Todd R.

    Spent 5 hours today soaking in the sun at our favorite beach. We were surprised a bit by the fact that it wasn't more crowded, but were thrilled to have more solitude. I hesitate to encourage more people to visit but I must say this place is the quintessential Maine beach. However, if you want boardwalks, restaurants and entertainment then please stick to the beaches in the southern part of the state since you won't find anything like that here.

    Stupid seagulls stalking for food
    Amy V.

    In my opinion, Popham is over-rated. It's certainly beautiful, and a great place to visit if you're a tourist, or have out of town visitors that want to see it. It's a State Park, it has clean facilities and sometimes even a Food Truck. There's lifeguards. The sand is hard to get through on the long path to the beach, if your lugging gear. It's deep sand that scorches your feet. Bring a RUGGED sand wagon. It'll help. The wind is usually crazy, so it's hard to keep towels down. The seagulls are dinks, aggressive and vicious. They WILL steal your food directly from your hands. They stalk you, and attack your bags the second you step away from your home base. So securely put away and ZIP and tuck away ANY and all food in tight closed containers. They WILL tear apart backpacks if they smell food. I'm not joking. It's best to eat at the tables up by the facilities and not even bother to bring food down to the beach. It's a good big beach, with lots of things to see, especially at low tide when you can walk out to the island. But be prepared for very large crowds, sometimes you can't even get in.

    Lots of drift wood around
    Jenna C.

    It's been a very long time since I've been here and I'll be coming here more frequently. The beach is amazing, very sandy, clean, and lots of space. We went on a hot day and I was worried it would be packed. We were still able to get parking and there was TONS of space free on the beach. When it is low tide you can walk out to Fox island as well. I would say it's like OOB without the massive crowds, traffic and overpriced food. There are bathrooms here which are very clean. And unlike at OOB you don't have to pay to use some of them or go into a nasty port-a-poty. Since it is a state park you have to pay to get in but children are free and Maine residents are $3 an adult. Not too bad really.

    Sophia G.

    The park was full so we drove down the road and we're lucky enough to find parking by the Fort. Great site to see and beautiful beach right next to it. Great activity for our family!

    From parking lot - middle way to beach.
    Adam H.

    This is probably my favorite beach to journey to. I also like it's proximity to other excursions like Fort Popham or lesser known Fort Baldwin tucked away in the wooded hill nearby. The beach gets hit from two directions, and when the tide is low you can walk out to a little rocky out cropping/island. Sunrises can be rather beautiful and few others on the beach then. I only came across one other soul on the beach. They have a scent changing area and restroom facility.

    Nikki S.

    Love this beach so far. Just relocated to Maine and have been waiting for warm weather to finally enjoy a beach day. We visited this beach on a chilly day in May and although it was a nice little walk on the beach and the rocks during low tide, it was freezing. Recently went back with my kids for a beach day and it was beautiful, still slightly chilly with the breeze but there was barely a cloud in the sky. We went during low tide again so that they could climb on the rocks and attempt to see some sea life (no luck). It was pretty packed when we arrived around 11 and we had to park along the over flow parking outside the parking entrance. Silly me, figured this would mean we would not have to pay to enter so I didn't mind the walk in. I was wrong, they still charge you full price to enter the beach area which I find absurd but oh well. It can get a little pricey the more adults you have with you but if you are a veteran, you can get in for free. Also, Watch out for the seagulls. They are pesky little thief's and will creep right up on you to steal your meal/snacks and then go tell their friends who will them swarm you waiting to attack. The downside, I did notice that many people that attend this beach really lack consideration for others and will walk right on top of your belongings, kicking up sand and what not all over you. I am not sure if they are locals or tourists since it's a pretty well visited beach by both in the summer but just be warned. The lack of respect for other peoples property is not really there. Overall, it's a great beach with so much space and the little water pockets left during low tide in between the sand bars is great for kids to play in. You have amazing views all around and can head just down the street towards the fort for Ice Cream when you are done for the day.

    Nicole G.

    This is the biggest beach (aka the most sand) I've ever walked on. It was a bit tough on my poor feet, but it was so worth it. Beautiful views all around and the horses walking on the beach made it more interesting! There weren't too many people here when we got here. It was cool seeing the driftwood piled up like teepees and partially covered in drifting sand. I would surely stop again to check out the fort!

    View from the big rock island thing, back onto the sandbar at low (going to high) tide. Gorgeous!

    See all

    Photo of Kristen S.
    145
    1420
    13364

    1 year ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Mark H.
    0
    23
    24

    10 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    10 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Todd R.
    218
    453
    1957

    4 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Robin B.
    88
    45
    14

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 7
    Thanks 0
    Love this 7
    Oh no 2
    Photo of Sophia G.
    2
    59
    214

    4 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    9 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Awesome huge beach! The fort is really cool too, just make sure to bring bug spray for the deer flies.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Nikki S.
    119
    93
    120

    7 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    9 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    16 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    18 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Nikki C.
    10
    85
    30

    6 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    6 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Eric A.
    1
    32
    33

    8 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    17 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Ann P.
    299
    2007
    268

    10 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Karen 2.
    189
    3022
    3147

    4 years ago

    so fun to explore. the water is so clean and fresh at this beach. sand is great too. would recommend

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    15 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    16 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    11 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 1
    Photo of Bob R.
    0
    120
    1

    8 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Alex G.
    130
    1875
    590

    17 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Terry A.
    12
    30
    20

    9 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    HUGE beach I mean HUGE! Clean bathrooms and changing rooms were a big place. Beautiful locations!

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    9 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Oliver P.
    39
    95
    12

    14 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0
    Photo of E W.
    0
    143
    25

    11 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    Page 1 of 2

    Ask the Community - Popham Beach State Park

    Are small dogs allowed?

    NO dogs of any size are allowed on the beach from April 1st through September 30th. After that, they are allowed but must be leashed.

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

    Review Highlights - Popham Beach State Park

    We went during low tide again so that they could climb on the rocks and attempt to see some sea life (no luck).

    Mentioned in 16 reviews

    Read more highlights

    Verify this business for free

    People searched for Beaches 537 times last month within 15 miles of this business.

    Verify this business

    Fort Popham

    Fort Popham

    4.8(8 reviews)
    1.2 mi

    The history and with an ocean view, there's no way I wouldn't love it! I have been coming here…read moresince I was a kid and it never gets old. I used to fish off of the rocks during high tide with my dad right next to the fort. We caught delicious mackerel. While I don't do that as an adult, I explore the fort, climb around on the rocks and enjoy the small beach area just as I did when I was a kid. It's not too big and not to small of an area. We love it. The fort is just so amazing and fascinating and while it was never battle tested, there's still so much to learn about the "why". They have done a great job adding displays with historical facts. I am so glad that it's not been vandalized like some of the other forts in Southern Maine/NH. Although some of the smaller fort nooks do smell like urine...ugh. Parking can be a challenge on weekends in the summer, and in some cases you might not be able to find a spot. We usually like coming here in the spring - April and in the fall - September. Bring bug spray or covering for your head and skin - the biting flies are aggressive!!!

    I love historical sites and Popham Beach so this place is perfect!! This park is the home to an…read moreunfinished pre Civil war fort that was built to protect shipbuilding in Bath and trade to Augusta. There are lots of great nooks and crannies to investigate. The tiny parking lot can be frustrating at times but that is just the way it has to be with such a limited space. No dogs are allowed in the fort, but the parking lot allows access to the beach in front of Spinneys which allows leashed dogs even during the summer! That being said, I beg dog owners to keep your pooch on a leash and pick up their waste so we don't blow a good thing!!!

    Photos
    Fort Popham
    Fort Popham
    Fort Popham

    See all

    Popham Beach State Park - beaches - Updated June 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...