Walking along the beach
Unsurprisingly, Reid State Park’s two beaches — Mile Beach and Half Mile Beach — offer beautiful maritime panoramas. The Mile Beach Trail is a 1.6-mile out-and-back route that runs parallel to the rugged coast. On this 30-minute nature walk, you’ll have a front-row seat to the Atlantic Ocean’s moody waves. In addition to stunning seascapes, walking along Half Mile Beach shores will give you a glimpse of the unique coastal wildlife that thrives at Reid State Park. Areas of the park’s beaches are nesting and feeding areas for many species of shorebirds, including the endangered piping plovers.
Just off the coast, you’re likely to spot ducks floating on the water’s surface before they dive under in search of food (and maybe a surfer or two in the distance). To observe marine critters like hermit crabs and sea snails, you can gently explore the tidepools that dot the beach. Once you’ve finished wandering the shore, you can stop for lunch at one of the park’s picnic tables that overlook the Atlantic Coast.
Heading to higher peaks
Making your way to higher points in the park provides expansive vistas that reach well beyond the shoreline. Griffith Head is an overlook that offers unrivaled views of Mile Beach, the Sheepscot River, and several nearby islands, including Damariscove — a 210-acre historic island preserve that’s worth a visit if you’re in the area. You can also spot the lighthouses on Seguin Island and Hendricks Head. South of Griffith Head is Todd’s Point, another picturesque overlook that offers great opportunities for birdwatching.
Hiking the laidback Little River Trail will lead you through scenic coastal landscapes that hug the beach. The 2.8-mile path first winds through rocky oak-pine woodland that was once covered by an ancient glacier; if you look closely, you might spot seashells on the forest floor. From there, you’ll head along a ridge before reaching an observation point near a freshwater wetland on the east side of the trail, and of the Little River salt marsh from above. Maine’s coastal park is a must-see for nature enthusiasts seeking an oceanside oasis that doesn’t skip out on the views.
