Cutler Coast Public Land
Trail Name: Coastal Trail, Inland Trail, Black Point Brook Cutoff Trail
Location: Cutler, Maine
Distance: 1.4 miles-10 miles
Difficulty: Moderate
Pets: Allowed
Cutler Coast Public Land offers visitors 10 miles of hiking trails, 5 primitive camp sites, and panoramic Atlantic ocean views from every cliff! This land has a long history. It was utilized by the Native Americans for centuries, harvested for timber by settlers in the late 1700s and was home to a dairy farm and cheese factory in the late 1800s. In 1989, the State of Maine acquired the coastal portion of the land and in 1997, 9,485 acres of forest were donated to the State. Lastly, the Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands bought 570 acres, which brings the total land reserved to a total of 12,234 acres!
Cutler Coast trailhead and parking is located directly off route 191 in Cutler, Maine. It’s marked by a large sign, so you really can’t miss it. There are two parking areas. One is immediately as you drive in and the other is down the hill behind the first lot. There is a registration box for hikers to document how long they’re hiking for and whether or not they are staying at one of the five campsites. This is especially important for hikers that are planning to stay overnight because it tells others if there are any campsites available.
There are a total of 5 campsites available. Hiking is required to get to all of them. Black Point is the closest to the parking lot, it sits right next to Black Point Cove. Next closest is Long Point, which overlooks a large, pebbly beach that is secluded from the wind in a deep cove. Then, there are 3 Ferry Head campsites. They are the furthest away, but they’re also the most remote and secluded. The Ferry sites would be great for a group of hikers. Please be courteous and pre-register at the trailhead so other people don’t assume campsites are available when they’re not. There’s nothing worse than hauling all your stuff into a site to find that it’s already occupied for the night.
There are a few different trails in the park. The coastal trail gives off major Acadia National Park vibes. It starts off with a nice, gradual walk through a lush, spruce-fir forest complete with wooden boardwalks and plenty of roots to maneuver over. About 1.4 miles in, the trail opens up to the ocean and from here on out the trail continues to follow the cliffs until you arrive at Black Point Cove, where you can either loop back to the parking lot via the inland trail or continue along the coastal trail and loop back to the parking lot after passing the Ferry Head campsites. The remainder of the coastal trail winds in and out of the woods up and down the rocky coastline, providing fantastic views of the Atlantic Ocean. There are also several viewpoints and coves along the way, perfect for taking in the views and enjoying a snack or meal.
The inland trail is beautiful and definitely less challenging than the coastal trail. The terrain felt very repetitive and featured lots of open meadows and forest terrain. The trail also has no views, which isn’t a deal-breaker but I feel is important to share. This trail would be better suited for individuals that would have a hard time navigating the more challenging Coastal Trail.
Other than hiking, Cutler Coast also offers ample opportunities for whale watching, bird watching, people watching, and blueberry picking! We really enjoyed our overnight trip to Cutler Coast. The views were gorgeous, the terrain was challenging but rewarding, and waking up to ocean views at our campsite was unforgettable.
Happy exploring, friends!
