Crescent Beach State Park
Name: Crescent Beach State Park
Location: 109 Bowery Beach Road, Cape Elizabeth, ME 04107
Activities: beaches, swimming, nature watching, paddling, fishing, snack bar.
Dog-friendly: No
Hours: 9:00a.m.-sunset
Season: Year-round
Camping: No
Fees: Yes
Well, well, well. I can’t believe it’s not butter. Ahh—just kidding. I actually can’t believe it’s already mid-March. Where does the time go?! Although the calendar says March, it’s already starting to feel like Spring. Every afternoon, I find myself wearing less clothing on my lunchtime walk. Not to mention the fact that the sun continues to set later and later. With warm weather on the horizon, I can’t help but think about one of my favorite summer spots: Crescent Beach State Park, which is home to 4,000 feet of THE most beautiful white sandy beach in Southern Maine.
Crescent Beach was added to the park system in 1962 and opened to the public in 1966. It’s located right off of route 77 in Cape Elizabeth. There is an $8.00 entrance fee for non-residents and an $6.00 entrance fee for Maine residents, but trust me, it’s well worth it. Like most other Maine State Parks, it’s open year-round from 9:00a.m. until sunset.
After passing through the gate, it’s only a one-minute drive to the very large parking lot, which, if I had to guesstimate, could fit hundreds of cars. Easily. After securing a primo parking spot, there is so much to see and do! On the left side of the parking lot, you will find a large green building that is home to the bathrooms (that have running water, might I add), changing rooms, and showers that only run cold water, but still do the trick after a long, hot beach day. Other park amenities include a snack bar, picnic tables, grills, etc.
There are several boardwalks leading from the parking lot to the beach, so feel free to venture away from the beach area in front of the snack bar. The further you get from the snack bar, the more tranquil your beach experience will be. There are also some really nice shaded picnic/grilling areas in between the parking lot and beach, so be on the lookout for those as well.
Now, let’s talk about the beach. It’s about a mile long and crescent-shaped, which helps mellow out the waves. The small waves are perfect for kids and kids at heart. Another one of my favorite things about the beach is the sand. It’s milky white and oh so soft. It may be the softest sand i’ve ever touched. And it’s always clean. Well, as clean as beach sand can be.
For those that are more ambitious and not completely terrified of the depths of the ocean, there are kayaks and paddle board rentals available for day use. The last time we visited, they were closed so i’m not sure exactly how much rentals cost, but they’re available for those that are interested.
Conveniently located right next to the beach are the Kettle Cove Walking Trails, which provide fantastic views of the beach, the coast, and other nearby areas. I’m not sure how long the walking trails are, but i’ve been told they’re relatively easy and family friendly.
Complete your trip by visiting Portland Headlight, one of the most photographed lighthouses in New England, to catch the sunrise or a sunset picnic. Or, explore all that Two Lights State Park has to offer! Or, my personal favorite, stop by Maxwell’s strawberry field in July to see how many strawberries you can taste test while strawberry picking. Their strawberries are so delicious that my husband and I have made picking them an annual event.
Whatever you choose to do, you really can’t lose when spending a day at this gorgeous, family-friendly park. Oh, and don’t forget to stop by The Dairy Corner for a yummy ice cream treat on the way home!
