Mackworth Island State Park

I like to think of Mackworth Island as the Disney World of Maine Islands. Okay…maybe that’s a bit of an over exaggeration. But it’s definitely magical. While I was exploring, it truly felt like there was a new surprise around every corner, much like there is at Disney World. Well, minus the thousands of people, rides, people in costume, and overpriced food.

In 1946, governor Percival Baxter donated Mackworth Island to the state of Maine. It’s been said that the governor intended the island to be used for public purposes as a sanctuary for wild beasts and birds. Pretty cool, right? Today, it’s a protected state park that is highly trafficked by both locals and tourists.

To get to the island, take 295 north from Portland. Then, get off on exit 9 and drive north on US Route 1 and then turn right in 0.7 miles onto Andrews Avenue (it kind of comes out of nowhere, so be on the lookout). Then, drive straight over the bridge towards the cute, small white building, pay the parking fee ($3 for Maine residents, $4 for non-residents) and find a spot in the parking lot on the right. On warm summer days, this parking lot fills up quickly. Be sure to either arrive early in the morning (before 10:00a.m.) or try visiting on a weeknight.

Mackworth island is home to Governor Baxter’s School for the Deaf. Obviously, the school grounds are not open to anyone besides students and staff. But, the grounds are really fascinating to observe from the walking trails. I really feel like the school buildings have an extremely eerie feeling to them. Or maybe it was just due to the overcast weather. Either way, some of the buildings looked very unkempt. It gave me goosebumps.

Initially, I was drawn to this island because of it’s walking trail. Everything else I found along the way was just icing on the cake. The 1.4 mile walking trail wraps around the entire island. Most of the trail is relatively flat, making it family-friendly and easy to navigate. When the tide is low, almost the entire island is surrounded by beach. You can get to the beaches by following the smaller walking paths that veer off of the main path.

The beaches on the right side of the island provide views of East Deering, downtown Portland, the Eastern Promenade, South Portland, Fort Gorges, and Little Diamond Island. The left side of the island provides views of Great Diamond Island, The Brothers Islands, and Waites Landing. On a clear day, it might be possible to see even further.

While walking on the trail, I also stumbled upon various beautiful benches in memory of certain people that have passed on. A couple of them were cute, wooden bench swings that looked out over the water. They were perfect for enjoying a thermos of cocoa while the sun sets. Or having a picnic. Or…taking a nap.

Once you get about halfway around the island there is a stretch of trail filled with cute little fairy houses and gardens. This is a very popular spot for kids (and kids at heart). After passing the fairy village, I came across a boardwalk-type structure made out of stones that stretches out into the ocean. I would definitely recommend walking out onto this structure, because it provides great views of downtown Portland and surrounding islands.

One of the more unusual features of this island is Governor Baxter’s pet cemetery. It has several gravestones honoring the various dogs he had throughout his lifetime. According to the gravestones, most of them were Irish Setters. I would not be surprised if he bred them at one point. Fortunately, this walking trail is dog-friendly, so you can take your best furry friend on a road trip to check out this creepy cemetery. It’s very Stephen King-esque.

After visiting, it’s obvious why Mackworth Island is such a popular destination for all ages. It holds a rich history and unique features that can’t be found anywhere else. Some might even say it’s cooler than Disney World.

Keep exploring, friends!

Mackworth Island State Park

Wolfe’s Neck State Park

Lily Bay State Park