With an expansive sandy beach, calm waters, gorgeous views, and not a whole lot of people around, Birch Point State Park is a serene and downright dreamy beach spot just a short drive from Rockland, Maine.
We loved finding such a sandy beach in the heart of the rocky coastline of Maine and if you are a sea glass collector, this beach is for YOU!
Parking Details:
There is one centrally located gravel parking area where you will have access to the shore and bathrooms (privies).
I would NOT recommend taking your camper with you when you plan to check out this Maine state park. Parking is somewhat limited and you have to drive down a somewhat long dirt road to get to the entrance of Birch Point State Park. When we went, there were a lot of potholes and washed out sections of the road that might make it difficult to navigate with a camper.
Playground Details:
There is no playground on site.
Hiking Trail Details:
There are no hiking trails on site.
Beach Details:
This pocket beach is absolutely stunning!
Note: A pocket beach is usually a small beach that is isolated between two headlands or points.
The beach is completely sandy with the exception of the cobble rocks that are essential components to the dunes here. In addition, there are smooth rock structures on the left hand side of the beach (when looking out at the ocean).
The waves are calm and gentle, making this a nice beach to romp in the water. I am not a fan of ocean swimming (#sharks) but if that’s your thing, currents are reported to be calm here.
There is no lifeguard at this beach so please take measures to always monitor children in your care when they are in the water.
To access the beach from the parking lot, you do have to maneuver over some small to medium size rocks. If bringing a stroller or beach wagon, plan to lift these over about 15 feet of rocks.
Picnic Details:
There are several individual picnic spots available with grills. They are tucked up on some grassy and shaded spots on the left hand side of the beach.
Location of the Passport Station:
If you are working towards collecting stamps for the Passport Program, you will be able to find the Passport Station at the entrance to the beach. Can’t miss it!
Fees:
| Adult Maine Resident | Adult Non Resident | Children 5-11 Years Old | Children under 5 & Adults 65 and older | Senior Resident | Senior Non Resident |
| $3.00 | $4.00 | $1.00 | FREE | FREE | $1.00 |
There is no entrance station at this State Park so bring exact change and plan to drop your fee into the canister that you will come upon when driving into the park.
*Maine libraries often have free Maine State Park passes available to their patrons. Check my blog to see if your library participates!
If you don’t see the pass listed with your library, don’t hesitate to reach out and ask them. Libraries frequently add museum and park passes to their offerings!
Bathroom Low Down:
There are two privies at Birch Point State Park. You will find them adjacent to the parking lot. Both privies have a small step that visitors will need to manage in order to access the privies. I am unsure, at the time of this posting, if the privies, themselves, are handicap accessible.
Visitor Accessibility:
I am disappointed to share that the Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands does NOT have accessibility ratings for Birch Point State Park. They also do NOT have a beach wheelchair available.
I shared my rationale for including accessibility ratings in the Intro Blog to the Maine State Park series and the fact that Birch Point does not have accessibility ratings just highlights the need for our State to do better!
Overall Impression:
We enjoyed visiting Birch Point State Park! It has a great beach that easily feels like it’s a secret beach that only the locals know about!
We were doing lots of exploring on the midcoast that day and only stayed for about an hour but we all wished that we brought our beach gear in the truck. The beach was just so serene! I really regret that we didn’t plan better for a stop at this State Park.
If you are looking for respite from the sun while there, you can find it along the left side of the beach where you will find a rocky knoll with some tall pines and picnic tables placed in great spots.
The water was incredibly calm and there were more than a few adults enjoying a swim.
There are no showers or rinse stations for sand so plan accordingly. I love using Burt’s Bees Dusting Powder. I learned several years ago that using dusting powder on sandy parts of your body is a GAME CHANGER!
Speaking of planning, here are the three things you will find in my beach bag!
- Solar Buddies Sunscreen Applicator: Pick your favorite lotion sunscreen and add it to this applicator. This applicator works a little better with thinner lotion sunscreens than their thicker counterparts.
- Snack Boxes: I have a good charcuterie board and these boxes are a perfect beach substitute!
- Wet Bags: I love being able to throw wet bathing suits into separate bags for the car ride home.
Thanks for following along! Another blog from the Maine State Parks series will drop in your inbox next Monday! Don’t subscribe yet? Add your email below and never miss a blog from The Wandering Chickadee!
Happy Adventuring! ~Natalie
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