Popham Beach State Park

Great beach and great Ranger service members. Low cost to enter/park. Actually parking lot that is not all broken like much of maine. Clean beach with soft sand. Good wash/restroom facilities. Good times

This is a beautiful spot to spend the day with your family! During low tide you can let your kids safely swim and find seashells and sand dollars. As a local if you plan to come in the summer months go early in the day as it gets packed.

Nice beach. Soft sand and lots of space. The cost was a bit much since they charged us per person, instead of per car. So for 3 adults and 4 kids it was 29 bucks. I guess you get charged more if you have guests from out of town. However, after paying the fee we found out the bath houses weren't working. Not fun coming home with sand everywhere. 😕

Had a great visit to the park. Beach and facilities were very clean. We got there around 10:30am and easily found parking. Beach was very family friendly...it had tide pools at low tode which were great for our little one to splash around it. Would definitely recommend and plan to return. They did accept credit card payment for entrance fees. Note: Since this is a state park, it is not dog friendly in summer months.

Lovely beach, I have been coming here with my family in the summer since before I could walk and although the beach has changed due to the river and the many storms, it's still a family favorite. I went recently with my family this summer on August 16th. The water was so warm and delightful. I would say it's a very family friendly beach and an overall friendly beach, although you need to watch out for seagulls, they are extremely ruthless at this beach. I had a great time and found lots of cool marine creatures as pictured, a crab and even part of a jellyfish.

Very large expansive beach. Kind of a bit out-of-the-way for any town so you better have all beach gear and water you may need. There are bathroom, facilities, showers and clean water. Don’t be lazy go down the beach a bit to spread out and get a bit more privacy. Very interesting beach and very cold water.

(My essay about Popham Beach) Popham Beach in Phippsburg Maine is so wonderfully dynamic and inspiring (to me). It's very different at low tide compared to high tide, and there are two entrances, so that's 4 combinations right there. If you enter on the left side there is a big fort to explore and you can walk out to see Georgetown across the bay, then eventually an island lighthouse, and an island mansion. The beach then curves :) At low tide you can walk out at the curve on a sandbar to a big rock to climb and get some elevation. Another lighthouse can be seen in the distance. So that's the left side. On the right side there are very nice facilities with bathrooms and changing rooms and plumbing as it is a state park with all those amenities. That side of the beach is awesome as well, you can go left and walk to the other beach, if you like a long beach walk. There are cool cabins to see on the way. If you enter on the right side and go right, it's a bit different too. A nice variety. So all together I feel Popham is the best beach in Maine and quite dynamic. I find it inspiring. Of course it's nicer in very warm weather :) Life's a beach.

Loved this beach !! Seems like it gets very crowded, I went on an early Thursday afternoon and the place was packed. However, there is plenty of parking. There are two bathroom houses. One on each end of the parking lots. They’re equipped with the outside water showers for washing off sand. The actual beach itself is just magnificent. There is a sandy path that you can walk out towards a large rock structure. As you walk you can get waves crashing on either side of you.

Beautiful white Sandy Beach - We brought our beach chairs and were surprised when several seagulls dive bombed the people sitting near us To grab a sandwich - I was glad it Wasn't me but decided to do a sketch of it and gave it to the poor couple who We're visiting from out of Nee England- Entertaining to Put it mildly

We came in on a perfect day, mid week. Beautiful beach and not crowded, clean bathrooms and free sunscreen. There's an entrance fee, $8 for adults and $4 for children, $2 seniors, non-residents. Just beware because cell signal was spotty on the beach and you have to go to the parking lot to get a decent cell service.

Pretty beach, but quite crowded. $8 per person (discounts for children, Maine residents, and seniors). Arrive early (before 10am?) or parking will be an issue. We did notice on the way out that they had beach chairs and umbrellas to borrow. Wish we had seen that on the way in! We enjoyed our day here, but coming from California, I'm unaccustomed to having to pay for beach access (we did NOT park in the State Park parking lot). We visited another beach the day prior (from Bates-Morse Mountain Conservation Area) and thought it was nicer, mostly because there were less people (and it was free!). But still, can't complain about a day at the beach! Kids loved it. Small waves, cool (ok, COLD) water, and beautiful backdrop. Worth the cost to see and experience.

Itzhak's first and last beach in Maine we love Popham the tide pools are amazing for young kids. At high and low tides we are able to walk the sand bar to the island. Will miss Popham Beach

Spent 5 hours today soaking in the sun at our favorite beach. We were surprised a bit by the fact that it wasn't more crowded, but were thrilled to have more solitude. I hesitate to encourage more people to visit but I must say this place is the quintessential Maine beach. However, if you want boardwalks, restaurants and entertainment then please stick to the beaches in the southern part of the state since you won't find anything like that here.

Very large beach, especially during low tide. There are a few large rocks/islands that you can walk out to at low tide and the beach wasn't overcrowded. Not much in the way of sealife by the shore but we did see some small fish and a few shells.

The park was full so we drove down the road and we're lucky enough to find parking by the Fort. Great site to see and beautiful beach right next to it. Great activity for our family!

In my opinion, Popham is over-rated. It's certainly beautiful, and a great place to visit if you're a tourist, or have out of town visitors that want to see it. It's a State Park, it has clean facilities and sometimes even a Food Truck. There's lifeguards. The sand is hard to get through on the long path to the beach, if your lugging gear. It's deep sand that scorches your feet. Bring a RUGGED sand wagon. It'll help. The wind is usually crazy, so it's hard to keep towels down. The seagulls are dinks, aggressive and vicious. They WILL steal your food directly from your hands. They stalk you, and attack your bags the second you step away from your home base. So securely put away and ZIP and tuck away ANY and all food in tight closed containers. They WILL tear apart backpacks if they smell food. I'm not joking. It's best to eat at the tables up by the facilities and not even bother to bring food down to the beach. It's a good big beach, with lots of things to see, especially at low tide when you can walk out to the island. But be prepared for very large crowds, sometimes you can't even get in.

It's been a very long time since I've been here and I'll be coming here more frequently. The beach is amazing, very sandy, clean, and lots of space. We went on a hot day and I was worried it would be packed. We were still able to get parking and there was TONS of space free on the beach. When it is low tide you can walk out to Fox island as well. I would say it's like OOB without the massive crowds, traffic and overpriced food. There are bathrooms here which are very clean. And unlike at OOB you don't have to pay to use some of them or go into a nasty port-a-poty. Since it is a state park you have to pay to get in but children are free and Maine residents are $3 an adult. Not too bad really.

We got there later in the day so it was closed. But we enjoyed the beach nearby. Since it was evening, there were lots of bugs. So we didn't stay long. If you want to enjoy the park at its fullest, go earlier!

This is probably my favorite beach to journey to. I also like it's proximity to other excursions like Fort Popham or lesser known Fort Baldwin tucked away in the wooded hill nearby. The beach gets hit from two directions, and when the tide is low you can walk out to a little rocky out cropping/island. Sunrises can be rather beautiful and few others on the beach then. I only came across one other soul on the beach. They have a scent changing area and restroom facility.

Awesome huge beach! The fort is really cool too, just make sure to bring bug spray for the deer flies.

The absolute best beach north of Portland and quite frankly the longest stretch of beach north of Portland. I've been coming to this secluded beach almost all of my life. So I may be somewhat impartial. It's a quiet, typically calm recreational area. You can walk out to Fox Island at low tide, be sure you pay attention to the tidal time. It is absolutely not safe to walk across when water is coming across the sandbar. Great place to bring the family. Be on the lookout for sand dollars and Asian hat shells!

Love this beach so far. Just relocated to Maine and have been waiting for warm weather to finally enjoy a beach day. We visited this beach on a chilly day in May and although it was a nice little walk on the beach and the rocks during low tide, it was freezing. Recently went back with my kids for a beach day and it was beautiful, still slightly chilly with the breeze but there was barely a cloud in the sky. We went during low tide again so that they could climb on the rocks and attempt to see some sea life (no luck). It was pretty packed when we arrived around 11 and we had to park along the over flow parking outside the parking entrance. Silly me, figured this would mean we would not have to pay to enter so I didn't mind the walk in. I was wrong, they still charge you full price to enter the beach area which I find absurd but oh well. It can get a little pricey the more adults you have with you but if you are a veteran, you can get in for free. Also, Watch out for the seagulls. They are pesky little thief's and will creep right up on you to steal your meal/snacks and then go tell their friends who will them swarm you waiting to attack. The downside, I did notice that many people that attend this beach really lack consideration for others and will walk right on top of your belongings, kicking up sand and what not all over you. I am not sure if they are locals or tourists since it's a pretty well visited beach by both in the summer but just be warned. The lack of respect for other peoples property is not really there. Overall, it's a great beach with so much space and the little water pockets left during low tide in between the sand bars is great for kids to play in. You have amazing views all around and can head just down the street towards the fort for Ice Cream when you are done for the day.

This is the biggest beach (aka the most sand) I've ever walked on. It was a bit tough on my poor feet, but it was so worth it. Beautiful views all around and the horses walking on the beach made it more interesting! There weren't too many people here when we got here. It was cool seeing the driftwood piled up like teepees and partially covered in drifting sand. I would surely stop again to check out the fort!

We are new to the area, and I stopped by the beach to inquire about regulations & information during these crazy times (mid COVID). Paul was extremely informative, and not only explained to me how the beach operates (knowing I am not originally from Maine), but he broke down COVID guidelines, rules, and regulations expertly. He also explained each pass and what they entail, then helped me find the one perfect for myself and my situation. He answered each of my questions with full, helpful responses. Though Paul was extremely informative, he also had wonderful hospitality skills and was not afraid to implement his humor into our conversation. The beach itself is beautiful. Granted, they just opened for the season, late because of the health concerns regarding coronavirus, but nonetheless the beach was clean, and well maintained. There is no trash, due to the fact that there is more than enough garbage cans to decrease possible litter. Bathrooms are VERY well maintained. This is one of the better beaches I have visited and very excited to have a pass to treat myself this year! Thanks Paul!

This is a little slice of heaven! I Love the beach! This spot is local to Brunswick, Augusta, and Wiscasset. There is a large parking lot, with showers and bathrooms! The park is all beachfront...So please pack out what you pack in! The island is a nice spot to spend a couple of hours. Just don't get caught out there when the tide is close to being high. There is plenty of beach here for everybody. So spread out, just stay off the dunes! There are also tidal pools and driftwood. So have fun exploring!!! The rip tide is strong, so please be careful.

so fun to explore. the water is so clean and fresh at this beach. sand is great too. would recommend

Hands down the best beach in Maine! Beautiful sunrise and sunset. Year round a great beach to walk or run. At low tide you can walk out on Fox Island. The facilities are just bathrooms and changing rooms.

Popham is stunning!! And only one peninsula west of Reid State Park. I heard that it went through some rough times in the last couple years, with storms battering the dunes and eroding/reshaping the beach. It had been so long since I had been here that, despite warnings of little parking space on such a kickass day, I had to drag Dave there. The drive out there is just one road, route 209, which can be directly accessed from route 1. There is a back road option, but very narrow, windy (yet pretty in spots) and not in great shape. The beach is out on a point, like a miniature cape, with the beach being on the elbow, and old Fort Baldwin at the knuckles. A couple fantastic seafood restaurants sit at the wrist (Percy's and Spinny's) while a B&B or two freckles the limb. Parking is available at the beach for a fee (dependent on resident or out of state, $4-10), and at the Fort, but when these lots fill up, the restaurants take on the load at $7-10 a pop. Dave and I arrived just after noon, and lucked out after a drive around, with a spot next to the east side beach house in the main lot. The storm issues were evidenced by the steep wooden steps, and sketch-o "handicap" ramp that dropped about 10 feet in elevation from the lot to the sand. Be careful! Favorite feature If you can hit the timing right, somewhere between low and high tide (plenty of range for ya), you can walk out to the big rock island thing that is situated out the elbow of the beach (most easily accessed on the east side of the parking lot). From the top of the rock, you get a ridiculous view of the sand bar leading out to it, and the rest of the beach. The water sits shallow, but is very cold!! And even on a hot day, you're cooled by the gorgeous ocean breeze (it was easily 100 inland, but about 80 on the beach). Just perfect for reading, photography, napping, running, or maybe some sloshy wet push-ups like that weird dude doing exactly that...

Awesome state park while visiting Maine. Prepare to spend the day walking the shore line, swimming, hunting for wildlife, and walking out to the islands during low tide. Perfect spot for families with kids. Bring lunch and stay all day, no food is sold in the park. Views of the ocean are nearly 300 degrees around you. Good parking, showers, and bathrooms are available. $8 per adult for admission, and a few dollars for kids. We visited Maine for a seven day trip and this park was truly the highlight.

A beautiful beach in the middle of freekin nowhere. An cool old revolutionary old fort in ruins is also on the property. My family used to vacation here when I was a wee lad. Bluefishing right on the beach. A very quiet and solitude place, which I did not appreciate at age 13. I am sure I would feel differently today if I went back.

Low tide, this is a fun spot to walk the flats and climb the massive rock formations. The water is cloudy and FREEZING. Green heads rule the beach. Watch out. 8.00 pp for non Maine residents. Clean bathrooms and cold showers for after. The sand is copper glistening brown. It was a nice diversion after a long morning of hiking but man, how do folks ever get used to the cold water up here?

I really enjoyed my time here with my dog. Though the state website says it is dog friendly year round, there is a sign that denotes it is only dog friendly from April 1-Oct 1. A bit wary as a tourist, I asked some locals and they said dogs are always welcome. The helpful observation of other dogs also cleared the matter up for me. As long as they are well-behaved and on-leash, let them in! I say. My pup and I played on the beach near the parade grounds. It was calm, quiet and beautiful. We had the beach to ourselves until around 10:20am when some families arrived. They were tolerant of my dog chasing her ball in the water off-leash, which I appreciated. I was sure to ask them when they arrived if I was okay to continue, which they readily agreed. There is a restaurant if you need a bite to eat and some Civil War Era parade grounds to explore; with a dog, I wasn't allowed into either, but both looked nice. This is really a great area for a picnic, for families, for relaxing. Highly recommend (at least at shoulder season in early May!).

Been coming here for years - always try and time it for low water as it is when park at most interesting. Enjoy walking to fox island and the headwaters or the Morse river. It gets crowded quick - they honor vet discount and the place is spotless. Recommend hitting perceys store on way out - best place!

This is a public beach that is maintained by the state. The beach is wide, clean and sandy and at low tide there is an island you can walk to. It's a favorite of families although you can also do some surf fishing here. The park is much larger than just the beach, but most people partake only of the beach and the swimming. There are no hiking trails here, but there is some surfing. There is usually ample parking, but in the high summer the beach can get crowded and parking can be scarce, so come early. There are fees for the beach and depending on the number of kids you have with you it can get steep, especially if you plan on repeated trips. They do offer a season pass for the family that may be worth it to some. There are flushing toilets, showers, and running water at the beach. I didn't see an amenities stand, but then I was there when the beach was empty and so there may be one, but I would still plan on bringing your own food and drink anyway. There is an adjacent historical site (Civil War Ft. Popham) that is not really part of the park, but is nearby at the end of Popham Road (SR 209). It's free to explore and is a good for children. There is a rocky shore that at low tide is good for beachcombing and you can fish off the top of the fort. The fort is still in the stages of being excavated and restored. The historic site is free but the parking is very limited. The nearby pier is public.

Absolutely beautiful! The beach is really clean and huge! Parking can be problematic but that is to be expected for such a nice destination. There is a web site where you can sign up for parking status text messages. Go at 8:30 am and wait in line for when they open at 9 or 2:00-2:30 on week days. Bring sneakers for climbing the rocks. There is an island that you can walk to when it is low tide. Highly recommended! There is also a fort within 1 mile where you can often see seals basking on the rocks.

HUGE beach I mean HUGE! Clean bathrooms and changing rooms were a big place. Beautiful locations!

The sand goes on forever - or so it feels to a landlubber like me. Beautiful sand dunes, lots of parking, and every body in the state of ME shows up on a warm day. The drive to get there is pretty twisty and turn-y, so if you have a car sick prone dog (like me), be sure to cover your car seat with towels. The drive there is beautiful, too.

This park is a treasure! There is a HUGE sand beach, very rare in Maine, and restrooms with showers by the parking lot. The best part, though, is the natural bridge that forms at low tide and allows you to walk out and explore Fox island! The island is uninhabited and incredibly beautiful. From the top you can see lots of other small surrounding islands with lighthouses. Make sure to wear good shoes, though, because it is very rocky and you will want to be able to climb around. Get an up close view of the waves crashing against the rocks and marine life in the residual tidal pools. Water is too cold for us, but there were some brave swimmers who looked like they were having a good time too! Get some amazing etherial photos at sunset! I believe entry fee was $6 per adult for non-Maine residents, but they do take card. I've heard from locals if you camp there you can have a fire on the beach and sleep under the stars-not sure if this is still the case, but that is a rare opportunity indeed.

The drive alone to this beach is breathtaking! Windy (curvy, not blustery) roads through a forest will drop you off at this beautiful beach. The sand is some of the finest, purest sand my feet and hands have ever touched. I'm from Southern California, so the beaches in Maine are 100% different from the beaches I grew up with. Most of the California beaches have excessive sea weed, rough waves that leave a load of sand in that pointless crotch pocket of your bathing suit, and violent rip currents. But not this particular beach! The waters were calm and still, with soft sand floors and minimal seaweed. If you're looking for a place to surf, this probably isn't the right place for you, but there are mild to moderate waves that a boogie board would create hours of fun for anyone. Hey! And how about not getting slapped in the face with a wave and swallowing saltwater? Yes please! This beach is the place to be! Can you tell I'm middle-aged? You can bring a nice sized, inflatable pool toy, swim it out past the break and float. Rest assured you will not be assaulted by a mood-crushing wave. This beach provides changing rooms and full showers if needed, along with the "ain't nobody got time for showering" foot showers. Ample parking available (this probably varies though depending on time of day and season). I can't quite recall if there is a parking fee, but I'm sure Uncle Google knows. If you are looking for a beach to relax, picnic, swim, go on a date, etc., come to Popham Beach. It was an unexpected find and I'm glad my wife and I were able to visit this beach before we headed back home from our vacation.

We definitely enjoyed the visit to both the fort area as well as the state park. We may have experienced the last warm day of the year and took advantage by walking out on the beach. Some many great views that led to some terrific pictures. I imagine the park/beach is a highly popular destination in the summer. We took a quick drive over from Bath. If you are in the Bath area, take the detour for at least a quick visit.

A real hidden treasure, sandy quiet and in the middle of nowhere. It's got an 'island' close by that's accessible via sandbar during low tide. Wish I could have stayed there all day. Price is high though, 6 bucks per person (yes, they count you in the car) for non-Maine residents. There are other ways of getting in, however.

I stayed in Phippsburg, Maine for about a week and the nearby attraction was Popham Beach State Park. The first day we went, we were all in awe of how gorgeous and clean this beach was. I have never seen a beach so sprawling and the fact that you could basically walk out into the middle of the ocean and the water only be up to you ankles was amazing. The only bummer about this place is the $8 per person (out of state) charge. Ouch. But otherwise, it was an awesome place to hang out for a few hours while on our trip!

The fort, next door to the park area, is a great example of a Civil War era fort. Thick walls, ramparts, and a tower make this a great spot for a short exploration. Warnings: the stairs are very unsafe; take kids by the hand. The bathrooms, just outside, are horrible wooden outhouses, and don't look like they've been cleaned or emptied in a long time. Smelly! The beach itself overlooks sand bars and tall grasses, but if you go at high tide there is NO beach. The water comes up to the grassy dunes at high tide and there is no actual beach then. Better choices are Thomas Point or Reid State Park.

Absolutely the best beach in all of Maine! Avoid touristy Ogunquin and head here. Sooo glad we did! $4.50 per person-best money we've spent! The sand bar appears at low tide and the beach transforms. You can walk easily to the island! After visiting the beach, go to Dolphin Marina for an inexpensive awesome dinner on the water (indoor seating only but the have an outside deck) in Harpswell. Amazing day!

Excellent beach, and I've been all over the world. We arrived at low tide, so there were long stretches of sand to walk on. We went out to the "island" to look at tidal pools (wear sandals or water shoes) -- these were small, hard to get to, and not at all good for small kids. The warm sand helped warm the water, though some of the locals said the water was much warmer than usual. As the tide started coming in, the water started pouring "up" a small river that cut through the beach, You could get in the river and then float up it on your back. The current was very fast, and the water (warmed by the sand) was comfortable. We spent close to an hour riding up the river, walking back, and then riding up again. The water was never more than waste deep on your average adult, but it was hard to stand in it, the current was so strong. Luckily, the current pushed you up the beach until it was only a foot deep. The seagulls are a problem. One swooped in (with no warning) and stole my daughter's sandwich right out of her hand. They pretty much left us alone after that, but we were much more careful around them after that.

Drove here from the Portland area to spend a much-needed family day at the beach, and thought we were arriving early enough at 10:45, but the parking lot, the street, and the lots down the road near Fort Popham were already full. Rangers said the lot was full at 10:30. Lesson learned--on a nice summer day, even on a Sunday, get here as close to opening as possible.

There is so much to do at this beach! Great for body surfing, exploring the islands and tidal pools at low tide and just enjoying the day at a huge beach that is never crowded. Although there are rocky areas, there is also plenty of packed sand for sand castle building. The day we were there a group of 20 or so people were also building a magnificent driftwood sculpture.

This is one of my favorite beaches on the coast. It has a huge sandy coast line, with gorgeous views. It is filled with shells and sand dollars if you search. At low tide, there is a rocky island you can walk out to on the sandbar. There is lots of room to spread out, so you don't have to be squished close to your neighbors. The parking is limited, so be prepared to be early or park on the road. There are lots of seagulls to observe and be entertained by, but they are quick to steal the sandwich right out of your hand or your unzipped beach bag. There are plenty of waves for body boarding and I even saw a few people attempting to surf. There is a lot Fort Popham to explore. It is open from 9am-sunset. No pets allowed until October. It is $4 admission for maine resident adults.

What a treat to visit this beach/park. We are from Florida and we definitely know beaches - but these place is so unusual. We came at the right time (low tide) and was able to walk out to rocky areas. We really enjoyed our time there. Definitely worth the visit and we'll come again if in the area.

Never expected to see such an expansive sandy beach this far north. Nice views, nice sand, nice bathrooms

Beautiful, nuanced beach. Love ocean beaches where you can look out to islands, walk through tide pools and get privacy even on perfect, summer weekend days. Our kids played here all day, so excitedly. Surf was calm enough even for our 3 year old by herself. Went back 2 days later - another great day.

Go at low tide so you can walk the beach for miles. Dog park next to parking lot. Lovely.

Spinnies is great if you want to wait 45 mins for the brilliant youth of Phipsburg ME to microwave your dinner. The food tastes bland and the waitress was rude to my entire family. I would rather eat the owner's fake wax fruit than eat Spinnies Microwave food

A Bias Review I lived there, Big green house on left side just before you get to fort, next to the castle house. Beautiful Place!!! oh the fort, (ruins?), it could still kick the you know what out of the Brits. Very picturesque! Anyone say a movie was made there? How bout a Lighthouse? Lot left out, check it out, yes parking by fort can be a problem.

A little piece of California in Maine! What a wonderful massive sand beach, and well cared for by the Park Rangers/Staff. We'll be back!

One of the best beaches on the East Coast. Lots of privacy if you don't mind a short walk down the beach....