Footbridge Beach — Attraction in Ogunquit

there are so many beautiful beaches in southern maine, but when a walk by the ocean and the steady beat of surf are what you need to rewrite a really heinous day, then footbridge beach might just be your happy place. for sure, it's mine. you cross that wooden bridge spanning the estuary and suddenly you're in a different place--the dunes of the cape--but minus the mind-numbing hellscape that is route 3. the beauty of footbridge beach is simply breathtaking.

there's a small paid parking lot (free in the off-season), but it fills quickly on a summer day. plan to walk, bike, take the trolley, or call in a favor from a friend for a drop-off if you want a day at the beach and not at the parking lot waiting for someone to leave. the beach does get crowded--on a hot summer day it looks more like the jersey shore than anything you expect to see in southern maine.

footbridge is seasonally dog-friendly. dogs are welcome from the 2nd week of sept thru the end of march (basically when the plovers aren't nesting). however, the dunes and the endangered plovers are vulnerable at any time of the year, so even in the off-season if your k9 buddy is a wild child, pls keep him/her leashed. the dunes are off-limits to all, at any time. no dogs in the estuary. ever. there is a poop bag dispenser and a trash can at the front gate. (thanks to the town of ogunquit for this.)

on this cold, gray, wet st. patty's day, the beach was mostly deserted and perfect for a long afternoon of bullie ball in the rain with my little buddy. not a great day for photographing, but whatever. bullie gets that dirty dogs have more fun, so at the end of the day, if you're lucky enough that the dog and the car both have sandy bottoms, you're...

Footbridge Beach is hands down one of the top beach destinations in Maine. With its long, wide stretch of soft sand and pristine cleanliness, it’s the perfect spot to relax, sunbathe, or take a scenic stroll. The beach is accessible by a short, picturesque walk across the self-titled footbridge, which opens up to a truly stunning coastal landscape.

There’s ample paid parking nearby and while restroom facilities are on the smaller side, they get the job done. No dogs allowed.

The only real downside? Navigating Route 1 traffic during peak “summah” can be a pain. But honestly, that’s a small price to pay for this beautiful, peaceful slice of Maine coast. Plan ahead, get there early, and enjoy one of the cleanest, most beautiful beaches...

A nice beach 🏖️ with lots of seagulls and a few other types of seabirds. Nice view and a good place to take a stroll and listen to the surf. Paddle boarding and boogie boards are activities you can do. Half hour parking spots before entrance. The parking lot is expensive 🫰. $5 per hour. You can pay at the entrance or at the meter. I have been thrice and though it is very busy, I can find a spot to sit 🪑 and read without being disturbed. Public restrooms are available. I brought my friend and she liked walking along the shore. When high tide 🌊 arrives, it can swallow up the shoreline! I recommend a visit but have $ for parking 🅿️. Update: February 2024; On an unusually warm day and with the stairs removed, it is an...