Popham Beach State Park — Attraction in Phippsburg

Is there a more stunning, breathtaking, soul stirring, rejuvenating, healing and incredibly beautiful place than this in Maine? I lived for four years in Popham village, and I will say once you have ANY level of connection to this place it’s like it never leaves you. I am so thankful a lot has been preserved and protected. It will never be an Old Orchard Beach. YAY! There is a lot more to Popham then the beach as well, with the multiple forts, the neat very old library, the beautiful, historic old church, the small park overlooking Atkins Bay, the trail that goes beyond the forts in the woods and branches down to Atkins Bay to the right (not a well trodden trail but doable if you are used to woods hiking)or if you stay on the trail it comes out close the ranger station. This trail is a peaceful place to go very few seem to know about. There are other hiking trails close by Popham as well. The best times in my book for visiting Popham are spring and fall. Spring is a great time to see a lot of seal and eagle activity and it is quite quiet. Fall is also quiet and like Spring no summer crowds and the pesky biting flies are gone. If you like horses, off season is the time to watch people ride horses as well. Winter is lovely and magical in a snowstorm. Sometimes you have the whole beach to yourself and you can almost hear the snow fall it is that peaceful. In storms the waves crashing on the back of Fox Island are absolutely amazing. You can see two lighthouses, Pond Island Light in close and Seguin Light (one of my favorite lighthouses; they used to give tours of it and might still be doing this I am not sure). Seguin Light is out a bit further, but not out so far you can’t get a good picture of it. So beautiful! Walking up the edges of Morse River is a quiet escape on a summer visit and a great place to observe a variety of shore birds and eagles. Going to the State Park makes for easy access to the beach for families with children. There are nice bathroom facilities and foot washing stations, picnic tables, etc. Park rangers are friendly and staffed with lifeguards in summer months. Popham...

30 year Compilation - Popham is one of New England’s best Beaches & State Parks, often in many TOP TEN lists, ( e.g. Down East Magazine, and many others) over the years!

Special Note: Forget about trying to find parking during a good day in the summer tourist season!

I’d actually rate this a 4.9 experience, when I have to turn around due to the long lines of cars waiting to get into this State Park/Popham Beach 🏖

What’s the Draw or Positives:

+Two Bath Houses/Restrooms

+One outside Toilet year round

+Good sized Parking lot , fills quickly

+Parking Passes available ( $105 year)

+Several picnic tables available

+Several charcoal grills available

+Three access paths/entrances to beach

+Off season horses & dogs allowed

+No Snack bars, No T-shirt places 😎

+Life Guards, at certain times

+At low tide, walk out to Fox Island

+Scenic views, Seguin Lighthouse 👍🏼

+Clean sandy beach , loads of room🏖

+Low tide, walk over to small island 🏝

+Bring picnic lunch with family/friends

From Rt. 1 in Bath, turn onto Rt. 209 South . . . drive for 13 miles to Popham State Park. You may wish to continue another 1.5 miles to the very end, at Fort Popham ( unfinished Civil War fort). Some parking available. . . and Spinny’s Restaurant, which was closed last year. I hope new owners purchase and re-open ! You will notice that cottages are available for rent between Popham State Park & Fort Popham, if wanting a vacation .

State Park Fees:

$6 Adult Maine Resident $8 Adult Non Resident Free Maine Senior 65 yrs. $1 Children. 5 to 11 yrs.

Fun Facts 😀

Maine has 48 State Parks

1607 = George Popham founded Colony

1609 = Popham Colony faded into history

1659= Phippsburg founded by John Parker II

1814 = Phippsburg incorporated

1862 = Construction started Fort Popham

1869 = Fort Popham abandoned

1912= Fort Baldwin finished construction

1969 = Fort Popham added Natl. Register of Historic Places

Maine has 25 military forts!

Maine has 5,000 miles...

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...