Popham Beach State Park Trail Conditions & Activities: Maine DACF (2024)

Safety Updates for Maine State Parks and Public Lands.

No Picnic Site or Grill Area Available - May 15, 2024 - Due to the winter storms, the East Picnic Area was lost to the sea. We hope to reestablish a new picnic area on the western side of the beach this year.

Park Events

No programs currently scheduled.

Location: On Maine Route 209 in Phippsburg, 14 miles south of Bath (Lat. 43.738436, Lon. -69.798309)

Park Hours: Open all year; 9:00 a.m. to sunset daily unless otherwise posted at the gate. NOTICE: Fee collected year-round at entry booth by staff or self-service station.

Popham Beach State Park is Maine's busiest state park beach. Facilities include bathhouses, fresh-water solar rinse-off showers, and charcoal grills. Sand movement resulting from beach dynamics has had a dramatic effect on Popham Beach, causing extreme shoreline change and dune erosion. Please support re-establishment of the dunes by staying on the trails to the beach and avoiding all vegetated areas.

Beach Safety

Tides - Visitors can walk to Fox Island at low tide, but are warned to pay attention to the quick-rising tides so as not to get marooned. See the current weather and tide links in the right column under Related Links.

Supersaturated Sand - How to Navigate Soft Sand Safely.

Be Shark Smart

Shark sightings are becoming more frequent in Maine and New England. Learn how to be shark smart this summer while visiting coastal beaches. This video, produced to to raise awareness and help people and white sharks co-exist peacefully, was developed by the Atlantic White Shark Conservancy, the Cape Cod National Seashore, Massachucetts Division of Marine Fishers, and officials from Cape Cod and South Shore towns.

Be Shark Smart to stay safe and to protect wildlife:

• Follow lifeguard instructions, signs, and warning flags.
• Be aware that sharks hunt for seals in shallow water.
• Stay close to shore where rescuers can reach you.
• Swim, paddle, kayak, and surf in groups; and avoid splashing.
• Avoid seals and schools of fish.
• Avoid murky or low-visibility water.

To learn more about white shark research and to download the Sharktivity App, visit www.atlanticwhiteshark.org

Activities Listing

Swimming & Surfing

• Swimming has right-of-way over all other water use, however do stay alert to your surroundings and the other recreational activities.
• Check the current weather and tide information by using the links found in the right column of this page under Related Links.
• Sandy beach at swimming area.
• The use of floating devices, face masks or snorkels is prohibited at surf beaches. Scuba diving may be allowed by permit obtained at the park. Please speak with park staff if you have questions.
• Know what to do if caught in a rip current; swim parallel to the shore until you clear the outward pull of the rip, then swim in to shore.
• Inexperienced swimmers and children should use caution and have experienced swimmers with them. Remember that shallow water can still be of danger and have strong currents too.
• Due to consistently strong currents, attempts to swim to the islands are strongly discouraged.
• Wheelchair accessible. Beach wheelchair available pending availability on a first come, first served basis.
• Surfers frequent Popham; experienced surfers especially enjoy winter surfing.
• Lifeguards are on duty mid-June to mid-August.

Pets

• Pets are not allowed on beaches between April 1 and September 30.
• From October 1 through March 31 pets are welcome on state park beaches, provided they are leashed at all times.
• Additional information about pets at state parks and historic sites.

Horses

• Are allowed on the beach from October 1 through March 31 however a Horse Beach Permit is required.

Picnicking

• No Picnic Site or Grill Area Available - May 15, 2024 - Due to the winter storms, the East Picnic Area was lost to the sea. We hope to reestablish a new picnic area on the western side of the beach this year.

Paddling

• Stand-up paddle boarding is a popular activity here.
• Sea kayaking is a great way to enjoy the coastline.

Boating

• The closest trailerable boat launch site is located on the Kennebec River in Phippsburg. This is a hard-topped 150-ft all-tide ramp. View other public boat launch locations.

Fishing

• Surf casting is popular, with Striper being the most commonly caught species.

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