Petit Manan Wildlife Refuge - Birch Point Trail

This trail offers excellent wildlife viewing within the Maine Coastal Island National Wildlife Refuge and provides a moderately long hike leading to observation points and salt marshes along Petit Manan Point.
Trail Activity
Hiking
Length
4.20 miles, Round Trip
Difficulty
Moderate
Town
Steuben
Surface
Dirt/Forest Floor
Pets
Permitted
Fees
No

Description

The Birch Point Trail begins in an open blueberry field and leads 2.2 miles to the salt marshes and mudflats of Dyer Bay. Along the way the trail winds over varied terrain through mixed-wood and spruce-fir forest providing excellent wildlife viewing opportunities. The trail, which follows old logging roads, is wide and mostly smooth, making it an excellent trail for a family or other group to walk side by side. Recent improvements in drainage and the installation of some raised walkways over wet spots and benches at scenic overlooks add comfort to the hike. Mostly out and back, it has a side trail to Lobster Cove and a loop at the end along cobbled beach with views of Sally Island and its bald eagle nest.The Fish and Wildlife Service has plans to install some creative interpretive signs soon that will explain the habitats and Refuge's management activities, and invite visitors to use their senses to explore aspects of the environment at each sign.

Other Information

Petit Manan Point is part of the Maine Coastal Island National Wildlife Refuge (MCINWR), a complex of islands and coastal properties, stretching from York to Washington Counties, managed and preserved primarily for seabird nesting and coastal wading bird habitat. The Refuge includes four mainland units and over 50 islands, protecting a total of over 8,000 acres.

To protect the refuge's wildlife and habitats, while using the trails please comply with the following:

  • The trails are open during daylight hours only.
  • Dogs are allowed on mainland divisions only and must be on hand-held leases no longer than 10 feet.
  • Blueberries may be hand-picked for personal (non-commercial) use; raking is not allowed. Snowmobiles, all-terrain vehicles and open fires are not allowed.

Trail Manager

Visit Maine Coastal Island National Wildlife Refuge online for more information or contact:

Maine Coastal Islands National Wildlife Refuge

Maine Coastal Islands National Wildlife Refuge
PO Box 279
Milbridge, ME 04658
Phone: (207) 546-2124
mainecoastal@fws.gov

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Trail Tips

Minimize Campfire Impacts
Use only small pieces of dead and down wood for campfires and let them burn down to ash. Please extinguish your campfire before leaving.
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Trailhead Information

Coming west on US Route 1 from Milbridge or east on US Route 1 from the Hancock-Washington County line, turn south onto Pigeon Hill Road in Steuben. Drive about 5.8 miles on the road to the Birch Point trailhead and parking area on the right. There is an informational kiosk and parking for approximately fifteen vehicles.

Click on a parking icon to get custom directions
Please Log In or Create Account to add comments.
kmclain13
April 30, 2023
Great trail for families. There is benches to take breaks and look out over the fields. There is a little sitting area off the first side trail makes a great picnic spot to sit and listen to the sounds and enjoy the ocean. Definitely a hike we will do again!
katherinehulme
July 26, 2020
This trail is very pretty. A couple of scenic points to stop at and look out, but mostly among the trees. There are a few open spaces filled with blueberries that are very pretty. It’s a great trail for young kids which is why I love it.
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