Scarborough Marsh Nature Trail

Scarborough Marsh Audbon Center provides a guided and self-guided walks along a nature trail as well as canoe tours and exhibits that allow visitors to explore the habitat and wildlife of Maine's largest salt marsh.
Trail Activity
Walking Hiking
Length
0.30 miles, Network
Difficulty
Easy, Moderate
Town
Scarborough
Surface
Grass
Pets
Not Permitted
Fees
No

Description

Owned and managed by the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, the 3,100 acre estuary known as Scarborough Marsh is the largest salt marsh in the state, comprising tidal marsh, salt creeks, fresh water marsh, and uplands. The marsh is particularly important for wildlife as a resting, breeding, and feeding ground.

The Scarborough Marsh Nature Trail starts across ME Route 9 from the visitor center. The short trail parallels the road, then turns onto an abandoned road and dead-ends into the marsh. Its final stage runs along side what remains of a canal dug during the American Revolution, to conceal ships from the British.

Opportunities to view the diverse plants and wildlife of the marsh, particularly birds, are abundant all along the trail. Some bird species you may expect to see include snowy egrets, great blue herons, black-crowned night herons, mallards, black ducks, teal, bald eagles, osprey, northern harriers, and red-tailed hawks.

Other Information

Recognizing that a significant coastal wildlife habitat was threatened, in 1957 the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife began the 20-year process of acquiring the marsh. In 1972 Maine Audubon initiated a partnership with the state to convert into a nature center an old clam shack at the edge of the marsh.

Today, Scarborough Marsh is a classroom for school children, a labratory for biologist, prime territory for fisherman and hunters, and a fascinating, ever-changing world for nature lovers. The visitor center also offers canoe rentals and a Maine Audubon Nature Store. An aquarium, mounted birds and mammals, and interactive exhibits are also featured at the center. All guided programs are led by trained naturalists.

Trail Manager

Visit the Scarborough Marsh Audubon Center online for more information or contact:

Maine Audubon, Scarborough Marsh Audubon Center

Maine Audubon, Scarborough Marsh Audubon Center
Phone: (207) 883-5100
smac@maineaudubon.org
View website

Nearby Events

VIEW EVENTS CALENDAR

Trail Tips

Respect Wildlife
Avoid unwanted animal guests: store your food and trash securely and keep your camp clean of crumbs and spills.
Legend
Hide All

Trailhead Information

From US Route 1 in Scarborough, turn east onto ME Route 9/Pine Point Road. The Audubon Center is located in 0.8 miles on the left and is a lone building in the middle of the marsh. Park here and the trailhead leaves from the other side of ME Route 9.

Click on a parking icon to get custom directions
Please Log In or Create Account to add comments.
These awesome businesses support our goal of connecting people to outdoor adventures in Maine!
Hang Tight!
Nearby services are loading
No Results
No Services Found
SHARE THIS TRAIL

Add Trail Log

Please wait…
Join In on the Fun!
Log in or create an account below to unlock all the great features of Maine trail finder: keep track of trails you want to do, preserve memories of trails you’ve done, earn badges, and more!
Your log in attempt was not successful. Please try again.
    Lost your password? Reset your password
    Don't yet have an account?
    There was an issue with your submission. Please try again.
      * Indicates required field
      Already have an account? Login here
      Enter your username, and we will send you a new, randomly generated password to your email account.
      There was an issue with your submission. Please try again.

        Success! A new password has been emailed to you.

        Log in now

        Please wait…