Activity Overview
Less than a half hour's drive from Portland lies The Desert of Maine, an unusual deposit of sand and minerals left behind after a glacier slid through Freeport, Maine approximately 11,000 years ago.
Meander around the grounds to see the giant sand dunes and the surrounding forest where one will find trees half covered in sand, along with wild flowers, mushrooms and wild blueberries. Narrated coach tours of the grounds are available as well.
Things to Do
- Go on a walking tour or hike through the marked nature trails.
- Children 12 years of age and younger can participate in a hunt for gem stones at no extra charge.
- Visit the Farm Museum, located in the 200-year-old Tuttle Barn, the only remaining building from the Tuttle farm, where you can see antique farm tools, sand paintings, and a world sand collection.
- The new Butterfly Room is sure to delight visitors of all ages.
- Purchase one of the glass bottles containing elaborate patterns of multicolored sand available in the Gift Shop.
- Make your own such bottle of sand for a small fee.
The Desert Of Maine Insider Tips
- Campsite available.
- Disc golf game available for campers from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. daily and for visitors to The Desert of Maine from 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. daily.