The Trail

Island
Photo by Jim Dugan

The Maine Island Trail is a 350-mile waterway extending from Cape Porpoise Harbor, Kennebunkport, on the west, to Machias Bay on the east. The Trail winds its way along the coast, around magnificent and exposed capes, through protected saltwater rivers and quiet bays, and among islands large and small. It includes over 150 islands and mainland sites along the route, available for day visits or overnight camping.

Access

Most of the sites are accessible only by water in private craft; however, some mainland sites and campgrounds can be reached by car. Detailed information about the location of Trail sites is included in the Maine Island Trail Association Guidebook, a benefit of membership.

Public and Private Sites

The public sites on the Trail are owned by municipalities, the State of Maine or the federal government and are open to all. But many of the islands and sites on the Trail are owned privately and are open only to MITA members (or to other guests of the property owners). MITA's permission to access the private sites on the Trail is a very special privilege. The owners share these sites with us out of generosity, and receive nothing in return but a promise of good stewardship. To help retain access to these places, MITA members are asked to care for these properties as if they were their own, and to follow carefully the specific island use guidelines posted by the owners.

Conservation Partners

Many conservation organizations and other nonprofits who share MITA's values of stewardship, education, and public access have included their properties in the Trail system. In these partnerships, MITA provides recreational management and stewardship services on the conserved lands in exchange for member access. Collaborations of this nature are significant because they symbolize a united effort between nonprofits to preserve and protect the valuable resources of the Maine coast. We are grateful for the opportunity to work with these "conservation partners," and we encourage all Trail users to learn more about these organizations and the great work that they do. A listing of our current partners is below: