Ferry Beach State Park is two miles from Saco Bay Hotel, tucked between Old Orchard Beach and Camp Ellis on the same continuous sandy shore. Most people driving through Saco on their way to OOB have no idea it's there. That's exactly why we recommend it.
117 acres, a wide Atlantic beach, 1.7 miles of trails, and a stand of tupelo trees growing at the northern edge of their natural range. Botanists and naturalists make the trip specifically to see the trees. Most beach visitors don't know they exist. This is the park we send guests to when they want a beach day without the Old Orchard crowd.
The Beach
Same white sand as Old Orchard Beach, same Saco Bay, same gentle surf. The difference is who's there. Ferry Beach draws people who came for the park, so you get space on the sand. Swimming is allowed, and lifeguards are on duty from mid-June through mid-August. Outside that window you swim at your own judgment. Conditions are usually calm.
No pets on the beach or boardwalk from April 1 through September 30. The trails inside the park are open year-round to leashed dogs.
The Tupelo Trees
Tupelo (black gum) trees are native to the American South and mid-Atlantic. They're not supposed to grow this far north. The stand at Ferry Beach exists at the extreme northern limit of their natural range, which is why the naturalists and botanists make the trip specifically to see them. It's legitimately unusual.
The Tupelo Trail is a 0.4-mile path on a raised boardwalk through the freshwater swamp behind the dunes. You walk through the swamp without getting your feet wet. The boardwalk is largely barrier-free, accessible for strollers and wheelchairs. In fall, the black gum trees turn brilliant crimson. It's one of the most striking fall foliage spots in any small park in Maine, and almost nobody outside the region knows about it.
The Trails
Total trail network: 1.7 miles, mostly flat and barrier-free. The Tupelo Trail (0.4 mi) is the raised boardwalk swamp walk, and it's the one to do first. The White Oak Trail goes through tall deciduous hardwood forest. The Red Oak Trail is a forested loop under an oak canopy. You can combine all three in about an hour to an hour and a half, moving through beach, dunes, swamp, and forest inside the same 117-acre park.
Birdwatching
Ferry Beach is a listed birding hotspot on eBird (hotspot ID: L1590215). Warblers pass through in numbers during spring and fall migration. The swamp is productive. White-tailed deer, amphibians in the swamp, shorebirds on the beach. May is the peak month for warblers. Serious birders drive from Portland specifically for spring migration here.
The Saco River, Nearby
Camp Ellis, at the mouth of the Saco River, is about two miles from Ferry Beach along the same shoreline. The Camp Ellis Pier and Jetty is well-known locally for mackerel and striped bass fishing. Huot's Seafood Restaurant has been a Camp Ellis institution for decades, a good lunch stop if you're combining the beach with time on the water. Kayak rentals are available locally for the Saco River, which is flat and manageable for beginners. Ask at the front desk for current options.
Fees
Maine State Parks day-use fees (verify at maine.gov/dacf/parks): Maine residents (age 12 and up) $3.00 per person. Non-residents $4.50. Children ages 5 to 11: $1.00. Under 5: free. Maine residents 65 and up: free at all state parks. Annual Vehicle Pass: $105.
Hours and Facilities
Open daily 9:00 AM to sunset, Memorial Day through September 30. Changing rooms and restrooms next to the parking lot. Picnic area and group shelter. No food concessions on site. Bring your own, or stop at Huot's in Camp Ellis on the way back.
Best Times to Visit
Summer (late June through August) is when lifeguards are on the beach and nature center programs run. Good for families who want a beach day without the OOB energy.
Fall (September and October) is when the black gum trees go crimson and crowds drop hard. September is particularly good: water still warm, park quiet, foliage starting. Some of our guests specifically plan their visit around the fall color at this park.
Spring migration in May is the best month for birdwatching. Warblers pass through, the swamp is active, the oaks are leafing out, and the park is nearly empty. If you're a birder, May at Ferry Beach is the answer.
Getting There
95 Bay View Road, Saco, ME 04072. From the hotel, head south toward Old Orchard Beach and follow Bay View Road toward the waterfront. About a five-minute drive.
If you want a beach day without navigating OOB parking and weekend crowds, this is the answer. Same sand, same bay, two miles down the road. A state park fee instead of $30 for a private lot. Do the Tupelo Trail after the beach. Bring lunch. It's a genuinely good day, and almost every guest who tries it ends up recommending it to the next person who asks.