Most visitors to this part of Maine come for Old Orchard Beach and the amusement parks. Those are worth the trip. But within 15 miles of Saco Bay Hotel there is a national wildlife refuge, one of the most-used boat ramps in the state, New England's largest salt marsh, productive birding spots that draw people from across the region, and a network of trails through forest and wetland that most tourists drive past completely.
Here is what is worth your time beyond the boardwalk.
Ferry Beach State Park
Two miles from the hotel. A 117-acre state park with a wide Atlantic beach (same sand as Old Orchard, far fewer people), 1.7 miles of barrier-free trails, and a stand of Tupelo (black gum) trees growing at the northern edge of the species' range. The Tupelo Trail is a 0.4-mile raised boardwalk through the swamp, flat and accessible for strollers and wheelchairs. Unlike anything else in the area.
Full detail in our Ferry Beach State Park guide. As a day: do the Tupelo Trail and White Oak Trail in the morning (about an hour of walking), then spend the afternoon on the beach. Day-use fee: $4.50 for non-residents, $3.00 for Maine residents 12 and up.
Saco River Paddling
The Saco River empties into Saco Bay at Camp Ellis, about four miles from the hotel. The river is a popular paddling destination, flat and manageable for beginners. Three public boat ramps serve the Saco River in the area. The state ramp at Meeting House Eddy is reportedly the most-used boat ramp in all of Maine, over 300 launches per day during peak season. Visit Maine has a dedicated three-day Saco River itinerary, which tells you something about the corridor.
Kayak and canoe rentals are available locally. Ask at the front desk for current outfitter options.
Camp Ellis: Fishing and the Jetty
Camp Ellis is the quiet neighborhood at the mouth of the Saco River, about four miles from us. The Camp Ellis Pier and Jetty is a working fishing pier and rock jetty that is well-known locally for mackerel and striped bass fishing. Charter boats operate out of Camp Ellis. The jetty itself is the prime angling spot and is busy most summer mornings with locals who know what they're doing.
Camp Ellis Beach is quieter than Old Orchard Beach, with bathhouses and paid parking in summer. Worth knowing on a day when you want sand without the carnival atmosphere. Huot's Seafood Restaurant has been a Camp Ellis institution for decades. Stop there after time on the water.
Scarborough Marsh Audubon Center
About 15 minutes north, Scarborough Marsh is Maine's largest salt marsh, 3,100 acres of tidal marsh, estuary, and upland habitat managed by Maine Audubon. The Audubon Center rents kayaks and canoes and runs guided naturalist tours through the marsh from late June through late August.
The marsh channels open into wider water, herons and egrets are everywhere, and the light in the late afternoon is something else. A different experience than the beach, and genuinely worth a half day. About 10 miles north of the hotel via Route 1. Rental season and tour schedule at maineaudubon.org.
Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge
About 15 miles south in Wells. The refuge protects over 9,000 acres of coastal habitat across 50 miles of southern Maine shoreline. The main visitor access point is the Carson Trail, a one-mile flat loop with gravel and boardwalk, 11 interpretive stops through salt marsh and upland forest. Free. Leashed pets welcome. Restroom at the trailhead.
Easy 45-minute walk. More informative than strenuous. The interpretive signs explain the salt marsh ecosystem in detail. For birders, the refuge is among the best spots in southern Maine during spring and fall migration.
Local Trails Near Saco
Several short-to-moderate trails are within Saco or just across the city line:
- Saco Heath Preserve Trail, 2.1 miles off Route 112. Wetland and upland habitat. Leashed dogs welcome.
- Horton Woods Trail, 2.4-mile loop near the Saco-Buxton line off Route 112. Moderate difficulty, about an hour. Leashed dogs welcome.
- Cascade Trail, 0.5-mile easy loop on Cascade Road. Good for a quick morning walk.
- Sylvan Trail, 1.6-mile lightly trafficked loop on Flag Pond Road. Leashed dogs welcome.
These are local trails, not destination hikes. But they are within a few minutes of the hotel and useful on a morning when you want to move before the beach crowds build.
The Eastern Trail
The Eastern Trail is a multi-use rail-trail that runs through Saco and connects to Old Orchard Beach, continuing north toward Portland and south toward Kennebunk. From the hotel it is a bikeable route directly into Old Orchard Beach without ever getting in a car. Bike rentals are available locally. Ask at the front desk.
Scarborough Beach State Park
About 15 minutes north of the hotel, Scarborough Beach is known for relatively warmer water, good surf for bodyboarding and paddleboarding, and a less crowded beach than OOB. The Scarborough Marsh Audubon Center sits right next to the park, so combining the state beach with a morning kayak rental is a natural day. No dogs April through October.
Drive to Ferry Beach State Park, do the Tupelo Trail boardwalk (30 minutes, completely flat, unlike anything else around here), then walk onto the beach for a swim before 10 AM. Come back, have breakfast, and figure out the afternoon from there. That is a better start to the day than any amusement park can offer, and it costs $4.50.