Bear Island
Deer Isle
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Guidelines
What You Need to Know
- No camping permitted
- Campfires permitted (with restrictions)
- Carry out all trash (see details)
- Stay on established trail
- Trail closed during nesting (see details)
- Keep pets under control
Why we Care
Discovery Awaits
Come ashore, stretch your legs, and find a picnic spot along the cobble beaches and ledges that surround the preserve. Stay a bit longer and explore Bear Island’s one-mile loop, which winds through evergreen forest and mossy floors, keeping an eye out for wildlife along the way. Before you head back out onto Eggemoggin Reach, you’ll see why we’re committed to preserving this scenic island.
Features
How to Get There
The best anchorage and shore access is from the beach at the southeastern corner of the island, located south of the bar and ledges. The northern shore is rocky, while the southern shore has shallower water and either gravel beaches or mud. The west-facing shore is all ledge and is connected to Little Bear Island at mid-low tide. The closest public boat launch is at Naskeag Point in Brooklin.
Explore the Map
Click on trails and landmarks to learn more about what Bear Island has to offer.
Preserve Details
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Field Notes
Getting to Know Bear Island
Donated to MCHT by the Davis Family in 2007, Bear Island is a relatively flat 21 acres, with a high point of approximately 40 feet near its center. The rocky shoreline features pocket beaches and extensive tide pools stretching toward Little Bear Island, which provide vital habitat for fish and other marine organisms.
While Bear Island is predominantly a maritime spruce-fir forest, large yellow birch and red oak are also found throughout. This forested landscape attracts an abundance of wildlife like red squirrels and white-tailed deer. It’s also a haven for bird species commonly found in coastal coniferous forests, such as the black-throated green warbler, golden-crowned kinglet, red-breasted nuthatch, and yellow-rump warbler.
The trail is closed from February 15th to August 31st to give the nesting osprey space to thrive. Bald eagles have also nested here in the past, so it’s important to check for any additional closures.
Stories from Mount Desert Island
How We’re Restoring Marshes
Many tidal marshes in Maine aren’t working the way they’re supposed to, but through restoration we can improve chances of successful marsh migration as sea levels rise in the decades to come.
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More Information on Bear Island
Campfires on the Island
While campfires are permitted, it’s important to check for any local restrictions.
Guidelines:
- must be smaller than 3 feet
- keep all fires below high tide line
- do not cut or break tree limbs, dead or alive
- leave no fire unattended
- completely extinguish all fires
Trail Closures for Nesting Season
The trail is closed from February 15th to August 31st to give the resident nesting osprey space. We have also closed the trail in the past for nesting bald eagles. Let’s help them thrive!
Help Us Take Care of the Preserve
This preserve belongs to all of us; that’s why it’s important to leave as little trace as possible when you visit.
To do that, please:
- Carry out all trash
- Carry out all pet waste
- Carry out all human waste (including toilet paper)