Cranberry Shores
Cranberry Isle
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Guidelines
What You Need to Know
- No camping permitted
- No fires permitted
- Stay on established trails
- Foot traffic only (not suitable for wheeled vehicles)
- Carry out all trash (see details)
- Keep pets under control
- Respect privacy of preserve neighbors
- Do not remove archaeological artifacts
Why we Care
An Island Adventure
Explore the short winding trail through spruce-fir, birch, and red maple forests to a bold, rocky shoreline where you can comb the cobble beach for shells and sea glass before pausing to take in sweeping views of Acadia’s Baker Island. A vital habitat, the preserve is also a great spot for wildlife watching, with migratory songbirds, sea ducks, and marine mammals often spotted here.
Features
How to Get There
Great Cranberry Island can be accessed by the public passenger ferry from Northeast Harbor and Southwest Harbor or by private boat. The preserve is located about 1.6 miles east of the town dock along the town road.
Explore the Map
Click on trails and landmarks to learn more about what Cranberry Shores has to offer.
Preserve Details
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Field Notes
Exploring Great Cranberry Island
Visitor services include public restrooms, two cafés, a historic museum, and a public library. As part of a daylong adventure, you can explore Cranberry Shores Preserve, the 19-acre property on the southern shore acquired by MCHT in 2007. With MCHT’s help, the island also offers a public hiking trail that leads from the historic Cranberry House to the shore.
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.
Be part of the movement
Contribute to a future with
healthy, open lands & waters
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Give your time to help
care for the coast
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Be a champion
for conservation
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More Information on Cranberry Shores
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)