Cranberry Shores, Cranberry Isle
This 19-acre preserve tucked away on the southern shore of Great Cranberry Island offers splendid oceanside vistas and wildlife-viewing opportunities.
Cranberry Shores is great for:
Hiking – Follow the quarter-mile trail to the preserve’s rocky shoreline for spectacular views of the Acadia region.
Beachcombing – Explore the cobble beach in search of shells, sea glass, and signs of marine life.
Birdwatching – Visit Cranberry Shores during spring migration and scan the surrounding vegetation for songbirds returning to their breeding grounds.
How to get there
Great Cranberry Island may be accessed by a 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.
For a complete map with legend and guidelines, click on the Printable Preserve Map above.
Explore Great Cranberry Island
Great Cranberry Island has 45 year-round residents, but during the summer months the population increases to nearly 300. The island has a number of services available to visitors including public restrooms near the town dock, two cafés, a historic museum, and a public library. With the help of MCHT, the town also offers a public hiking trail that leads from the historic Cranberry House to the shore. Visit the Cranberry Shores Preserve as part of daylong adventure on the island.
Notes on topography, flora & fauna
A half-mile trail winds through spruce-fir, birch and red maple forests to a bold, rocky shore. From the shoreline, visitors are rewarded with a seascape panorama that includes Acadia National Park’s Baker Island. The preserve is also an excellent place to observe wildlife, particularly migratory songbirds, sea ducks, and marine mammals.
How this place became open to the public
MCHT acquired the Cranberry Shores Preserve in 2007.
This place belongs to all of us. Help us take care of it!
Preserve information/guidelines
- No Camping Permitted
- No Fires Permitted
- Stay on Established Trail
- Foot Traffic Only – Trails Are Not Suitable for Wheeled Vehicles
- Carry Out All Trash
- Including Human and Pet Waste and Toilet Paper
- Keep Pets Under Control
- Please Respect the Privacy of Preserve Neighbors
- Do Not Remove Archaeological Artifacts
