Lampson
Castine and Penobscot
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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
Explore, Discover, Reflect
Visitors to Lampson should keep a pair of binoculars handy to spot songbirds along the trail, bald eagles soaring overhead, and the bobbing heads of harbor seals in the surrounding tidal waters. The nearly one-mile loop trail winds through meadows and forest to a scenic point on the Bagaduce, where you can enjoy a picnic and reflect on why places like this are so important to protect.
Features
How to Get There
From the junction of Routes 166 and 199 in Castine, follow Route 199 a few hundred feet northeast to the parking area on the right.
Explore the Map
Click on trails and landmarks to learn more about what Lampson has to offer.
Preserve Details
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Field Notes
Getting to Know Lampson
The Path to Conservation
In 1998, MCHT acquired this 21-acre property through a generous donation. It was later named the Starr and Virginia Lampson Preserve in tribute to a previous landowner.
On the Island
Lampson Preserve is a sloping riverfront property located along the Bagaduce River in the towns of Castine and Penobscot. Situated at the edge of a small cove known as Grindle’s Eddy, the preserve includes approximately 1,500 feet of shoreline. Its diverse habitats attract a wide range of wildlife—monarch butterflies, tree swallows, and deer frequent the open areas, while the forested portions are home to songbirds, wood frogs, and ruffed grouse. Along the shore, visitors can spot bald eagles, osprey, shorebirds, and harbor seals.
Stories from the Midcoast
Deepening Our Connections to Nature and One Another
Our stories remind us why we commit ourselves to the work of conservation. Here in Maine, nature is still big and bold enough to remind us that we are part of it. We want to make sure this remains true.
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
Volunteer Now
Be a champion
for conservation
Spread the Word
More Information on Lampson
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)