Birch Point State Park in Maine, USA - map and visitor information

Research checked: 2026-10-29. Check linked official notices before travel.

Birch Point State Park in Owls Head, Maine, is a beach-and-picnic stop overlooking Penobscot Bay. The crescent-shaped sand beach suits a short shore visit. Plan around two different access modes: the regular Memorial Day–Labor Day season, and off-season walk-in visits with facilities closed.

A short Penobscot Bay beach visit

Spend time on the sand, watch the bay or bring a picnic. The setting is the main attraction, so a visit can stay simple. If swimming is part of the plan, remember that the beach has no lifeguards.

Know before you go

Fees, hours, and seasonal access

An unguarded beach

Supervise children closely and decide whether the water and weather suit your group before swimming. No lifeguard service is provided. For an off-season outing, prepare for the lack of open facilities and return before sunset.

Seasonal pet rules and a clean shore

Pets are prohibited on beaches from April 1 through September 30. Where permitted, keep them leashed, attended and under physical control, and pick up waste. Do not feed or touch wildlife. Leave the picnic area clean and do not remove natural or historic features. Beach fires are prohibited; other fires belong only in provided grills or fireplaces. Follow posted restrictions, including hunting rules: hunting at Birch Point is prohibited from June 1 through Labor Day.

Prepare for a day visit

Check the official Birch Point information for gate notices before leaving. This beach-and-picnic plan depends on posted day access and suitable weather; bring the correct payment rather than relying on a card transaction at the park.

Use the Owls Head beach entrance

Follow Birch Point Beach Road off Route 73 in Owls Head. Do not navigate to the Camden Hills mailing address for this visit: that office serves park administration, while the beach entrance is in Owls Head. Outside the regular season, keep the gate clear when parking for walk-in access.

Other coastal park stops

Owls Head State Park is reached from Route 73 via Lighthouse Road and opens 9 a.m. to sunset year-round; do not assume its lighthouse interior is part of a park visit. Camden Hills State Park lies two miles north of Camden on U.S. 1 at 280 Belfast Road. If adding its Mt. Battie Road, check the early daily closing and winter closure before driving there.

Keep the outing focused on the beach

• Walk the crescent-shaped beach and look across Penobscot Bay.
• Use the picnic area during a regular-season visit.
• Swim only if conditions suit your group, with close supervision and no expectation of a lifeguard.

Picnic access and off-season limits

The park lists a picnic area for day use. Off-season visitors can walk in, but facilities are closed. Check the state day-use fee schedule for current concessions, and bring cash or a check for the park’s payment system.

About this Maine coastal park

The Bureau of Parks and Lands manages Birch Point as a state park in Owls Head. Its sand beach and picnic setting provide public access to the Penobscot Bay shore.

Public acquisition and conservation funding

The Land for Maine’s Future program helped fund the property’s acquisition. The Land and Water Conservation Fund also contributed to the park. Those programs connect the present beach visit with the work of securing land for public recreation.

Observe the bay without disturbing wildlife

Watchable wildlife is one of the park’s listed activities. Observe what is present from the beach, without expecting a particular species. The state park rules prohibit feeding or touching wildlife and require care with the park’s natural features.

Contact

Call 207-236-3109 during the regular season, or 207-236-0849 off season. Ask about the gate, conditions and the facilities relevant to your visit. The administrative mailing address is at Camden Hills, not the Birch Point beach entrance.