Barred Island Preserve
A mile through boreal fog forest to a sandbar that vanishes under four feet of water at high tide — the island is only yours for a few hours either side of low. Plan around the tides or you don't get across.
Barred Island Preserve is co-managed by Island Heritage Trust and The Nature Conservancy, a pairing that reflects how much this property matters. The 1.5-mile trail out is one of the best examples of boreal fog forest on the island: sphagnum moss carpets, shallow-rooted spruces, half a dozen fern species within arm's reach of the boardwalks, and soils so thin the roots are always exposed and often slippery.
At the end of the trail is a sandy beach and the bar itself — fully exposed at low tide, submerged under four feet of water at high. Time it right and you can cross to Barred Island and walk a loop around the small island with views of the surrounding bay. Time it wrong and you watch the zipper effect: waves lapping simultaneously onto both sides of the bar from the incoming tide.
The preserve gets heavy use in summer. IHT has been explicit: if both parking lots are full, you turn around. Parking on the dirt road is prohibited. No dogs are allowed — a stricter rule than most IHT preserves. The shallow, fragile soils are the reason.
Listen for Hermit Thrushes on the trail — their flute-like trills are among the best sounds in the Maine woods. Black-throated Green Warblers are common; Golden-crowned Kinglets haunt the spruce canopy overhead.
What Visitors Say
"A beautiful, beautiful place. The walk out it through the moss covered woods. A little tricky, with lots and lots of roots to step over. Once to the beach it's nice sand. Check the tide chart, if you can catch low tide you can walk out to little barred Island. It is small but can be difficult traversing the boulders and rocks. A worth while visit!!"
"Good hike. It was easy but took longer than expected. We were able to cross the sand bar to the island and it had gorgeous views."
"Nice walk. The neck is passable from a good three hours before to three hours after low tide. Nice mossy woods on the walk to the island, then dramatic rocky coastline."
Local Tips
- Check tide tables before you go. The bar is accessible for roughly three hours either side of low tide.
- Arrive early morning on weekdays — the parking lots fill by mid-morning on summer weekends.
- No dogs allowed. This is enforced.
- If the lots are full, come back another day. Roadside parking is prohibited.
- The mossy sections of trail stay wet even in dry weather — wear footwear that handles mud.
Connected To
- Settlement Quarry Preserve — another IHT preserve with ocean views and easier access; good alternative if Barred Island's lot is full
- Edgar M. Tennis Preserve — longer, more varied IHT hike on the same side of the island; coastal views, farm history
- Sand Beach — the closest sandy beach if you want a guaranteed swim after the hike