Washington County – Coast, Nature, and History

When looking for a hotel in Washington County, it helps to first decide what you want to focus on during your stay. Coastal landscapes, trails through varied habitats, and historic sites provide practical points to consider when planning your trip. You can also factor in the distance and visitor conditions for each destination as you make your choice.

Landscapes and trails through protected areas

Quoddy Head State Park covers 541 acres at the tip of the easternmost peninsula in America. Among its distinctive landscapes is Carrying Place Cove Bog, a National Natural Landmark. Moosehorn National Wildlife Refuge protects nearly 30,000 acres of varied landscapes along the coast of Maine, including rolling hills, rock outcrops, streams, lakes, bogs, and swamps. Nature observation and photography, as well as fishing, hunting, and hiking, are year-round activities in the refuge.

Moosehorn National Wildlife Refuge has more than 50 miles of roads closed to vehicles and trails for hiking, biking, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing. Individual routes vary both in length and in the landscapes they showcase. The Hollingsworth Trail at Petit Manan Point is a 1.8-mile loop with views of heathlands and pebble beaches. The Birch Point Trail is a four-mile out-and-back route through a blueberry field and mixed forest to the salt marshes of Dyer Bay. In Petit Manan National Wildlife Refuge, trails pass through coniferous forests, grasslands, freshwater and saltwater marshes, and mudflats; birdwatching, hiking, and photography are possible there.

Trail descriptions also help when comparing routes: the Hollingsworth Trail is described as a loop, while the Birch Point Trail and Shackford Head Overlook are out-and-back routes. The latter is 1.2 miles long and offers views of Cobscook Bay and its surroundings. Shackford Head State Park covers 90 acres on Moose Island and overlooks the bay.

Coast, beach, and water

The Coastal Trail along the Cutler Coast offers views of Grand Manan Island and the Bay of Fundy. Wooden ladders provide access to pebble beaches. At Quoddy Head, the peninsula setting and designated park area combine with views of the coastal landscape; nearby Carrying Place Cove Bog adds a distinctive protected landscape to this natural area.

Roque Bluffs State Park has a half-mile, crescent-shaped sand and pebble beach on Englishman Bay. Just behind it is the shallow, 60-acre Simpson Pond. You can canoe or kayak on the pond. The beach and pond offer two different water experiences in one place: one is defined by its location on the bay and its mix of sand and pebbles, while the other features shallow water and the opportunity to paddle.

Cobscook Bay State Park is open for day use year-round, daily from 9:00 a.m. until sunset, unless otherwise posted at the entrance. Its Nature Trail is a two-mile out-and-back route with views across Whiting Bay and Burnt Cove. You can take these hours and the route description into account directly when planning; the opening information explicitly allows for different notices at the entrance.

History, culture, and seasonal offerings

Ruggles House in Columbia Falls is an example of early 19th-century Federal architecture in New England. It has operated as a museum since 1951, with tours covering early American life and the cultural history of Washington County. The museum operates seasonally. In Machias, the Burnham Tavern Museum was built in 1770 by Job and Mary Burnham. It is the oldest surviving building in eastern Maine. Preserved architecture, period furnishings, and historical context convey the tavern’s role during a conflict as well as daily life in colonial Maine. Another historic landmark is Fort O’Brien: its earthworks face Machias Bay, and the existing powder magazine is now overgrown with vegetation.

Visitor conditions are also part of the decision: Saint Croix Island itself is not open to the public because of dangerous currents, sensitive ecosystems, and protected archaeological resources. The Saint Croix Island IHS Visitor Center displays several sweetgrass basket artworks of the Passamaquoddy, handed down from generation to generation. At West Quoddy Head Light, the tower is closed to the public; however, the lighthouse grounds and Visitor Center Museum are open to visitors. Since access to the tower may change, check the latest information before visiting.

A recurring event is the Machias Wild Blueberry Festival, held every August, featuring blueberry-related foods, arts and crafts, entertainment, and competitions. Individual offerings vary from year to year. If you plan your trip around the festival or a seasonal museum visit, check the dates and visiting hours in advance. This makes it easier to combine your cultural interests, coastal trails, and natural areas with your search for a hotel in Washington County.

Explore more destinations: Perry, Dennysville, Cherryfield, Milbridge, Robbinston, Machias, Beals, Lubec.

Return to the broader travel overview: Maine.