Fodor's Travel Talk Forums - Bailey Island, Maine- nice nature/hiking?

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This lovely island is located on the coast of Maine about 15 miles south of Brunswick, Maine at the southern most end of Route 24. It is part of the Town of Harpswell. The island is almost 3 miles long and less than one mile wide. It is located about 50 miles from Portland, Maine.

We love this area but stayed elsewhere. The Giant Stairs Trail is mentioned on the website. It's a pretty and easy hike along the water. Not much place to park except at the church so you are warned not to visit on a Sunday. There are several other public trails in conservation areas in different areas of Harpswell and you can download the PDF. One was a very simple beach right off the road. The very first one we found might have been Pott's Point. With a 4x4 PU we drove a very rutted road. It appears that you are supposed to park and walk in. When you download the guide https://hhltmaine.org/get-outdoors/ you will see notes as to which places are ideal for kids. If it was Pott's Point where we were, it's the kind of secluded beach in Maine most people never find. We had asked a waitress at the Dolphin Marina restaurant what was there. She said "nothing". Aha! I remember a couple of fishermen and another family group enjoying the place. We carry bag chairs and picnic supplies so we can enjoy places like this. Or we might have been at Stover's Point Preserve. Doesn't matter. I bet both would be fun to explore.
As far as groceries, even a convenience store might be hard to find but you are going to have to drive thru Brunswick to get to Harpswell. It's a big college town with lots of commercial area. You won't have to go down town but if you do, Brunswick has a wonderful farmers market on the common. I think it's held on Fridays. You can get things like fresh yogurt and strawberries if in season. The entire Harpswell area is like time stopped, very rural. Should you be there for 4th of July, nearby Bath has a wonderful 4th of July parade, crafts on the common, etc. Friends stay every year near Dolphin Marina.