Explore Deer Isle-Stonington
Public Trails & Parks
Enjoy the Outdoors
Public parks and trails on Deer Isle and in Stonington provide visitors with countless recreational opportunities. Maintained by organizations such as Island Heritage Trust (IHT) and local towns, these popular destinations offer access to hiking trails, wildlife habitat, shoreline, picnic areas, playgrounds, and more. Whether you’re looking for a walk to a breathtaking view, a place to watch birds and wildlife, or a family-friendly adventure, Deer Isle’s network of outdoor spaces offers memorable ways to experience the Island’s landscape.
Barred Island Preserve
Deer Isle
A popular 3-mile round-trip hike co-managed by IHT with The Nature Conservancy. A mossy coastal forest trail leads to a sand beach, which can be crossed at low tide to reach a small island. The sand bar submerges beneath 4ft of water at high tide. Learn more…
Bridge End Park
Little Deer Isle
Scenic bridge location with a public launch for your boat or kayak. Enjoy a picnic, explore the beach, or host a family gathering. Closed from dusk to dawn. This park is provided by the Town of Deer Isle.
Carrying Place Preserve
Deer Isle
1.5 miles of wooded trails along salt marsh shorelines and Bray’s Mountain – one of the highest points of elevation on Deer Isle. Enjoy views where you may see ospreys, eagles, seabirds, kingfishers, ducks, and shore birds hunting for prey. Learn more…
Church Land Preserve
Deer Isle
Meander along 2.5 miles of trails through rich and colorful moss and lichen-covered rocks. This preserve is unique in that it allows exploration of the North end of Lily Pond, and trail options are plentiful. Learn more…
Crockett Cove Woods Preserve
Stonington
98 acres of dense spruce and fir forest, co-managed by IHT with The Nature Conservancy. Lichens and mosses thrive in the cool, moist air of this coastal fog forest. Enjoy a wide variety of coniferous forest birds. Learn more…
Crystal Cove Preserve
stonington
Hike the .2 mile trail along the shoreline that leads to a small loop. Take a seat along the way and enjoy the views, with opportunities for birdwatching. The cove offers clamming access for those with a license. Learn more…
Deer Isle Ball Field and Playground
Deer Isle
This public ball field includes a basketball hoop and playground. An ADA trail circles through the woods behind the field, and there are restrooms, picnic tables, a lending library, and a community garden to enjoy. This park, also known as the “Old Elementary School Park,” is provided by the Town of Deer Isle.
Deer Isle-Stonington School Nature Trail
Deer Isle
The Deer Isle-Stonington Elementary School (DISES) Nature Trail features a popular 0.3-mile boardwalk through a wetland forest, often used as a nature-focused classroom with creative elements added by local students. It is accessible to walkers, and the boardwalk is wheelchair-friendly, with a width of 3.5 feet.
Edgar M. Tennis Preserve
Deer Isle
Explore old farmland and wooded trails along the coast. This property, owned by the State of Maine and managed by IHT, includes a 3.4-mile trail system. The shore trail passes by a small pocket beach with views of the ocean and islands surrounding the preserve. Learn more…
Lily Pond Park
Deer Isle
Enjoy well-maintained stone paths leading from the parking areas to the pond, plus additional trails on either side of the water. The walk from the parking lot to the shorefront is .2 miles. Freshwater offers opportunities for swimming, fishing, and non-motorized watercraft – and ice skating in the winter. A bath house with a pit toilet is available during the summer. Learn more…
Lisa Tolman Wotton Nature Preserve
Little Deer Isle
This 42-acre preserve features steeply wooded hills and ravines, as well as a northern white cedar swamp. Explore trails through cedar groves and over a high rocky knoll, historically known as “Spiney Ledge,” which provides a limited view of Penobscot Bay through the trees. Learn more…
Little Houses of Stonington Village
Stonington
The Mini Village was created by Everette Knowlton (1901-1978), who began building the houses in 1947 as a hobby. After Everette’s death, the houses were donated to the Town of Stonington, where each year residents take home the little houses for the winter and bring them back in spring for people to enjoy.
Mariners Memorial Park
Deer Isle
Mariners Memorial Park consists of 23 acres of fields, shoreline, salt marsh, bog, mixed hardwood forest, wild grasses, and flowers. This park has beautiful gardens maintained by the Evergreen Garden Club and gentle paths that circle fields and lead down to the shore of Long Cove. There is a tidal boat launch for kayaks and canoes.
Pine Hill Preserve
Little Deer Isle
This trail leads to an uncommon rock of significance – serpentinized peridotite. At the top of the rock formation, enjoy scenic views of the Deer Isle bridge, Caterpillar Hill, and Penobscot Bay. The walk features a flat, wide trail that used to be the old quarry road, while the final trail to the top of Pine Hill provides a short, steep, and difficult climb. Learn more…
Scott’s Landing Preserve
Deer Isle
Located on the northeast side of Deer Isle, this 24-acre property is an old farm with open meadows and wooded dells. Enjoy 1.5 miles of trails through varied bird habitat to a shingle beach on Eggemoggin Reach. Visiting in the early morning, this can be one of the Island’s best birding spots. Learn more…
Settlement Quarry Preserve
Stonington
Explore five miles of trails through the site of an old quarry with panoramic views of Merchants Row islands and Isle au Haut. The preserve offers a variety of trail experiences and informational signage about geology and history. The Old Quarry Road is an easy and accessible sloped half-mile walk. Learn more…
Shore Acres Preserve
Deer Isle
This 2.5-mile trail system through spruce-fir forest, wet areas, meadows, and great oaks offers diverse habitats to explore. Walk along bog bridges past vernal pools, the shore of Greenlaw Cove, and an old farmstead taken back by nature.
Small Cove Park
Stonington
A small coastal spot offering scenic ocean views, picnic areas, a swing set, and convenient EV charging stations. This park, managed by the Town of Stonington, serves as a peaceful resting point in the heart of downtown.
Stonington Ball Field and Playground
Stonington
The town’s Stonington Ball Field serves as a community hub for sports and recreation. This open space includes a playground, baseball field, basketball hoops, gazebo, and picnic tables. There is ample parking, or visitors can walk from downtown via the Pink Street path.
Village and Veterans Park
Deer Isle
In 1972, the Town Hall burned to the ground. Today, with the foundation walls still visible, the Veterans Memorial Park honors veterans from the towns of Deer Isle and Stonington in the time of war, in peace, and in the future. The lovely garden is tended by volunteers.
Looking for Water Access?
There are also numerous beaches, as well as public boat launches to take advantage of. Head over to our water access page to learn more.