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acister t1_it8fhsq wrote

There is some limited access allowed on all private property (unless otherwise posted I believe) that allows "the rights to fish, fowl, and navigate" on intertidal coast. But yeah I agree I wish Maine had more public land. When my friends from out of state ask where to camp for cheap/free, there is nothing on the coast (except deep downeast - Cutler). Any public land is in western Maine (with some exceptions but dispersed camping and free primitive camping). The coast is completely privately owned. The west has way, way more public land than the east coast.

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Laeek t1_it8lc11 wrote

Some coastal land trusts are working to change this. Still private land, but open to the public at least.

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bubba1819 t1_itafkfu wrote

This is the mission of Maine Coast Heritage Trust. They’ve acquired quite a few properties and have helped some towns buy land to keep access to mudflats for clambers and wormers.

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The_Maine_Viking t1_it9bq4p wrote

Uhh... The Maine Island Trail Network?

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sooooooooyep t1_itaisdn wrote

Just a heads up: Maine island trail is made up of hand shale deals with private landowners. The land on the trail is not necessarily permanently conserved or open to the public. But some of it is. Like the land trust lands and the state owned lands that the Maine island trail association has deals with to publicize in their book.

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acister t1_it9cszx wrote

I will look into it! This is all privately owned land though for the sake of what seems to be mostly boating? The island campgrounds seem cool and I guess they book well in advance but definitely going to check them out. There's a lot of ATV trails that are through networks of privately owned land that are similar but it is much different than public land. I appreciate it all but literally with BLM and National Forest, you're allowed to stay there for up to 30 days in a single location and if you choose to you use a dispersed campsite you can usually find one (this sort of thing is in the White Mountain National Forest in Maine). This is a lot different!

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The_Maine_Viking t1_it9hs9f wrote

There are no reservations for the Island Trails. They have a guide book that you can buy (helps fund the maintenance). If you don't have a boat you can always get transportation to places like Jewl Island through Portland Sea Taxi.

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sooooooooyep t1_itaizyy wrote

Every island has different guidelines and they change. Be sure to only use the most up to date version of the trail listings as properties may no longer invite the public or have regulations like a reservation system or what not.

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acister t1_it9iaar wrote

I only clicked on one of them TBH and to be fair didn't realize it was in Acadia.. I've thought about going to it before offseason without connecting the dots that it's part of the network but Duck Harbor requires advance reservations.. I'll look into the others

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CocoShaynel t1_itcgzto wrote

Yeah grab a fishing pole and a gun then you can explore the coastline all you want.

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