A Sand Beach at the End of Bailey Island
Cedar Beach sits near the southern end of Bailey Island in Harpswell, one of the few genuinely sandy beaches on a stretch of Casco Bay coast that is otherwise all granite ledge and spruce. You reach it on foot, walking down Cedar Beach Road and a short wooded path to where the sand opens up toward Cedar Island just offshore. At low tide the beach splits into two crescents of sand, with a narrow pebble spit running out to Cedar Island, which you can walk across when the tide is right.
The catch, and it is an important one, is access. Cedar Beach Road is privately owned, and after years of litigation that went all the way to Maine’s Supreme Judicial Court, the public easement that once existed was vacated in 2016. The town of Harpswell then negotiated an agreement with the road’s owner that allows continued foot access, but only for Harpswell residents, nonresident taxpayers, and their guests. If you are visiting from away and not the guest of a qualifying resident, you are not legally entitled to use the beach. Signs at the beach spell out the rules, and the town hires monitors who walk the road and beach twice a day from Memorial Day through Labor Day.
Cedar Beach is not an open public beach. Foot access down the private Cedar Beach Road is limited to Harpswell residents, nonresident taxpayers, and their guests. Dogs, vehicles on the road, fires, fireworks, and large gatherings are all prohibited. Walking on the privately owned beach beyond the easement area is not allowed. Respect the posted signs.
The Beach
When you do have access, Cedar Beach is a fine, low-key place to swim. The sand is soft, the cove faces roughly south, and the water in the shallows warms through a sunny afternoon better than the open ocean does. There are no waves to speak of most days, which makes it easy for kids to wade and paddle. The water is still Maine-cold, so most swimming happens on warm July and August afternoons at a rising tide.
Cedar Island, the small wooded island the beach points toward, is the centerpiece of the view. The pebble bar that connects the beach to the island appears at low tide and is fun to walk out on, though the island itself is private. Bring water shoes, because the bar and the edges of the cove are stony and barnacle-covered.
Cedar Beach is at its best on a falling or low tide, when the two sand crescents and the bar to Cedar Island are exposed. At high tide the sand mostly disappears and you are left with a narrow strip. Check a Casco Bay tide chart before you go.
Rocky beaches & streams
Parking & Access
There is no parking lot and no driving down to the beach. Visitors park up the road and walk in, and locals advise parking before you reach Fathom Lane, then walking the rest of the way down Cedar Beach Road and the footpath. Parking is genuinely limited, and the surrounding streets are residential, so do not block driveways or private roads. Because the road is private and access is restricted, there is no public facility here, no restrooms, no lifeguard, and no trash service. Carry out everything you bring in.
If you are renting on Bailey Island or Orr’s Island, ask your host whether they are a Harpswell resident or taxpayer who can host you as a guest. That is the cleanest way to enjoy Cedar Beach without running afoul of the access rules.
Getting There
From Brunswick, take Route 24 south through Cooks Corner and across the islands of Great Island, Orr’s Island, and the famous Cribstone Bridge onto Bailey Island. Near the southern end of the island, turn onto Cedar Beach Road. The drive from Brunswick takes about 30 minutes, and from Portland it is roughly 50 minutes via I-295 and Route 24. Park well up the road and continue on foot.
When to Visit
Spring
Quiet and cool. Water is too cold for swimming. A pleasant walk if you have access, but the season's beach monitoring has not yet started.
Summer
Warmest water and best swimming, especially on rising afternoon tides. This is also when access rules are actively monitored, so know the requirements.
Fall
September water is still swimmable on warm days, and the crowds thin out after Labor Day. Beautiful light over Cedar Island.
Winter
A bracing, empty walk for those with access. No swimming.
Packing List
Cedar Beach Day
- Beach towel
- Sunscreen and hat
- Water shoes for the pebble bar and barnacled edges
- Swimsuit
- Water and snacks (no concessions)
- A trash bag (carry in, carry out)
- Proof or knowledge of your resident or guest access
FAQ
Can anyone use Cedar Beach?
No. After the public easement was vacated by Maine's Supreme Judicial Court in 2016, the town negotiated foot access limited to Harpswell residents, nonresident taxpayers, and their guests. Visitors from away who are not hosted by a qualifying resident are not entitled to use the beach.
Are dogs allowed at Cedar Beach?
No. Dogs are prohibited under the access agreement, along with vehicles on the road, fires, fireworks, and large gatherings.
Where do you park for Cedar Beach?
There is no lot. Park up the road, before you reach Fathom Lane, and walk down Cedar Beach Road and the footpath. Parking is limited and the area is residential, so do not block driveways.
Can you walk out to Cedar Island?
At low tide a pebble bar connects the beach to Cedar Island and you can walk out on it. The island itself is private property, so stay on the bar and the public access area.
Is the swimming good?
Yes, on warm summer afternoons at a rising tide. The cove is sheltered and the shallows warm up, though the water stays cool by Maine standards. There is no lifeguard.
