Portland’s Beach
- Beach
- About a mile of sand
- Park size
- 243 acres
- Lifeguards
- Mid-June to mid-August
- From Portland
- About 8 miles
Crescent Beach State Park is the closest sandy state park beach to Portland, and the easy pick for a beach day without a long drive. A mile-long curve of fine sand runs along the Cape Elizabeth shore, backed by grassy dunes and facing Richmond Island. The surf is gentle, and on a hot July afternoon the beach fills with families and swimmers. It has been the family beach for Greater Portland for generations.
The park covers 243 acres. Short trails wind through the woods behind the dunes to shaded picnic areas. There is a bathhouse, restrooms, picnic tables and grills, and a playground. Lifeguards are on duty from mid-June to mid-August, which few Maine beaches offer. Easy access, good facilities and lifeguards make it the most popular family beach near Portland.
The Beach
The western end, closest to the parking lot and facilities, is the busiest. The eastern end is quieter and draws walkers and people who want more space. The sand is fine and light tan, easy on bare feet.
- Pick a low-tide day Low tide is the best time to come, especially with kids. The beach nearly doubles in width, and tide pools and sand flats appear along the eastern end, with small crabs, periwinkles and shells to keep kids busy for hours.
- Wade the gentle slope The bottom slopes gently, so you can wade out a long way before it gets deep. That makes it ideal for children.
- Expect small waves The curve of the beach and the rocks at each end soften the swell. Waves are usually small: fun for body surfing, not scary, and calmer than the open beaches nearby.
- Know the water It runs from the upper 50s in early summer to the mid-60s by August. The first plunge is bracing. The shallow flats warm fastest, so they are the warmest swimming in the park.
Check a tide chart before you pick your day. At low tide the beach nearly doubles in width, tide pools open up in the rocky areas, and the shallows warm in the sun. A midday low tide on a sunny day is the ideal Crescent Beach setup for families.
Dogs are not allowed on the beach from April 1 through September 30, and the rule is enforced. From October 1 through March 31, leashed dogs are welcome. The off-season beach is a favorite local dog walk, and you will sometimes spot seals hauled out on the rocks at the headlands (bring binoculars and keep your distance). For summer dog-friendly alternatives, try Willard Beach in South Portland during its off-leash hours.
Beyond the Beach
The park has about a mile of easy trails through coastal forest. The Shore Trail follows the bluff above the eastern end of the beach, with views down onto the surf. The Dune Trail winds through beach grass and low shrubs behind the dunes, where beach roses bloom in June and July.
The picnic area in the woods has shaded tables and grills, and the playground sits near the beach path. Group picnic sites can be reserved through the state park system for a fee on top of day-use admission. That makes the park a top spot near Portland for family gatherings and birthday parties.
- Kettle Cove 2.8 mi · Easy · Cape Elizabeth A small rocky cove with views of Richmond Island, about a 15-minute walk west along the shore path. It has its own small lot and no entrance booth. Tide pools and calm water make it a good quick stop.
- Two Lights State Park 2 mi · Easy · Cape Elizabeth Five minutes south on Route 77. No beach, but a dramatic rocky headland by the twin lighthouses, with The Lobster Shack at Two Lights right on the rocks. Beach morning, headland walk, lobster roll: a complete Cape Elizabeth day.
Walk to the eastern end of the beach at low tide and explore the rocky area near Seal Cove. The tide pools here are some of the best in Cape Elizabeth, with sea stars, hermit crabs, and urchins. Most beachgoers never venture this far, so you will have the rocks largely to yourself. The walk from the parking lot is about 15 minutes along the water’s edge.
Tickets, Fees & Hours
The park is open year-round, 9 AM to sunset daily unless posted otherwise at the gate. The beach season (lifeguards, staffed entrance booth, full facilities) runs through the summer, but you can walk the beach and trails in any month. These are the 2026 day-use fees, per person, paid at the entrance booth.
- $6 Maine resident adults Per person Maine residents 65+ get in free with proof of age.
- $8 Non-resident adults Per person Non-resident seniors (65+) pay $2.
- $1 Children 5-11 Per person Children under 5 get in free.
- $105 Vehicle season pass Maine State Parks Admits everyone in your vehicle to state park day-use areas all season. Maine residents 65+ can get a $45 Senior Vehicle Pass that covers their passengers too.
Bring cash. The entry booth and self-service stations take cash, and only some staffed booths take cards. An individual season pass is also sold. Season passes do not cover Scarborough Beach, which is run separately. Fees change, so check the official Maine State Park day-use fee schedule and the Bureau of Parks and Lands page for Crescent Beach before you go.
Parking & Arrival
- Find the entrance The park is at 109 Bowery Beach Road (Route 77) in Cape Elizabeth, about 8 miles south of downtown Portland.
- Beat the crowd The gate opens at 9 AM. On hot summer weekends the large lot fills by late morning, and the gate closes until cars leave. There is no overflow lot, and the small Kettle Cove lot next door fills even faster.
- Walk to the sand The lot sits back from the water. A short path through the trees leads to the beach. Restrooms are near the parking lot.
- Rinse off and pack food The bathhouse has changing rooms and cold-water showers. Don't count on buying food in the park; bring what you need for the day.
The gate opens at 9 AM. On hot Saturdays and Sundays, arriving before 10 AM guarantees a spot and gives you the best selection of beach territory. If you show up at noon on a 90-degree day, expect a line of cars idling on Route 77. Weekday visits avoid the problem entirely.
Camping Nearby
Crescent Beach State Park is day-use only. There is no campground, and the gates close at sunset. None of the Cape Elizabeth parks have camping; you camp inland or up the coast and drive to the sand. These two are the closest picks with their own pages:
- Wassamki Springs Campground Scarborough · Cumberland County Saco Street, Scarborough. A family campground on a private lake with its own sandy beach, about 20 to 25 minutes inland.
- Sebago Lake State Park Naples · Cumberland County Casco. The nearest state park campground, with 250 wooded sites on Maine's second-largest lake, roughly 45 minutes to an hour northwest. Reserve well ahead for summer weekends.
Other options: Bayley’s Camping Resort on Pine Point Road in Scarborough, a large family resort with pools and a shuttle to Old Orchard Beach, about 15 to 20 minutes away. Wild Duck Adult Campground & RV Park on Dunstan Landing Road in Scarborough, a quiet adults-only campground of about 70 sites on the edge of Scarborough Marsh, with kayak access to the state’s largest salt marsh. Wolfe’s Neck Oceanfront Camping in Freeport, with oceanfront and farm-side sites on Casco Bay about 40 minutes north, if you want saltwater instead of a lake.
When to Visit
Spring
Park open 9 AM to sunset. Cool weather, water too cold for most swimmers, beach nearly empty.
Summer
Warm sand, swimmable water, lifeguards mid-June to mid-August. Lot fills by late morning on hot weekends.
Fall
Empty beach, warmest water lingers into early September. No lifeguards. Leashed dogs allowed from October 1.
Winter
Beautiful winter light, sometimes seals on the rocks. Cold and windy. Trails and beach open, dogs allowed on leash.
July and August are the warmest months, with the water peaking in mid-August. September brings empty sand and water still near its warmest, but no lifeguards. In the off-season the park becomes a place to walk: storm surf, winter light and leashed dogs on the beach.
| Crescent Beach | Scarborough Beach | Kettle Cove | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Distance from Portland | 8 miles (15 min) | 10 miles (15 min) | Adjacent to Crescent Beach |
| Beach Type | Mile-long sheltered crescent | Open sandy beach | Small rocky cove |
| Waves | Gentle | Moderate to large (surfing) | Calm |
| Best For | Families, young kids | Surfing, body surfing | Tide pools, quick stops |
| Entry | $6-$8 adults (state park) | Day-use fee (privately operated) | No entrance booth |
Packing List
Crescent Beach Day
- Sunscreen (reapply every 2 hours)
- Towels and beach blanket
- Swimsuit
- Water and food for the day (no concession to count on)
- Beach chairs or umbrella
- Water shoes (rocks at the cove edges)
- Sand toys and a bucket for tide pooling
- Cash for the entrance fee
- Change of dry clothes
- Windbreaker (sea breeze can be cool)
Getting There
- From downtown Portland Take Broadway south through South Portland. It becomes Route 77.
- From I-295 Take Exit 6A (Route 77 South) and follow Route 77 through South Portland into Cape Elizabeth.
- Follow Route 77 The park entrance is well signed, about 8 miles (roughly 15 minutes) from downtown.
- Arrive 109 Bowery Beach Road (Route 77), Cape Elizabeth. GPS: 43.5620, -70.2280.
FAQ
How much does it cost to go to Crescent Beach?
Day-use fees are $8 for non-resident adults and $6 for Maine residents. Non-resident seniors pay $2, children 5-11 pay $1, and children under 5 and Maine residents 65+ are free. Bring cash, since cards are only accepted at some staffed booths.
What are the hours?
The park is open year-round, 9 AM to sunset daily unless otherwise posted at the gate. Lifeguards and full summer services run from mid-June to mid-August.
Can you camp at Crescent Beach State Park?
No. The park is day-use only. The nearest campgrounds are in Scarborough (Bayley's, Wild Duck, Wassamki Springs); the nearest state park camping is Sebago Lake State Park, about 45 minutes to an hour away.
Is Crescent Beach good for kids?
Yes. It is the most family-friendly beach near Portland. The surf is gentle, the sandy bottom slopes gradually, lifeguards are on duty mid-June to mid-August, and there is a playground and shaded picnic area behind the beach.
Are dogs allowed?
Not in beach season. Dogs are banned from the beach April 1 through September 30. From October 1 through March 31, leashed dogs are welcome.
Is there a lifeguard?
Yes. Lifeguards are on duty from mid-June to mid-August.
Does the parking lot fill up?
Yes. On hot summer weekends the lot fills by late morning and the gate closes until cars leave. Arrive before 10 AM or visit on a weekday.
What else is near Crescent Beach?
Kettle Cove is a 15-minute shoreline walk away. Two Lights State Park and The Lobster Shack at Two Lights are a 5-minute drive south; Fort Williams Park and Portland Head Light are about 10 minutes north.
