A Fort, Three Beaches, and the Open Atlantic
Fort Foster sits on the tip of Gerrish Island in Kittery Point, an 88-acre town park where the Piscataqua River meets the Atlantic at the New Hampshire line. It is the southernmost coastal park in Maine, and it packs a lot into a small footprint: three beaches, a long fishing pier, picnic grounds under the pines, and the granite and concrete remains of a coastal defense fort. On a clear day you stand at the water’s edge looking straight out at Whaleback Ledge Light, the offshore tower that guards the entrance to Portsmouth Harbor.
The fort dates to the late 1800s and was expanded through the World War era to defend the harbor and the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard just upriver. Two gun batteries survive, Battery Bohlen and Battery Chapin, along with concrete bunkers and emplacements scattered through the woods. None of it is restored or staffed, so exploring the old structures feels more like stumbling on ruins than touring a museum. Kids love it.
The three beaches each have their own character. Pier Beach, beside the long pier, has the best tide pooling and a playground. Windsurfer’s Beach faces Portsmouth Harbor and catches the breeze. Scuba Beach is the rockiest of the three, with cobble running down to the water.
The Pier and the Lighthouse View
The park’s centerpiece is a 565-foot pier reaching out into the harbor mouth. People fish from it, walk it for the view, and watch the boat traffic moving in and out of Portsmouth. From the pier and from Windsurfer’s Beach you get the clearest land-based look at Whaleback Light, the stone lighthouse standing alone on a ledge offshore. The old Wood Island Life Saving Station is also visible across the water.
Come on a falling tide. Pier Beach drains to expose rock pools full of crabs, snails, and small fish, and the wider shoreline gives you more room to spread out. Low tide is also when the tide pooling along the rocky stretches is at its best.
Exploring the Batteries
The wooded interior of the park hides the fort’s gun emplacements, and a trail system loops past most of them. The concrete is weathered and the stairs are uneven, but you can climb on and around the old batteries freely. Bring a flashlight if you want to poke into the darker bunker rooms.
The old fort structures are unrestored. Concrete edges are crumbling, stairs and railings may be missing, and surfaces get slick when wet. Watch children closely around the batteries and along the pier and rocky shore, especially near drop-offs.
Getting There
From Interstate 95, take the Kittery exit and follow Route 103 east through Kittery Point. Turn onto Chauncey Creek Road, cross the bridge onto Gerrish Island, and follow Pocahontas Road to the park entrance at the end. The park is at 76 Pocahontas Road. The roads onto Gerrish Island are narrow and residential, so drive slowly.
When the gate is staffed, you pay a vehicle entry fee to drive in. The gate takes credit or debit only, no cash, so bring a card. Walkers and cyclists are charged too unless they hold a season pass.
Skin-safe picaridin, no smell
When to Visit
Spring
Weekends in May may have the gate staffed. Cool, quiet, and good for walking the pier before crowds arrive.
Summer
Full season with the gate staffed daily, all three beaches open, and the playground in use. Arrive early on hot weekends.
Fall
September weekends are staffed. Warm water lingers, the crowds thin, and the light over the harbor is excellent.
Winter
Gate closed and unstaffed. Some locals still walk the grounds, but facilities are shut and conditions can be raw and windy.
Summer is the obvious time, but a fall weekday at Fort Foster is hard to beat: warm enough to swim, quiet enough to have a beach nearly to yourself.
Packing List
Fort Foster Day Trip
- Credit or debit card for the gate (no cash accepted)
- Towels and swimsuits
- Sunscreen and a hat
- Water shoes for the rocky beaches
- Bug spray for the wooded trails
- Flashlight for the battery interiors
- Binoculars for Whaleback Light
- Picnic food and a blanket
FAQ
Is there a fee to enter Fort Foster?
Yes. When the gate is staffed in season, a vehicle entry fee is charged, with day passes and season passes available. Walkers and cyclists are also charged unless they hold a season pass. The gate accepts credit or debit cards only, no cash.
What are the hours at Fort Foster Park?
The park is generally open 10am to 8pm or dusk, whichever comes first, during the staffed season. The gate is staffed roughly late May through early September, with some weekends in May and September.
Can you see a lighthouse from Fort Foster?
Yes. Whaleback Ledge Light, the offshore tower at the mouth of Portsmouth Harbor, is clearly visible from the pier and Windsurfer's Beach. The old Wood Island Life Saving Station is also in view.
Are dogs allowed at Fort Foster?
Yes, on leash during staffed hours. Dogs are restricted from a section of Pier Beach during the regular season, as posted at the gate. Off-season leash hours are shorter.
Can you explore the old fort?
Yes. The gun batteries and bunkers are unrestored and open to explore on foot. The concrete is weathered, so watch your footing and supervise children around the structures.
For more of southern Maine’s coast, see the Marginal Way cliff walk in Ogunquit or the Nubble Light at Cape Neddick.
