Scarborough Marsh Paddle Route

Maine’s Largest Salt Marsh by Paddle

Scarborough Marsh is the largest salt marsh in Maine: 3,200 acres of cordgrass flats, tidal creeks, mudflats, and open water stretching from the Scarborough River to the Nonesuch and Dunstan rivers. Seen from Route 1, it looks like a green prairie dotted with distant white egrets. From a kayak at water level, it becomes an intimate world of winding channels, hidden wildlife, and an expansive quiet that is hard to believe exists 15 minutes from downtown Portland.

The marsh has been protected through a combination of state and municipal conservation efforts, and Maine Audubon operates a seasonal nature center on Route 1 where visitors can rent kayaks and canoes, join guided paddle tours, and learn about salt marsh ecology. The paddle routes wind through the tidal creeks that lace the marsh, putting you at eye level with great blue herons, snowy egrets, glossy ibis, and the ospreys that nest on platforms scattered through the marsh.

The Paddle Routes

The Dunstan River is the primary paddle route from the Maine Audubon launch site. The river winds through the heart of the marsh in a series of lazy meanders, with cordgrass banks rising on either side. At high tide, the water fills the channel and the marsh grasses stand just above the surface. At low tide, mudflats are exposed along the banks and the channel narrows.

The Short Loop (1-1.5 hours): Paddle upstream on the Dunstan River for about a mile, then turn around and return to the launch. This covers the most wildlife-rich section of the marsh and is suitable for beginners and families. The current is gentle and the channel is wide.

The Extended Route (2-3 hours): Continue upstream beyond the short loop into narrower channels that branch into the deeper marsh. These side channels are where the most wildlife congregates, away from the main river. Expect to see herons and egrets at close range in these quieter backwaters.

The Nonesuch River Route (2-3 hours): Paddle downstream from the launch to the junction with the Nonesuch River, then upstream into the eastern marsh. This route passes under Route 1 and opens into a different section of the marsh with views toward the Pine Point shore. More experienced paddlers can extend this route significantly.

Wildlife

Scarborough Marsh is one of the most important wading bird habitats in Maine and a premier birding destination in the greater Portland area.

Wading Birds: Great blue herons are everywhere in the marsh, standing motionless in the shallows or flying overhead with their slow, deliberate wingbeats. Snowy egrets, great egrets, and green herons work the channel edges. Glossy ibis, a southern species that has expanded northward into Maine, probe the mudflats at low tide with their curved bills.

Raptors: Osprey nest on platforms throughout the marsh and are constantly fishing. Northern harriers course low over the cordgrass, hunting for voles and small birds. Bald eagles are occasionally seen, drawn by the fish and waterfowl.

Shorebirds: During fall migration (August-September), the mudflats host migrating sandpipers, yellowlegs, plovers, and dowitchers. The shorebird diversity during peak migration can be exceptional.

Other Wildlife: Muskrats build lodges along the channels. Harbor seals occasionally venture into the lower marsh from the ocean. Horseshoe crabs may be seen during their spring spawning season.

The Nature Center

Maine Audubon’s Scarborough Marsh Nature Center sits on Route 1 at the edge of the marsh. The center is open mid-June through Labor Day and offers:

• Kayak and canoe rentals (single and tandem)
• Guided paddle tours
• Guided walking tours on the upland edge
• Educational exhibits about salt marsh ecology
• Children’s programs
• A small gift shop

The center also serves as the launch point for all paddle routes. A wooden dock makes getting in and out of boats easy. Paddles, life jackets, and basic instruction are included with rentals.

When to Go

Getting There

The Maine Audubon Scarborough Marsh Nature Center is on Route 1 (Pine Point Road) in Scarborough, about 1.5 miles south of the Route 1/Route 9 intersection. The center is well-marked with a Maine Audubon sign. Parking is free in the lot across from the center.

If bringing your own boat outside of nature center season, a public launch is available at the Route 9 bridge over the Dunstan River.

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