One Of America's Best-Rated State Parks Has A Picture-Perfect Beach In Maine

The state of Maine has 228 miles of coast, and if you include the "tidal coastline," this extends to 3,478 miles. That's a lot of oceanfront property, with peninsulas, inlets, and islands stretching from the bottom of the state to Canada. Yet one thing is surprisingly hard to find in a state famous for its boats and mariners: a sandy beach. Geological forces have shaped Maine over eons, and the harsh North Atlantic has long battered these shores; the result is an eastern frontier of rocks, cliffs, and salt marches. Pine forest often pushes right up against the water, with piles of boulders forming a wall against the sea. This primal aesthetic is part of what people love about Maine, but there aren't as many sandy stretches as you might expect.

That's one reason Popham Beach is such a gem: The beach is vast and open. The sand is soft on your feet, instead of the pebbled — or "cobblestone" — beaches that require sturdy footwear. This is a place for regular old sunbathing, strolling, or wading into the shallow waters. The swells roll long and slow, and surfers love to paddle into them on their longboards. The area is so spacious that it almost always feels open and private, even on relatively crowded days. Popham Beach takes some effort to get to, but it remains one of the most popular destinations among vacationing Mainers, and you could easily make a stop here while driving this beautiful New England road trip route. What's more, some publications have even named Popham Beach State Park one of the best state parks in the country.

Popham Beach occupies a complex network of isles and bays in Maine's middle coast. The beach is framed between the Kennebec and Morse Rivers, and both land and waterways are heavily affected by the tides. If you sail far enough inland, you'll reach the port town of Bath, which has been an epicenter for shipbuilding since the early 1800s. Popham's importance made it an apparent target for wartime enemies, so the military built Fort Popham in the 1860s. This imposing granite structure could use artillery to defend the Kennebec River from invaders — and served as barracks for infantry in case of a land attack.

Today, the fort is open to the public, and visitors can freely walk through wide corridors and under vaulted brick ceilings (pictured above). Like many strongholds from the Civil War era, Fort Popham is more functional than attractive; its simple crescent shape and unadorned walls could easily be mistaken for a Victorian mill. But history buffs will appreciate its strategic importance and close proximity to Popham Beach. Half a mile away is Fort Baldwin, an old military bunker that was built more recently, in 1912.

All around lies Popham Beach State Park, a forested area with a handful of cottages and simple amenities. Most people come here for the water, to splash in the ocean, ride some waves, or paddle a kayak. Note that the undertow can be quite powerful, and sharks have been spotted in the area. Lifeguards are posted on the beach during the warmer months, but they pack up in the winter. Leashed dogs are only permitted between October 1 and March 31; equestrians can ride their horses on the beach during this period as well.

Popham Beach is a little far afield: From the popular town of Portland, a charming East Coast town that could easily stand in for London, you'll have to drive an hour. The closest big town is Bath, which is right next to the slightly bigger Brunswick, both about a half hour away. These towns have plenty of inns and hotels, starting around $100 per night and rising steeply from there. Bath is home to a well-regarded Maritime Museum, where you can learn about the many seafarers and shipwrights who made their careers here, and you can visit and photograph several local lighthouses — perhaps Maine's most iconic image. Within a short drive of Popham Beach (or rather, boat ride), you'll spot the Seguin Island Light Station, the Pond Island Lighthouse, the Perkins Island Lighthouse, and the adorable Squirrel Point Light (pictured above).

One of the easiest ways to get here is by flying into Portland International Jetport (PWM), though you'll probably end up transferring in a larger hub on the way here, which can burn time and add flights to your itinerary. Another option is to fly into Boston Logan International Airport, the largest airport in New England and a hotspot for car rentals. This will extend the driving time, but New England is pretty condensed: You can make it from the airport to Popham Beach in about three hours of scenic driving or stop halfway in Portland or Portsmouth, New Hampshire, and stay the night. Both are considered some of the most underrated cities in the Northeast that you shouldn't skip visiting.