Located on Frenchboro Long Island, this 1159-acre preserve includes 8.2 miles of shoreline, hundreds of acres of spruce forests, and dozens of forested and open wetlands, headlands, and beaches. The interior provides intact habitat for forest and wetland wildlife, and the preserve's rocky shoreline is home to rare plants such as mare's tail and beachhead iris. Beaver and deer were introduced in the 1900s and have definitely left their mark with ponds and little hardwood understory. Frenchboro Long Island is also home to nesting bald eagles and is a popular stopping point for migratory birds. The preserve offers a network of more than 12 miles of hiking trails that provide access to an array of spectacular shoreline vistas. Trails are well marked.
Frenchboro Long Island is home to approximately 30 year-round residents who make their living primarily from the sea through lobster fishing. The village is clustered around Lunt Harbor, and includes a schoolhouse, post office, church, museum/library, firehouse, a small store, and a dockside deli, in addition to the residences and working wharves. MCHT acquired the bulk of the Frenchboro Preserve in 2000 and, through a generous donation, added a second parcel including Rich's Head in 2011.
Many of the paths on the island extend from MCHT land onto private property. Neighboring landowners have generously continued the island tradition of allowing the public to cross their properties. Please respect their privacy by staying far away from any structures and leaving no trace of your visit. A map showing the preserve’s boundaries is available from the Maine Coast Heritage Trust website.
There is no camping or fires permitted on the preserve. Please stay on established trails, carry out all waste (including human and pet waste and toilet paper), keep pets under control, and respect the privacy of preserve neighbors.
Visit Maine Coast Heritage Trust online for more information or contact:
Frenchboro Long Island can be accessed by private boat. There are moorings available for rent in the harbor. The island is also accessible through a same day, round trip ferry service that runs two Wednesdays each month, or via a passenger only ferry service that operates each Friday from early spring to late fall. Both ferries depart the mainland from the State's Ferry Terminal in Bass Harbor. Once on the island, there are multiple trailheads, including one located at the town's museum near the head of Lunt Harbor.
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