The Light Station is surrounded by a Town park, approximately 20 acres, which includes 1.8 miles of marked trails that offer scenic views and access to two beaches. The Long Point Beach Trail is located on the ocean side of Hockamock Head and includes a cobble beach. The Burying Point Trail is located on the harbor side of Hockamock Head and leads to a sandy beach. All of the trails immerse the visitor in typical Acadian Spruce forest.
Trail entrances are marked, and a map is posted at the information kiosk. Maps are available at the Keeper’s House during open hours. Trails are of moderate difficulty (except for the ADA accessible trail, see below). Trails can be slippery in foggy and wet conditions. There are roots and rocks along the paths, which are steep in places. Please exercise appropriate care at all times.
There is a vault toilet near the information kiosk which is open during the summer months. The road into the park is not accessible in icy conditions and is not plowed in winter.
LONG POINT BEACH TRAIL
The Long Point Beach Trail, on the ocean side of Hockamock Head, is accessed from the parking lot by the sign at the entrance to the park. The trail goes through spruce woods and over a bog bridge to rocky Long Point Beach, with views of Marshall Island. This portion of the trail borders private property; please be respectful of neighbors. At the eastern end of Long Point Beach, an artists’ bench provides a place to stop before traveling the more difficult coastal path which joins up with the ADA accessible trail. Stop to rest at the natural stone bench at the end of the ADA trail, from which there are spectacular ocean views of Marshall Island, Merchants Row, Isle au Haut and, on clear days, the wind turbines on Vinalhaven. From the end of the ADA path, the trail loops through a patch of ferns and into dense forest, along the edge of a utility easement, and back down to the entrance parking lot.
BURYING POINT TRAIL
The Burying Point Trail, on the harbor side of Hockamock Head, is accessed from the summit parking lot or from the trail behind the Light Station fuel house. This trail has a very different environment from the oceanside Long Point Beach Trail. Beneath a forest canopy lies a stony, mossy path down a steep hill and along a high treed bank at the water’s edge. The trail ends at Burying Point Beach. A return loop goes up stone stairs to the summit parking lot.
ACCESSIBLE SUMMIT TRAIL
A short (about 200 feet) trail surfaced with hardpacked gravel, starts across the road from the summit parking lot, and leads up along a gentle grade to the the summit of Hockamock Head. The trail is wide enough to accommodate a wheelchair. There is an interpretive sign at the summit, as well as a natural stone bench to rest upon while taking in the views out to the ocean. This ADA trail is a perfect way for wheelchair bound persons or other persons with limited mobility to experience the natural environment, as well as spectacular ocean views to the west and southwest.
Be careful along the water's edge of both trails. They can be slippery in foggy and wet conditions. There are roots and rocks along the path. The road up to Hockamock Head is not accessible in icy conditions nor in the middle of winter.
There is a handicapped privy opposite the path adjacent to the midway parking lot. The keeper's house is handicapped accessible and includes an ADA compliant bathroom (please note, the hours the building is open are limited). There is a sill of about one inch to overcome in order to enter the keeper's house.
There is a geocache on Hockamock Head and three others on Swan's Island.
Visit the Friends of Swans Island Lighthouse website for more information, or contact:
Take the ferry from Bass Harbor to Mackerel Cove, Swan's Island. Follow Ferry Road approximately a half mile and turn right at stop sign onto Atlantic Road. Follow Atlantic Road (turning into Harbor Road) for just under 4 miles to sign for Burnt Coat Light Station. There is a parking lot at the sign and one entrance to Long Point Beach Trail. There is another parking lot midway up the hill with entrances to the ADA path of Long Point Beach and Burying Point Beach Trail.
By private boat, anchor or moor in Burnt Coat Harbor and walk Harbor Road to sign for Park.
(Future plans would allow a dinghy to land at Burying Point Beach and enter the trails from there.)
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