Birch Island

Birch Island is a little bit of everything we love about Casco Bay: unspoiled shoreline, cool swimming coves, trails through wildflower meadows, and a sense of history woven into the landscape. Whether you’re picnicking with the family, scouting for sea glass, or pitching a tent under the stars, Birch Island camping is as peaceful as it gets.

A little girls stand on a beach looking at the ocean on Birch Island.
A secluded beach at low tide on Birch Island.
A sea kayak is pulled up on to the rocky beach on Birch Island.
A photo take during a summer afternoon shows a beach at low tide on Birch Island.
A photo of a wooden path through the nature preserve on Birch Island.

Birch Island: History, Hiking, and Quiet Camping in Middle Bay

Just off the coast of Brunswick and Harpswell, Birch Island is a peaceful blend of forest, field, and rocky shoreline — a quiet spot to explore, swim, or stay the night. With a rich history stretching from Native American summer camps to shipyards and boys' camps, Birch Island offers more than just a pretty place to anchor. It’s the kind of spot where you can feel time slow down the moment your feet hit the shore.

The Helen and Walter Norton Preserve, located on the island’s eastern side, is part of the Maine Island Trail and open to the public for day use and camping. A gently sloping beach provides all-tide access for small boats, and a new loop trail winds through a mix of meadow and hardwood forest — ideal for stretching your legs or wandering with a camera in hand.

What to Expect on Birch Island

Birch Island may only be a short paddle from the mainland, but it feels remote and wonderfully unpolished.

Visitors will find:

  • A quiet beach landing suitable at any tide

  • A loop trail through mixed forest and meadow

  • All-ages swimming coves with beautiful views of Middle Bay

  • A picnic table and small storm shelter

  • Tent camping on a grassy rise near the shoreline

There are no amenities beyond the basics, but that’s part of the charm. If you’re looking for a quiet overnight or an unplugged lunch stop, this is the place.

A Quick History of Birch Island

Birch Island has been used by people for thousands of years. Archaeological evidence points to Native American activity here long before European arrival. In the 18th and 19th centuries, the island was home to farming, logging, and shipbuilding families. A thriving summer colony followed, complete with a post office, steamer landing, and even a casino.

In the early 1900s, Camp Narragansett operated on the island, offering city boys a classic Maine summer of swimming, sports, and wilderness. Though little remains of the camp today, you can still feel echoes of the past as you walk the trails and shoreline.

Three significant parcels of Birch Island are now protected by conservation trusts, helping to preserve its quiet charm and ecological health for future generations.

Camping on Birch Island

Camping is permitted on the Norton Preserve and is first-come, first-served. The site includes a grassy area for tents, a picnic table, and a small shed where visitors can take cover during foul weather.

Note: There are no fires allowed on the island, and all trash must be packed out. Dogs must be leashed during bird nesting season (April 15–July 31), and under voice control at all other times.

How to Get There

Access to Birch Island is by boat only, with all-tide landing possible on the preserve’s gravel beach.

Closest launch points include:

  • Mere Point Boat Ramp (Brunswick)

  • Simpson’s Point Landing (Brunswick)

  • Lookout Point (Harpswell)