A Little Pocket of Beach Paradise
Warm waters, white sand beaches, 100 acres of park trails shaded by tupelo trees.
Ferry Beach State Park is a scenic 117-acre public conservation and recreation area tucked away in Saco, Maine. Situated along Saco Bay between Old Orchard Beach and the Camp Ellis community, it stands out as a peaceful, less-crowded alternative to some of the busier nearby coastal tourist hubs. It’s the kind of place where you park once, ride your bike to the beach, and spend the day moving between sand, shade, and a soda fountain.
🏖️ Beaches – Beach Names & Quirks
Ferry Beach
The beach features a stunning expanse of soft, white sand beaches looking out over Saco Bay. Sheltered slightly by the bay, the waters are typically calm and popular for swimming, sunbathing, sea kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, and surf casting for striped bass.
Looking north toward Old Orchard Beach.
Beaches Outside the State Park
If you take the bike ride to the Ocean Park neighborhood you’ll pass a number of beaches and it’s only 2 miles away. Because you’re on a bicycle you can easily access these semi-private beaches. What is semi-private? A beach that is public but the parking is restricted to residents only. Whether it’s street parking or a small parking lot you can avoid that by riding a bike.
🚴 Bike Rides – Route Descriptions
The ride from the park entrance to Ocean Park is about 2 miles on quiet roads. You’ll pass small beaches, beach roses, and old summer cottages. This day trip is more about relaxation and enjoyment than a long bike ride. In fact the furthest from the park you might go is but 2 miles into the Ocean Park neighborhood. However it’s a very nice ride from the state park and you’ll go by a few beaches. The views are awesome. You’ll like this ride!
🍽️ Food – Fresh, Local & Unique
Ocean Park Subs & Grocery
This is a deli/bakery/grocery store. A perfect pit stop for something simple. Across the street is a nice park with gazebo. Take your lunch there and enjoy.
Ocean Park Soda Fountain
Take a step back in time and walk into this joint. They serve breakfast and lunch. It’s right across the street from the gazebo.
📜 Local Knowledge & History
🌲 Park Trails
The park maintains nearly 2 miles of easy, well-kept intersecting wooded trails. Key routes like the Tupelo Trail and Red Oak Trail feature boardwalks that take hikers over wetlands covered in cinnamon ferns and sphagnum moss. These trails are a lot of fun to ride. Check the video for details on the experience. Be cognizant the walkers, hikers, and runners want to share this resource with you.
🌳 Tupelo Trees
One of the park’s most distinctive characteristics is a rare, 100-acre stand of Tupelo (black gum) trees. These trees are highly unusual at this northern latitude and thrive in the park’s small “pocket swamps”.
🚿 Outdoor Showers
Outdoor showers is a nice luxury for any trip. I always note with a location has outdoor showers. Or indoor for that matter which is not often. So enjoy a day of outdoor recreation. Get salty, get sandy, get sweaty, and then take an outdoor shower before getting back into your car.
🎥 Video Highlights
📌 Tips for Ferry Beach State Park
- Ride the wooded trails – The trails through the 100 wooded acres are serene.
- Ferry Beach – The beaches are outstanding and on off days not crowded.
- Bike Ride to Ocean Park – This is a little summer community. Only 2 miles away.
- Park once, ride all day – Parking fee at the state park. Just leave your vehicle there. Ride around the area.