Oven’s Mouth Preserve
Chosen By: Communications
Location: Boothbay Harbor, Lincoln County
Description: A Boothbay Region Land Trust preserve that extends over two spruce and fir clad peninsulas in the lower tidal reaches of the Sheepscot River system between Boothbay and Edgecomb. Oven’s Mouth is a narrow gut through which flows an immense quantity of water at each tidal cycle. The trails (somewhat steep in places) lead along the water and through the woods along rocky ledges. Just after high tide, as the water is rushing out, the ocean roars loud enough to be heard from quite a distance. The Preserve offers a great opportunity to look for shorebirds in the sheltered cove, and ducks, herons, terns, and other water birds are easy to watch in the surrounding tidal reach. Often, Ospreys soar overhead, and for many years, nested within view of the overlook at the end of the peninsulas.
Activities: Hiking, birding, photography
Favorite Season(s) to Visit: Late spring, summer, and fall
Why It’s Special: Our family has been going here for many years, and from the time our son could walk, this has been one of his favorite places to explore. We enjoy standing on the wooden bridge and looking down into the water to look for starfish, sea urchins, and other creatures. My husband’s family has a great story about Oven’s Mouth. When they were living down the bay on a saltwater farm in North Edgecomb, my husband’s brother, a teenager at the time, went on a rowboat excursion with his two younger brothers and found himself rowing through the violent currents and whirlpools, at the height of the Mouth’s fury. How they made it through is a wonder to this day, and the story gets recounted during every visit to Oven’s Mouth. For the record, this particular activity is not recommended!
Tips: There are two parking lots at the base of each peninsula and there is an amazing footbridge at the tip of the peninsulas joining trails on each part of the preserve. Bring a picnic lunch to enjoy on the rocks at that overlook the channel. On a warm, sunny Maine day, there’s no better place to be!
More Info and Directions: About 10 minutes drive off Route 27 on the way to Boothbay. Check the Boothbay Region Land Trust website for maps and directions.
