Plan Your Visit

Locating the Park

The Holbrook Island Sanctuary State Park is located in Brooksville, Maine, on the Cape Rosier Peninsula. It spans 1,230 acres on the mainland and 115 acres on Holbrook Island.

 Visiting the Sanctuary

  • Entrance is free.

  • Holbrook Island Sanctuary is open daily, year-round, from 9:00 a.m. to sunset.

  • A Park Trail Map (PDF) and Bird List (PDF) are located in boxes at trailheads.

  • Picnic tables and charcoal grills are located at Park headquarters, adjacent to the lawn, the beach and in a shady glade. There is one picnic table at the Fresh Pond trailhead.

  • Bring your own charcoal.

  • No alcohol is permitted in the Park.

  • No open fires or camping are permitted in the Park or on Holbrook Island.

  • All dogs must be on a leash, and please clean up after your pet.

  • Outdoor toilets are located near Park headquarters, at the boat area at Tom Cod Cove and on Holbrook Island.

 Activities

  • Walking, hiking, and running on the trails

  • Snowshoeing, cross-country skiing and skating on Fresh Pond

  • Bird and wildlife watching

  • Swimming

  • Salt water fishing

  • Canoeing and kayaking - there are launch areas, ramps, floats and moorings at both Tom Cod Cove (mainland) and at Holbrook Island

  • On road bicycling; no off-road motorized vehicles allowed

 Frequently Asked Questions

  • Holbrook Island Sanctuary is a day visit park. Camping is not permitted anywhere in the Park, including Holbrook Island. Camping and day use are permitted, however, on Ram Island.

  • No. Tree roots and rocks are prominent on the trails in the Park, making the trails inaccessible by wheelchair.

  • Hunting is not allowed in the Park. However, we recommend that you wear a blaze color during hunting season for extra security.

  • If you or a member of your group is experiencing a life-threatening emergency, call 911. The Park is not staffed or equipped to respond to emergencies.

  • The Park roads are plowed during the winter. The trails are not machine groomed.

  • There are no rentals available at the Park. However, The Activity Shop in Blue Hill offers rentals and delivery. Castine Kayak Adventures offers rentals and paddling tours to Holbrook Island.

  • If you bring your kayak, canoe or other small craft to the Park, you can put in at several locations for access to Holbrook Island: from the beach (either on east or west side) at Indian Bar Road; at the head of Tom Cod Cove (trail on right, recommended): or at the docks at Tom Cod Cove. Paddling Goose Pond requires put in at the causeway.

  • Yes. There are visitor moorings in Tom Cod Cove, where there is a dock and stairs to the mainland. There is also a visitor mooring near the dock on Holbrook Island. Please share.

  • Castine Cruises offers daily drop-off and pickup tours to the Island from Castine. Castine Kayak Adventures offers paddling trip to Holbrook Island.

  • There are two beaches located at the end of Indian Bar Road, just past the Park headquarters: one adjacent to and visible from the road on the east and a second a short walk to the west. Swimming is also available off of Holbrook Island.

  • Freshwater fishing is not permitted in the Park at any time. However, saltwater fishing is excellent and widely available.

  • For refreshments, food and snacks, please bring your own and enjoy the park’s picnic areas. Please remember to dispose or take your refuge with you.

  • The park has outdoor toilets available near Park headquarters on Indian Bar Road, at Tom Cod Cove, and on Holbrook Island.