Shackford Head State Park

About Shackford Head State Park

Cobscook Bayover overlooks downtown Eastport and covers 90 acres, and the west side of Broad Cove is surrounded by a promontory and entrance to Cobscooks Bay, with the east side open to the ocean.

A footpath from the parking lot leads through the forest to a rocky promontory located in a bay at an altitude of 173 feet above sea level. Several kilometres of hiking trails cross the headland, with a short walk to the beach at the eastern end of Broad Cove and a long hike to Cobscook Bayover.

The park's trails offer great opportunities to observe wildlife, and ornithologists have documented 28 different bird species nesting on the headland. From this perspective, visitors can see the salmon farm and aquaculture enclosure where Atlantic salmon is farmed, as well as the eastern end of Broad Cove.

Born and raised in Massachusetts, he spent most of his 87 years in Eastport, but Shackford Head was named after one of the earliest settlers in the city, Captain John Shackford, a Revolutionary War soldier who arrived with his family in 1783. He owned the headland and used Broad Cove as his ship's anchorage, as well as for fishing, hunting and other activities.

He died on December 25, 1840 and was buried at Broad Cove Cemetery in Eastport, just a few miles from the headland. He burned five ships that served in the Civil War, and a plaque on the spot gives more information about this chapter of the history of the cape, as well as a picture of him and his wife Elizabeth.

In the 1970s, Shackford Head was the site of a planned oil refinery that the Pittston Company wanted to build, and which met with strong opposition due to the dangers of shipping and the exceptional value of wildlife. When the land was put up for sale in 1988, the Eastport Land Trust sought support through the Maine Land Foundation (LMF) program to keep the land free from the public, and they helped finance the purchase in 1989. The Maine Department of Conservation owns and manages this land as part of its Maine State Park System.

The entire network of paths is not barrier-free, but the way to the parking lot is barrier-free. This includes the main path, the hiking trail and a small section of the main path of the park, as well as some other paths and trails.

There is good access to the beach, but be careful not to get too close to high cliffs or rocks.

Those who like challenging terrain can take the Schonerweg, the main trail or one of the other paths and drive back from the parking lot. Enjoy the beautiful views and have a good view of Shackford Head State Park and the surrounding area.

Note: Certain paths may be closed in the summer months to protect young eagle families from disturbances. Please note that these paths are signposted and closed at least 30 minutes before the start or end of the day. Take Route 1 or Route 190 to Perry and follow the signs for the paths that are closed from 7: 30 a.m. to 10: 00 p.m. at the beginning of each day.

The main road is located at the intersection of Route 190 and Route 1 in the town of Eastport. Turn off the road and drive approximately one mile to Shackford Head State Park and Boat School (locally known as the Boat School). Leave this road and drive 7 miles to the site of a project planned since the 1930s, the largest tidal dam project in the world. As you approach Westport, turn left onto the main road to Shackford Head State Park and approach from outside the city of Eastport.