Warren Island State Park

About Warren Island State Park

There is no telephone on the island, which guarantees a Robinson Crusoe experience, but there is a public ferry service to and from the islands. The park is for boaters, and campers can choose from a variety of camping options, such as a campground, picnic area or boat. Serenity describes the park, which is hidden in the bay, where visitors use their own boats to reach the islands.

A trip to Warren Island is guaranteed to bring back memories that will last through the winter, as well as great views of the Hudson River and the Great Lakes.

At least a dozen families have lived on Warren Island since the 19th century, but one of the longest documented stays of George Warren, who married Lydia Hatch, is the most famous of all. The Warrens lived in a small cottage on the island, surrounded by several hectares of cleared farmland. Old British admiralty tables indicate that there is a single ship believed to belong to Nathaniel Pendleton.

The land at the north-east end of the island belonged to A.J. Williams, and he lived with his wife and two children in a small cottage at the south end. Country "and is said to have lived with David Williams in the late 19th century, according to the New York State Historical Society.

In 1861, George Warren sold the island to Mansfield Clark of Islesboro for $600 and one acre was reserved for him and David Williams, according to the State Historical Society.

Mrs. Zilica, the wife Isaac Thomas, died on June 9, 1841 at the age of 22, and David Williams was married to Mrs. Samuel Haskell, her widow. They lived on the island until the end of the 19th century and he lived about halfway between the north and east coasts.

It is not clear whether the Thomas family actually lived on Warren Island or whether they lived on Seven Hundred Acre Island or whether they actually lived on Warren Island and were buried. In 1899 Warren Island was sold to Wm. H. Folwell for 500,000 dollars, a total of 1.5 million dollars in today's dollars.

The island remained in the possession of the Folwell family until it was acquired by the city of Islesboro in lieu of taxes. On June 30, 1967, the island was officially inaugurated as a state park and sold to the state of Maine for $1.5 million to be used for recreational purposes. Since then, Warren Island State Park, probably the largest public park in Maine, has been built.

Malcolm Graf was the first park manager until he lost his way at sea and Mac established the tradition of Thoughtful Management. At 4 p.m., the Maine Department of Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources and the National Park Service staff attended the ceremony. Despite the threat of rain, everyone enjoyed a dinner of lobster, clams, cakes and coffee after the ceremony.

The intention of the current administration is to continue the traditions that we have established, but of great importance is the safety of visitors and campers who remain on the island. The rules of the State Park are observed with great care, always tempered by an innate awareness of human weakness.

The island is accessible from a jetty on the eastern shore, and we reserve the right to dock large boats, depending on who comes first and is served first.

Visitors are only allowed to register at the kiosk of the Visitor Information Centre on the pier and are requested upon arrival on the island. Park staff are only allowed to bring visitors to the park and back for a short time in an emergency.

Tents may only be set up on designated and marked campsites provided by the park, and tents may not be placed in the parking lot. Campers can also find a parking space at the jetty or in front of the visitor centre, so they can transport equipment to and from the campsite by car. Please note that several campsites can be reserved through the State Park reservation system and may be marked with signs indicating that they have already been used for the night.

As the park is a public facility, visitors are requested to remove any waste that has accumulated during the visit and to remind them that the living vegetation must not be disturbed. Visitors can collect firewood on the island, but beware of fire - fire is not allowed in any of the fireplaces and barbecues provided by the parks.

Drinking water is provided by a hand pump in the middle of the island, but there is no public toilet on the main island or any other public facility in Warren Island State Park.

Please help protect the water supply and ask that waste be disposed of in private toilets.

Visitors are invited to familiarise themselves with the emergency procedures shown in the Visitor Centre. Warren Island is patrolled by park rangers, but there are times when there are no staff available to provide assistance.

Emergency reports for island campers can be sent to rangers in Camden Hills State Park at 207 - 236 - 3109. Warren Island also has standard services, including telephone service and electricity. A visit to Warren Island is a unique experience, and to preserve this experience, we leave the natural and historical features of the park to others to enjoy.

A full list of parking rules and regulations is posted at the Visitor Information Centre and please do not hesitate to contact the park staff for information or assistance. Lincolnville and Penobscot Bay are covered in spruce trees and a large number of wildflowers and shrubs.