http://www.maine.gov/dacf/lmf/index.shtmlLand for Maine's Future https://www.maine.gov/dacf/parks/grants/land_water_conservation_fund.htmlLand and Water Conservation Fund http://www.mainebirdingtrail.comMaine Birding Trail http://mainetrailfinder.comMaine Trail Finder


BirdwatchingBirdwatching CampingCamping Cross-country skiingCross-country skiing Hiking (trails)Hiking (trails) Horseback ridingHorseback riding HuntingHunting Off-road bikingOff-road biking Self-guided trailSelf-guided trail SnowmobilingSnowmobiling SnowshoeingSnowshoeing Watchable wildlifeWatchable wildlife CampgroundCampground Group picnic shelterGroup picnic shelter Picnic areaPicnic area PlaygroundPlayground ShowersShowers

property guide photo

Description

Please check for access and COVID-19 updates by using this link to the Bureau's Safety page and text BRAD to 888-514-7527 to subscribe to the park's Condition Alerts.

Browntail Moth Alert

Location Lat 43.899190 / Lon -70.179102

528 Hallowell Road, Pownal; on Route 9 about halfway between Portland and Lewiston-Auburn and a short drive west of Freeport.

Hours / Season Open all year; 9:00 a.m. to sunset daily unless otherwise posted at the gate. Visitors may continue to enjoy the park during the off season by parking outside the gate, - without blocking it - on the days it is closed, and walking in during these same hours. Please be aware that facilities are closed during the off season.

Fee collected year-round at entry booth by staff or self-service station.

Current Park Conditions.

Bradbury Mt. State Park rated #1 for Mt. Biking in National Listing.

Bradbury Mountain State Park is a wonderful place to spend a day or afternoon exploring trails, taking in the magnificent view from the summit, or enjoying a picnic under a canopy of trees. Situated on Route 9 about halfway between Portland and Lewiston-Auburn, the park attracts visitors who enjoy picnicking, hiking and camping on its 800 acres of forested land. Bradbury Mountain is the only state park in southern Maine to offer shared-use trails for horseback riders, mountain bikers and snowmobilers. Snow shoe rentals are available.

Read the September 18, 2017 Rubys on the Road review of the park.

Sculpted by a glacier, Bradbury Mountain is the park's most outstanding natural feature. Read about the geologic features of Bradbury Mountain written by the Maine Geologic Survey. Learn about the geology of the area on the interactive Maine Geologic Facts and Localities map.

Spring is best time to watch hawk migration. Mid-March through mid-May the annual Hawk Watch takes place. Initiated by Jeannette and Derek Lovitch in 2007, the annual count provides quantitative data about the extent and duration of the northbound raptor flight over Bradbury Mountain State Park.

Partners and Supporters

Land for Maine's Future: This property was acquired in part with funds from the Land for Maine's Future program. For more information about the LMF program and the places it has helped to protect, please visit the LMF webpage.

The Land and Water Conservation Fund contributed to this State Park. Learn more about LWCF.

Thank you to all the Feathers Over Freeport sponsors, volunteers and participants. Check out the line-up of this annual event that is typically held the last weekend in April each year: Feathers Over Freeport.

For a Trail Map (west side of Route 9)

For a Trail Map (east side of Route 9)

For the Bradbury to Pineland Corridor Trail Map

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History

Before the first Europeans arrived, Wabanakis camped on the mountain on trips to the coast. In the early 1800's, the Cotton family raised grapes on terraces still visible on the mountain. To hold stray cattle, sheep, and pigs, the early settlers built the cattle pound that still stands on Rt. 9 near the Northern Loop Trail. Near the ball field visitors can still see where feldspar was mined in the 1920's to make crockery and china.

Acquired from the Federal Government in 1939, Bradbury Mountain became one of the five original state parks. In the 1940's, it offered downhill skiing with a rope tow. In the 1990's, the park added 250 acres, thanks to the generosity of the Spiegel family, funding from the Lands for Maine's Future Fund, and the efforts of many people. These groups continue to work on expanding the park to eventually link to the Pineland Public Land parcel in New Gloucester.

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Activities

  • Birdwatching
  • Camping
  • Cross-country skiing
  • Hiking (trails)
  • Horseback riding
  • Hunting
  • Off-road biking
  • Self-guided trail
  • Snowmobiling
  • Snowshoeing
  • Watchable wildlife

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Rules

Consider lending a hand. Contact us if you would like to help with stewardship or maintenance work.

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Trails

Trail Activities & Conditions for Bradbury Mountain State Park.

Natural Heritage Hikes are narratives that guide hikers through the rich ecological, geological, and cultural elements encountered on 25 of Maine's most popular hikingtrails. These descriptions provide the hiker with the what, how, and why of the natural environments they are walking through Natural Heritage Hike for Bradbury Mt. State Park - Summit Trail, Northern Loop Trail, Bluff Trail, Ski Tail OR View the complete Natural Heritage Hikes listing.

West of Route 9

Summit Trail is the quickest route to the scenic views at the top of Bradbury Mountain. This summit is the location of the annual Hawk Watch which was initiated by Jeannette and Derek Lovitch in 2007. Annual Summaries are posted at Hawk Count.

East of Route 9

The trails east of Route 9 are favorites of area mountain bikers.

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Tours and Programs

Bradbury Mountain Hawk Watch - annual event - March 15 to May 15, 7 days a week, 9:00 a.m. To 5:00 p.m.

Feathers Over Freeport - Annual birdwatching weekend for all ages!

View the Maine Parks and Lands Event Calendar

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Services and Facilities

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Special Considerations

Moving firewood can transport exotic insects & diseases that pose a serious threat to our forests. Don't transport firewood, buy it from a local source.
Buy It Where You Burn It

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