Camping Fishing Hiking (trails) Sea kayaking Watchable wildlife Campground Picnic area

Description

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Browntail Moth Alert

Open 9:00 a.m. to sunset daily from Memorial Day to September 15. Fee Charged. - cash or check only, no credit cards accepted.

5/15/2023: Lincolnville Parking Update! Due to the increase in the volume of vehicles wanting to use the Lincolnville Ferry Terminal parking lot, only ferry customers will be allowed to buy parking passes. The previously granted waivers will not be given. We encourage park visitors and campers to use the ferry, find alternative parking in Lincolnville, or launch their boats in Belfast.

NOTE: This park is an island; you need your own boat to get here. Public transportation is not available. There is no landline phone available on the island. Cellphone service is generally reliable.

View Campground Photos on Google Earth

Serenity describes this spruce-covered island park that's tucked away in Penobscot Bay where visitors use their own boat to access the island. The park is designed for the boating public, and there is no public ferry transportation to the island. Campers choose from one of the 12 campsites or the three Adirondack shelters for accommodations. A trip to Warren Island is guaranteed to create memories that will last all winter long!

Read the September 22, 2020 Rubys on the Road review of the island camping.

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

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History

If you are interested in learning about geology around the state, check out the Maine Geological Survey Searchable Database.

Warren Island State Park was acquired by the people of the State of Maine as a gift from the Town of Islesboro in 1959. The 70 acre island, located approximately three miles off the coast of Lincolnville, was the first State Park in Maine developed exclusively for the boating enthusiast.

Old British Admiralty charts indicate that a single dwelling, believed to be owned by a Nathaniel Pendleton, existed near the center of the island in pre American Revolutionary War days.

At least a half dozen families lived on Warren Island during the nineteenth century. The longest recorded residence of nearly sixty years was that of George Warren (married to Lydia Hatch). The Warrens resided in a sturdy farmhouse near center island which was surrounded by several acres of cleared farm land. George Warren's son (Capt. J.W. Warren) lived on the northwest shore opposite Seven Hundred Acre Island. A.J. Williams owned land on the northeast end of the island. This land believed lived on by a David Williams.

George Warren sold the island to Mansfield Clark of Islesboro for $600 in 1861. One acre was reserved by George Warren, and owned by David Williams. David Williams was married to Mrs. Samuel Haskell (widowed) and lived about halfway along the northeast shore. Foundation rock of their former residence may be found on what is now Picnic Site #1. Three other families (those of Joseph F. McKinney, Elijah Dyer and Jeremiah Warren) were known to have lived on the island during the late 1800's.

A gravestone marked, "Mrs. Zilica, wife of Isaac Thomas; died July 9, 1841, age 22 years." is located off the southeast section of trail leading from mid-island to camping site #7. It has not been determined whether the Thomas family actually lived on Warren Island, or if they lived on Seven Hundred Acre Island and were buried on Warren Island.

Warren Island was sold to Wm. H. Folwell in 1899. He then built what is thought to be the most expensive log cabin in New England on the island. The island remained in the possession of the Folwell family until it was acquired by the town of Islesboro in lieu of taxes. The town sold it to the State of Maine for $1.00 in 1958 with the stipulation that it was to be used for recreational purposes.

The Island was officially dedicated as a State Park on June 30, 1967. Gov. Kenneth Curtis, and 40 state and local officials took part in the ceremony at approximately 4 P.M. A dinner of lobster, clams, pie, and coffee was enjoyed by all after the ceremony despite the threat of impending rain.

Mr. Malcolm Graf was the first Park Manager from 1968 to 1983 before being lost at sea. "Mac" established a tradition of Thoughtful Management. The "safe enjoyment" of all visitors and campers while on the island was of prime concern to him. State Park rules were judiciously upheld; always tempered by Mac's innate awareness of human frailty. It is the intent of the present management to continue in the tradition established by him.

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Activities

• Camping
• Fishing
• Hiking (trails)
• Sea kayaking
• Watchable wildlife

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Rules

• ACCESS - Access to the island is provided at the pier, located on the eastern shore. A limited number of courtesy moorings in deeper water adjacent to the pier are provided for the larger boats on a first come, first serve basis. Park staff are not allowed to transport visitors except in an emergency.
• ARRIVAL - Upon arrival on the island, visitors are asked to register themselves at the Visitors Information Center, an open air kiosk near the pier. Campers will find courtesy carts for use in carrying gear to the campsites. Please note that several campsites are "reservable" through the State Park Reservation System at www.CampWithME.com, and may be marked by signs showing that they have already been claimed for the night. All camping must take place only on designated and marked campsites provided by the park.
• FIRE - Please be careful with fire. Fires are allowed without special permits only in fire pits and grills that have been provided by the park. Visitors may gather firewood on the island, but are reminded that live vegetation must not be disturbed.
• TRASH - Since the park is an island with no public services, visitors are asked to carry out all trash that they may generate during a visit. This is particularly true of organic and non-burnable trash from camping. We ask that no trash be disposed in our privy toilet facilities.
• WATER - Drinking water is available at the pier and in the middle of the island. Please help protect our water supply by bathing and washing dishes away from this water source.
• CAMPING SEASON - During the operating season (Memorial Day to September 15), Warren Island is patrolled regularly by park rangers. There are times, however, when no staff will be available to provide assistance. Visitors are encouraged to familiarize themselves with emergency procedures posted at the Visitors Information Center. Again, there are no standard utilities on Warren Island, including telephone service or electricity.
• EMERGENCY MESSAGES - If you cannot reach Warren Island staff at (207) 446-7090, then emergency messages for island campers may be delivered by contacting rangers at Camden Hills State Park 207-236-3109.
• FMI - A visit to Warren Island is a unique experience. To help preserve that experience, please leave the park's natural and historic features for others to enjoy. A complete list of park rules and regulations is posted at the Visitors Information Center.
• See Rules for State Parks and Historic Sites

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

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Trails

View the Warren Island State Park map at Maine Trail Finder.

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Tours and Programs

View the Maine Parks and Lands EVENT CALENDAR

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Services and Facilities

• Campground
• Picnic area
• See Visitor Accessibility

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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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