Sheep

Sheep Island, together with nearby Monroe and Ash, form a trio of large islands permanently protected by [Maine Coast Heritage Trust](https://www.mcht.org/) at the northern end of the Muscle Ridge Channel. It was acquired in 2021 with considerable community interest and support owing to a long tradition of local access to the island. Sitting only about a half mile from shore, the island is fairly easy to reach from nearby Owls Head and Rockland launches.

Rimmed by cobble and gravel beaches, Sheep offers many landing options, but the best access is via the beach along the northern shore (larger boaters should mind the submerged bar at lower tides). From the eastern end of the beach, visitors will find a picnic area and path that leads east to the shoreline, and north to a clearing with the campsite containing a 10’ x 10’ tent platform. The trail continues to a scenic overlook at the northeast corner of the island offering views of Vinalhaven and greater Penobscot Bay. A short distance from the picnic area is a small cabin – a holdover from prior ownership. Please respect the privacy of any cabin occupants.

The shoreline of Sheep Island is walkable at all but the highest tides and varies from beaches and pocket coves to exposed ledge backed by eroding bluffs. At the southeastern end of the island, a tidally submerged bar connects Sheep to a prominent rocky islet known as Cutters Nubble. As its name suggests, Sheep Island was used for farming during the 1800s following earlier pre-Colonial activity. Today, recreational visitors share the island with many species of birds and other wildlife who utilize the variable shoreline habitats and the interior forest and wetlands.