Little Chebeague

Its broad sand and gravel beaches make Little Chebeague a popular destination for day trippers in Casco Bay. Well-maintained walking paths wind through a mix of fields and forest, and past the remains of a hotel and resort community that thrived on the island in the late 1800s. Interpretive signs mark the locations and histories of several cottages and other historical remnants, most of which exist only as piles of rubble. The most visible artifact of the island’s wartime past is the steel building on the southeast-facing beach, which was used by the Navy for shipboard firefighter training during WWII.

There are three campsites along the east shore of the island, including two on the beach facing Chandler Cove above the high water line and one on the grassy berm at the northeast end of the beach. Please avoid trampling dune grass and other fragile beach vegetation. Additional campsites can be found in the interior, and include a tent platform nestled in the woods by the south kiosk, a nearby grassy site with screened water views, and a more secluded site at the northwest end of the island.

From Memorial Day to Labor Day, a seasonal caretaker resides in a cabin on Little Chebeague and serves as an educational resource, looking after the island and encouraging thoughtful use. The island is heavily used during the summer by boaters and by hikers from Great Chebeague, who cross the sandbar when the tide is low. Two privies are available on the island; one along the walking trail from the beach to the island interior and the other near the sandbar to Great Chebeague.

Please note that ticks and poison ivy abound on Little Chebeague, and fire ants and browntail moth caterpillars (which may cause a rash or respiratory problems) have been present in recent years.