Battle

This delightful island is located on the Bagaduce River 4.5 miles northeast of Castine. If you are traveling up the Bagaduce, you should plan your visit well, as there are tricky whirlpools, eddies, and unmarked ledges at the Narrows off Jones Point. Watch the tide and believe the charts! For small boats, there is easier access to the island from the South Penobscot ramp, which is less than two miles upriver from the island. However, this launch area is usable only at the upper half of the tide and parking is limited.

In 2011, the [Maine Coast Heritage Trust](https://www.mcht.org/) acquired Battle Island as a public preserve and began the process of restoring the island to a more natural condition by removing the cabin and related structures erected by the previous owners. The island remains open for public access, with low-impact camping permitted in the open areas near the top of the wooden stairs. The best landing is on the southern shore by the stairs, but watch your step, as the rocks below the high water line are very slippery. To prevent erosion, please use stairs to ascend the bank.