Doughty Point and Island
Harpswell area · Casco Bay
- Trail —
- Size ~42 acres
- Coordinates 43.838° N, 69.939° W
- Owner Harpswell Heritage Land Trust
Description
Located on the northern end of Great Island, the Doughty Point and Island Preserve is made up of a 40-acre forested parcel on Doughty Point and 2-acre Doughty Island. The peninsula is covered by a mature forest of white pine, red spruce, red oak, and mixed hardwoods. Spartina grasses fringe the point with extensive tidal mudflats to the east.
An old cellar hole and cemetery at the north end of the preserve tell of the agricultural heritage of Harpswell, a time when the forests were all cleared and sheep grazed the land. The tides rush through Prince Gurnet (gurnet means a “place of fast water”) between the point and island, making it a good place to fish for striped bass.
The best places to land on Doughty Point are in the cove to the southwest of Doughy Island or in the small cove at the tip of the peninsula. The preserve is within easy paddling distance from the boat launches off Hildreth Road in Harpswell or off Princes Point Road in Brunswick. There is no land access to Doughty Point.
The north end of Doughy Island has an active eagle nest. Please do not visit the island until July 1 and steer clear of the northern side of the island altogether.
Details
Anchorage
Good anchorage ground to the west of the island. For smaller vessels accessing Doughty Point, anchor to the north of the point in the cove out of the channel.
Guidelines
Camping is not permitted. Day use only.
Open fires are not permitted. Fires not allowed.
Pets must be under owner control and should not bother wildlife, neighbors or other users. Pets must be on leash during bird nesting season: April 15-July 31.
Eagle in residence on north end of Doughty Island. Please do not visit until July 1 and steer clear of the northern side of the island.