Wander in Wonder

If you've ever wondered, "is there a desert in Maine?" the answer is a fascinating, "sort of." The Desert of Maine is one of the most unique places in Maine, offering a surprising landscape of glacial sand dunes tucked away in the lush, green pine forests of Freeport. While it isn't a true desert by rainfall standards, it is a geological phenomenon caused by a combination of ancient glacial sand and 19th-century farming practices. Today, it stands as one of the premier Maine tourist attractions, blending history, science, and outdoor fun.

Located just minutes from the famous L.L.Bean Flagship Store, this is one of the top things to do in Freeport, Maine. Whether you're looking for educational attractions in Maine or just a hidden gem for your Maine bucket list destinations, the Desert offers something for everyone. For long road trips (like to Acadia National Park), stretch your legs on our Ecology Walk, make time for a bite at the Oasis Snack Bar after a round of Mini Golf, or even stay overnight at our luxury Campground.

Searching for kid-friendly attractions in Maine? The Desert of Maine is a premier choice for Freeport, Maine family activities. It's more than just a walk in the sand; it's a natural playground. Kids can get hands-on with a fossil dig experience or try gemstone mining for kids, making it one of the best outdoor activities for kids in Maine. You can also play Mini Golf on a course designed to mirror the unique topography of the area. Plus, it's a popular spot for Educational Field Trips where kids and adults alike can learn about soil erosion and glacial history.

If you're planning a Maine road trip, this is one of the best places to visit near Portland, Maine. View our current Desert of Maine hours and to book your Desert of Maine tickets in advance, especially during the peak summer season. For a truly immersive experience, look into the Desert of Maine campground. It offers everything from traditional sites to Maine glamping near Freeport. Head to Plan Your Visit to find out more.

While walk-ins are welcome, we strongly recommend reserving your tickets online in advance, especially during peak summer weekends. Pre-purchasing ensures your entry and allows for a seamless, contactless check-in experience upon arrival.

Daily Admission provides full access to the dunes, our curated nature trails, the Living Museum exhibits, and the historic Tuttle Farmhouse. It also includes our narrated train tour, which offers an in-depth look at the site's unique geology and history.

The main pavilion, museum, and parts of the historic barn are fully accessible. However, the dunes themselves consist of soft, shifting sand and can be difficult to navigate with standard wheelchairs or strollers. We recommend sturdy footwear for all guests.

All season!

Email us at hello@desertofmaine.com

Yes, only a couple of our discounts are available digitally, our active duty military discount and senior (65+) discount can be used when buying online tickets. All other discounts are available in person.

Yes, we can still honor the "combo" ticket pricing if you decide to start with just the dunes, or just mini golf, then add the other afterwards on the same day. Please let staff know when you do so.

It really depends on your pace, interests, the weather, and many other variables. We have a 1-mile loop that can lead you to many of the major sights while giving you an overview of the history, geology and ecology of this place. Some people spend an hour here while others spend a few.

We recommend comfortable footwear, sun protection, bug spray, and something to drink, especially if it's hot out.

Yes, we allow well-behaved dogs on a leash. Please make sure to clean up after your dogs. Other types of pets are not permitted. Only ADA-designated service dogs are permitted on the mini golf course.

Our electric train runs approximately 10am to 3pm daily during July and August and 10am to 3pm on Saturdays and Sundays during May, September, and October. The train schedule is dependent on staff availability, weather (rain and heat), and maintenance.

No! It is included with general admission tickets.

The train primarily offers an extra mode for visitors to get around portions of the property. It allows a break from walking, and can be a fun way to enhance your experience. In the future we may add more educational opportunities for the train ride.

The train runs on a loop through a portion of the dunes and woods, but due to its design, it cannot drive the whole property easily, and therefore is not a perfect solution for those who cannot navigate the dunes or the property. To get to the train, visitors must navigate through the Welcome Center, up our boardwalk, and to the bottom of the dunes to get to the first train stop.

All-terrain strollers work best on the dunes. We have a couple that are available to visitors on a first come, first served basis.

Most manual wheelchairs and motorized wheelchairs will have difficulty moving through the sand. We have a beach wheelchair available for visitors to use on a first come, first served basis, however it does require someone to push it.

Yes. Our Welcome Center has two accessible, all-gender restrooms and both are equipped with changing tables.

Yes! We have a seating area by the playground and snack bar where you can sit and enjoy your ice cream, hot dogs, and drinks.

Absolutely!

Definitely! Please make sure to bring any trash and empty bottles back with you.

It is an 18-hole course, so depending on your group size, how busy the course is, and your pace, it could take 30 to 60 minutes.

Yes, weekend afternoons, and some weekday afternoons, particularly in July and August, can be especially busy for us, and may result in short wait times for new players to get started.

We only allow ADA-designated service dogs on the mini golf course.

Mostly. Holes 4 to 7 require navigating a couple stairs down and a moderate incline up. The rest of the course is accessible and includes curb cuts to allow access to and from each hole. Adjustable putters with ball retrievers are available upon request.

If you plan to bring a group of less than 30 people, you do not need to coordinate with us in advance. If you plan to bring more than 30 people, please reach out ahead of time. Certain days and times may be more challenging for us to accommodate larger groups. All groups, regardless of size, will need to split up into smaller groups of no more than 5 people per group to play the course.