50% off for same-day replay
10% off for seniors (65+)
10% off for active duty military
10% off for Dune passholders
20% off for groups of 20 or more
50% off for Snap/EBT/WIC/Mainecase program partipants
Discounts
115,00 thousand years at the Desert of Maine… from glaciers to live camels
Desert of Maine is one of the most unique places in the state. It’s far more than 20 acres of rolling sand dunes in the middle of the forest. Offering an unforgettable experience for those seeking things to do in Freeport, Maine, it has a rich history going back 15,000 years. It’s been an iconic tourist attraction for a century.
Watch our animated history video to get the full story.
Visit us in person and you’ll discover 25 acres of glacial sand dunes hidden in a lush forest. Plus, this century-old Maine tourist attraction features a historical farmhouse museum, gemstone mining for kids, and Desert of Maine mini golf. Whether you’re looking for educational attractions in Maine or Maine road trip stops near Freeport, this hidden gem is a must-see for nature lovers and curious travelers alike.
Uncover Maine geology, history, and ecology at this unique Freeport attraction
Experience ecological wonders
At the Desert of Maine, an ecological tug of war takes place between the forest and the dunes—500 rolling acres of sand deposited by glaciers tens of thousands of years ago. Take a self-guided ecology walk and discover the Recovery Zone, a living classroom where you can see reforestation happening in real time.
Uncover geological secrets
The dunes are made of glacial sand, which was hidden beneath the soil until the 19th century. Look closely at the sand and you'll see shades of purple, red, and blue. These are tiny pieces of rocks crushed by the glacier, tossed by the sea, and transformed by other geological processes. At the Geology Lab, you can see the dune material under a microscope and bust the myths of what it’s made of using geologist sieves.
Learn a little-known history
The Tuttle family built their homestead here in the 1840s. Little did they know, a massive deposit of glacial sand was just below the soil. As their sheep grazed, and their fields of potatoes and hay increased, the topsoil disappeared. Small patches of sand began to appear until the farm eventually became a desert.
Enjoy activities for the whole family
The Desert of Maine offers a natural playground that far exceeds a typical park. This sought-after destination for Freeport Maine family activities can keep kids entertained and active through hands-on discovery and active play.
Play Mini Golf
along the dunes
Dig for treasures at
Gemstone Village
Ride through forest and the dunes in an 1800s-style Train
Loved by visitors, passholders, and press
It’s a place unlike any other in Maine...
The Desert of Maine is a must visit spot.
Mike, Google review
Visiting this amazing place is a summer staple for us.
Emily, Season Passholder
Joseph, Google review
I wish we’d spent more time here. We’ll definitely be back to explore the dunes and the farmhouse.
Brooke, Freeport Local
FEATURED IN
Loved by visitors, passholders, and press
It’s a place unlike any other in Maine...
The Desert of Maine is a must visit spot.
Mike, Google review
Visiting this amazing place is a summer staple for us.
Emily, Season Passholder
Joseph, Google review
I wish we’d spent more time here. We’ll definitely be back to explore the dunes and the farmhouse.
Brooke, Freeport Local
FEATURED IN
Clint Harp, award-winning carpenter, HGTV hit show Fixer Upper alum, and host of Restoration Road, heads to the Desert of Maine. He takes on a challenge: to transport, rebuild and assemble our 18th century New England Cape Cod house as a historical museum.
“It’s a place unlike any other in Maine,” reports NBC’s News Center Maine. “Acres of fine sand stretches out into the distance, complete with sand dunes, looking much like, well, a miniature desert. Welcome to the Desert of Maine, an ecological oddity that’s been a tourist attraction for a century.”
Our re-opening made a splash in the local papers. The Press Herald got an exclusive: how we launched The Desert of Maine, reopening with new attractions and a focus on sciences. They also chronicle the unveiling of our nonprofit to promote arts and sciences.
Explore the Desert of Maine through the lens of journalists and ecologists alike
115,00 thousand years at the Desert of Maine… from glaciers to live camels
Desert of Maine is one of the most unique places in the state. It’s far more than 20 acres of rolling sand dunes in the middle of the forest. Offering an unforgettable experience for those seeking things to do in Freeport, Maine, it has a rich history going back to the 1800s. It’s been an iconic tourist attraction for a century.
Watch our animated history video to get the full story.
Visit us in person and you’ll discover 25 acres of glacial sand dunes hidden in a lush forest. Plus, this century-old Maine tourist attraction features a historical farmhouse museum, gemstone mining for kids, and Desert of Maine mini golf. Whether you’re looking for educational attractions in Maine or Maine road trip stops near Freeport, this hidden gem is a must-see for nature lovers and curious travelers alike.
Clint Harp, award-winning carpenter, HGTV hit show Fixer Upper alum, and host of Restoration Road, heads to the Desert of Maine. He takes on a challenge: to transport, rebuild and assemble our 18th century New England Cape Cod house as a historical museum.
“It’s a place unlike any other in Maine,” reports NBC’s News Center Maine. “Acres of fine sand stretches out into the distance, complete with sand dunes, looking much like, well, a miniature desert. Welcome to the Desert of Maine, an ecological oddity that’s been a tourist attraction for a century.”
Our re-opening made a splash in the local papers. The Press Herald got an exclusive: how we launched The Desert of Maine, reopening with new attractions and a focus on sciences. They also chronicle the unveiling of our nonprofit to promote arts and sciences.
Explore the Desert of Maine through the lens of journalists and ecologists alike
A word from our ecologist
There’s something achingly beautiful about a harsh, exposed landscape. The emptiness, the edges—they bring everything into sharp focus. A fascinating story of resilience and recovery is unfolding before you. The plants have so much to teach us. We just need to slow down, be quiet, and listen with reverence and respect.
-Deborah Perkins
First Light Wildlife Habitats
