Wildlife Spotting near Portland, Maine: 4 Easy Hiking Trails
When people think of Portland, Maine, they’re usually thinking about fresh seafood and iconic lighthouses. But there is a lot more to see in this part of coastal Maine, especially the wildlife. We spent a week exploring hiking trails to see how much wildlife we could actually spot. This guide covers the 4 hiking trails we found with the coolest wildlife sightings. From birds and wild turkeys to fungi and wildflowers, these hiking trails near Portland, Maine will leave you in awe.
Prefer to see these trails in action? We explored hiking trails near Portland, Maine to find as much wildlife as possible. Watch the video below to see the trails and plants and animals we spotted on each.
1. Scarborough Marsh Audubon Center
Trail length: 0.5 miles out and back
Elevation gain: 0 feet
Difficulty: Easy
This 3,100 acre estuary is the largest salt marsh in Maine, comprising tidal marsh, salt creeks, uplands, and freshwater marsh. There are several ways to explore the Scarborough Marsh Audubon Center: hiking, canoeing, or kayaking. We chose to explore the marsh by foot, taking our time to go through the 0.5 mile trail, which consists mainly of wooden planks over the marsh. This area is a critical habitat for many animals, including waterfowl, glossy ibis, herons, egrets, muskrats, otters, and deer, many of which we were able to spot during our hike. If you choose to rent a canoe or kayak (or bring your own), you will be able to get out on the water and go up close with some of the birds in this area. The Audubon Center offers benches to sit and watch the habitat at work, plus a ton of information on what wildlife frequents the area and how to spot them. Although it’s a short hike, this marsh is absolutely worth the visit.
Tips: There are a lot of events like bird walks and naturalist led talks, so check their calendar before planning your trip.
Learn more about the Scarborough Marsh Audubon Center.
2. The Scarborough River Wildlife Sanctuary
Trail length: 1.1 mile loop
Elevation gain: 98 feet
Difficulty: Easy
The Scarborough River Wildlife Sanctuary comprises 56 acres of preserved land which borders the Scarborough River Estuary. Natural springs feed the ponds of the estuary which overflow into Scarborough Marsh, creating the perfect environment for bird watching. This large upland area consists of fields, forests, and a ton of native plants and wildflowers. Most of the trail is wooded, making it a great spot to stop and watch the birds or insects buzzing around the wildflowers. The area is even known to have bald eagles visit occasionally. The natural trails weave through the marsh and around the ponds, giving you a perfect view of the different habitats of coastal Maine. Scarborough River Wildlife Sanctuary
Tips: Some of the trail has very tall grass, so be sure to check for ticks after visiting. We found several on ourselves and our dog after our hike.
Learn more about the history of the Scarborough Wildlife Sanctuary.
3. Fuller Farm Preserve
Trail length: 4 miles of trails, many with loop options
Elevation gain: N/A
Difficulty: Easy
This 224 acre preserve features large open fields, wooded areas, a springtime waterfall, and 4 miles of trails to choose from. We chose to hike the hayfield trail, which is a .5 mile loop, where you walk on a long raised boardwalk through the fields and wooded areas. The surrounding fields were covered in native wildflowers, bringing a ton of insects including butterflies and dragonflies. The tall grass was the perfect habitat for grasshoppers, who we spotted jumping along the boardwalk with us. This is a very quiet trail outside of the city and the perfect place to enjoy the beautiful scenery of Maine without the crowds.
Tips: We recommend wearing long pants on this trail since you are surrounded by tall grass and ticks are prevalent in this area in the summer.
Learn more about the trails and history of the Fuller Farm Preserve.
4. East Point Audubon Sanctuary
Trail length: 1.6 miles out and back
Elevation gain: 72 feet
Difficulty: Easy
This trail in Biddeford, Maine includes a 1.6 out and back trail along the coastline of the Atlantic Ocean and Saco Bay, including views of Wood Island Lighthouse. The trail begins in a residential area and borders a golf course before it opens up to the coastline. The entrance of the trail has a large butterfly garden, which had several butterflies enjoying it when we visited, along with a wild turkey. With more than 260 different bird species spotted in this sanctuary, you will feel like you’re surrounded by wildlife as you walk along this trail. The trail itself is relatively flat, but there are several areas to walk down onto the beach and see the water. The waters are a feeding ground for several species like tern, Common Eider, and other seabirds, so bring binoculars or a camera so you can get a closer look. We spent a few hours on this trail, stopping to enjoy the plants and using our binoculars to spot birds in the trees and out on the water. If you only have time for one trail, this is the one we recommend.
Tips: Parking is very limited along the shoulder of the road at this trailhead, so arrive early or visit during off times.
Learn more about Easy Point Audubon Sanctuary.
Other Wildlife Spotting: Whale Watching Tours
Although Portland isn’t the premier spot for it, there are whale watching tours available from the city if you are looking to spot marine wildlife. There are a few companies that offer tours that go offshore from Casco Bay. These tours do not guarantee whale sightings and you may have better luck further north, like Bar Harbor. We went on our tour during prime humpback whale season in Maine and although we didn’t spot any whales, we were able to spot a sunfish and a few harbor porpoises. While the tour can be a hit or miss depending on sightings, it’s worth it if you want to see marine wildlife and are only visiting the Portland area.
Tips: The Atlantic Ocean can get very choppy and it’s common for people to get seasick on these tours, ourselves included! We recommend dramamine or an alternative to help with sea sickness.
Whether you’re in the area for vacation or just looking for some good wildlife spotting areas, these four hiking trails are the perfect places to slow down and enjoy the natural beauty of coastal Maine. There are tons of birds to spot all around this area and if you take time to look closer, you might even be able to spot a few rare ones. If you’ve gone wildlife spotting near Portland, Maine, let us know your favorite areas to visit!
You May Also Like
About the Authors
For us, travel isn't about checking destinations off a list. We love connecting with new places through its natural spaces, trails, wildlife, and native plants. Whether we're living on the road in our 21-foot travel trailer or traveling abroad, we hope our stories inspire you to slow down on your travels, spend more time outside, and discover the beauty all around the world.
Explore coastal Maine through these four hiking trails that are perfect for wildlife spotting.