This resource is provided to help people find publicly accessible places around southern Maine to observe the night sky as individuals, or in small groups or large groups.  This will be an evolving project as we receive more suggestions and feedback from users.  Thanks to our members who suggested some great sites for observing the night sky and provided the data below.   Please obey any posted restrictions on land access, and if in doubt please contact appropriate access authorities to clarify permissions.   If you find any erroneous information here please let us know, or if you have another suggestion we would love to hear about it.

Observing Sites -Map

Click on the site markers for more information.

Observing Sites - Alphabetical by Town

Brunswick:  Livesay Field

TYPE: Town Soccer Field

ADDRESS: 18 Middle Bay Rd, Brunswick, ME 04011, USA 

https://maps.app.goo.gl/DwpAawvAbqqgvtaM6

ACCESS:

Public/Private: Public

Parking: Parallel along Middle Bay Rd

Capacity: space for about 6 cars

Cost: Free

Hours: not restricted

Permission: No

Contact: N/A

FEATURES

Setup from parking:  Short walk down a hill

Surface: Grass

Bortle: 4

Restroom: No

Power: No

COMMENTS:  

Good horizon to E, S and W.   

Brunswick:  Wharton's Point 

TYPE: Town boat launch

ADDRESS: 478-498 Maquoit Rd, Brunswick, ME 04011, United States

https://maps.app.goo.gl/9DWRpuX4dtb6Yemq7

ACCESS:

Public/Private:  Public

Parking: Yes

Capacity: >10

Cost: Free

Hours: 24h

Permission: No

Contact: N/A

FEATURES

Setup from parking:  Close

Surface: Gravel or grass

Bortle: 4

Restroom: No

Power: No

COMMENTS:

Best views to E, S and W.  Adjacent to salt marsh so bring bug repellent in warm months! 

Cape Elizabeth:  Kettle Cove State Park

TYPE: State Park

ADDRESS: Kettle Cove Rd, Cape Elizabeth, ME 04107, United States

https://maps.app.goo.gl/gkVcuUgYCbX7n6gq8

ACCESS:

     Public/Private: Public

     Parking: Yes

     Capacity: >10

     Cost: free

     Hours: Dawn to dusk

     Permission: After sunset

     Contact: 207-799-5871

FEATURES

     Setup from parking: close

     Surface: grass, parking lot

     Bortle: 4

     Restroom: no

     Power: no

COMMENTS:

Year-round.  No gate.  Oceanfront.  360 degree horizon.  

Cumberland: Twin Brook Recreation Area

TYPE: Town park and soccer fields

ADDRESS: 185 Tuttle Rd, Cumberland, ME 04021, United States

https://maps.app.goo.gl/HxKeD8gNF9CynFFc8

ACCESS:

Public/Private: Public

Parking: Yes

Capacity: >30

Cost: Free

Hours: 6a-6p (Nov 2-Mar 31), 6a-9p (Apr 1-Nov1)

Permission: After hours

Contact: 207-829-2208

FEATURES

Setup from parking: Close

Surface: Gravel or grass

Bortle: 4

Restroom: No

Power: No

COMMENTS:

Freeport: Hunter Road Fields

TYPE: Town Soccer Fields

ADDRESS: 96 Hunter Rd, Freeport, ME 04032, United States

https://maps.app.goo.gl/MRBSsV1gjBaKduB26

ACCESS:

Public/Private: Public

Parking: Yes

Capacity: >20

Cost: $50-100 for groups

Hours: Sunrise to sunset

Permission: Yes

Contact: 207-865-4743

FEATURES

Setup from parking: Close

Surface:  Gravel or grass

Bortle: 4

Restroom: No

Power: No

COMMENTS: 

Freeport: Winslow Memorial Park

TYPE: Town Park

ADDRESS: 10 Winslow Park Way, Freeport, ME 04032, United States

https://maps.app.goo.gl/29YDAedH8u5MEgsz7

ACCESS:

Public/Private: Public

Parking: Yes

Capacity: >30

Cost: day use $2-3, fees for overnight camping

Hours: Sunrise to sunset for day users

Permission: Yes

Contact: 207-865-4198

FEATURES

Setup from parking: Close

Surface: Gravel, grass, beach

Bortle: 4

Restroom: Yes

Power: No

COMMENTS:

Excellent E, S and W views from beach or grassy area above the beach.  NE side of park is a large, busy campground with many recreational vehicles during summer months. 

Harpswell: George J. Mitchell Field

TYPE: Town Park

ADDRESS: 1410 Harpswell Neck Rd, Harpswell, ME 04079

https://maps.app.goo.gl/99yUUBBwLQGoQR5q6

ACCESS:

     Public/Private: Public

     Parking: Yes

     Capacity: >10

     Cost: See comments

     Hours: Dawn to dusk

     Permission: Required after sunset

     Contact: ???

FEATURES

     Setup from parking: close for small groups, large groups will park up to 200 yards away

     Surface: grass, parking lot

     Bortle: 4

     Restroom: no

     Power: no

COMMENTS: 

Gated but often left open. Can make arrangements with Cumberland County Sheriff to have gate open. There may be a fee for group rentals. Suggested telescope setup site is in the small waterfront parking lot. Larger groups can park in two nearby lots. 

Liberty:  Lake St. George State Park

TYPE: State Park

ADDRESS: 278 Belfast Augusta Rd, Liberty, ME 04949, United States

https://maps.app.goo.gl/pcWdbaBkK29vQjG39

ACCESS:

     Public/Private: Public

     Parking: Yes

     Capacity: >10

     Cost: $5

     Hours: 9 am to sunset

     Permission: after sunset

     Contact: 207-589-4255

FEATURES

     Setup from parking: close

     Surface: Grass, parking lot 

     Bortle: 3

     Restroom: Yes

     Power: Yes

COMMENTS:

Year-round.  Winter camping.  Lakeside. 

South Portland:  Willard Beach

TYPE:  City Park

ADDRESS: 1 Willow Street, South Portland, ME 04106, United States

https://maps.app.goo.gl/YgtrWXn727ULM2n58

ACCESS:

     Public/Private: Public

     Parking: Yes

     Capacity: >10

     Cost: Free

     Hours: 24h

     Permission: No

     Contact:  

FEATURES

     Setup from parking:

     Surface:  Grass, beach, or parking lot

     Bortle: 5

     Restroom: Yes

     Power: No

COMMENTS:

Town beach.  Set up in lot, on beach, or grass.  Horizon is clear 0-180, and low 180-360. 

South Portland:  Bug Light Park

TYPE: City Park

ADDRESS: South Portland

https://maps.google.com/?cid=4611384384249629491

ACCESS:

Public/Private: Public

Parking: Yes

Capacity: >10

Cost: Free

Hours: 8 am to 10 pm

Permission:  No

Contact:

FEATURES

Setup from parking: Short walk

Surface:  Grass, parking lot

Bortle: 5

Restroom: Yes

Power: No

COMMENTS:

Set up in lot, on grass.  Heavier light pollution to north from Portland