Lobster Cove Meadow and Penny Lake

The Boothbay Region Land Trust has created many popular preserves on the Boothbay peninsula, protecting valuable wildlife habitat and recreational opportunities for community residents. A Land for Maine’s Future Program grant and funds from the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service helped to create two new preserves encompassing both Boothbay Harbor’s major freshwater wetlands.

The properties are rich in wildlife, allowing visitors to see bald eagles, egrets, waterfowl, and many small mammals. The 29-acre Penny Lake Preserve lies in the center of Boothbay Harbor, next door to both the elementary and the high school–giving students a convenient setting in which to study the natural world through ongoing field projects. A half-mile universally accessible loop trail runs past woods, fields and freshwater wetlands that are home to beaver, moose, turtles, frogs and a diverse array of plants. Lobster Meadow has historical as well as ecological value, having been a homestead site in the early 1600s. It was later used as a grist mill and then dammed in the 1880s to make an ice pond. The 37-acre area also saw some mining for sand and gravel in the 1900s. A mile-long hiking trail provides views of Lobster Cove Meadow, and great birdwatching opportunities during much of the year.

Closest Town
Boothbay Harbor

Activities
Bird & other wildlife watching, hiking, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and dog walking (on leash)

Region
Midcoast Maine – Sagadahoc, Lincoln, Knox, Waldo

Acres
66

Directions from nearest town
Maine Atlas and Gazetteer, Map 7, C-2. To Lobster Cove Meadow: take Route 27 south from Boothbay and turn left onto Route 96 at the stoplight. In .3 miles, turn right onto Eastern Avenue. The kiosk and parking is on the left just after that turn. To Penny Lake: take Route 27 south through Boothbay Center, turning right into the Carousel Music Theater parking area (after the Boothbay YMCA). Follow a dirt road (to the right of the building) back to the kiosk and parking area.