Holbrook Island Sanctuary State Park

Explore mountainous forests, rocky shores, sandy beaches and an enchanting island within the boundaries of Holbrook Island Sanctuary State Park. Located in Brooksville, Maine, on the scenic Penobscot Bay, this park hosts diverse ecosystems and rapidly changing terrain.

History of Holbrook Island

Holbrook Island is a main attraction of the park and lies on the northeastern edge of Penobscot Bay. First settled by Captain Jesse Holbrook, the 115 acre island provided the large, pine timbers for sailing boats built in the nearby town of Castine. Ownership changed throughout the years and the last owner, Anita Harris, willed the island to the state of Maine under one condition; the island would always remain "a wildlife and natural area... devoted wholly to the preservation of nature."

Activities in the park

Although an area of wildlife and habitat protection, the park is open to the public year-round. Visitors can easily access the island via a park-operated ferry. Within the park's boundaries, hikers can traverse miles of trails through diverse habitats, including Goose Falls, an interesting reversing waterway. Visit sandy and rocky shorelines for impressive views of the Atlantic Ocean and Penobscot Bay. For on-the-water adventures, explore the bay with a kayak or a canoe. You can also try your hand at wrangling in mackerel, striped bass and blue fish, among a plethora of other fish species. Although mostly visited in the summer, exceptional cross-country skiing and snowshoeing during winter months make Holbrook Island a great destination for any season.

For on-the-water and trail-based adventures, make sure to visit Holbrook Island Sanctuary State Park. This park supports many diverse habitats and there is a wide-range of flora and fauna inhabiting the area. Travel to Holbrook Island by ferry and spend the day exploring the beauty of its wildlife and scenery.