Cutler, Maine

The sprawling 12,234-acre Cutler Coast Public Reserved Land, located in Cutler, Maine, offers visitors a captivating experience of Maine's rugged coast.

Location Added By:

@brykdelaney (Instagram)

About This Location

Cutler Coast Public Reserved Land, located in Cutler, Maine, offers visitors a captivating experience of Maine's rugged coast. This sprawling 12,234-acre terrain encapsulates everything from blueberry barrens and dense woodlands to the enchanting peatlands. With a coastline stretching for 4.5 miles and facing the Bay of Fundy, visitors are privy to some of the most spectacular views. The cliffs, forming a significant part of the area's “Bold Coast,” offer undulating landscapes interspersed with pocket coves and pebbly beaches.

Geologically, the Cutler Coast is rich. The igneous bedrock, especially notable in its hexagonal basalt columns, dates back to the Silurian Age. These rocks, estimated to be about 420 million years old, were formed due to a series of volcanic activities that included eruptions and magma intrusions. The vast coastal expanse largely occupies a plateau, elevated around 220 feet above sea level, which has rebounded since the last glacial retreat, approximately 12,000 years ago.

The historical significance of this land is further accentuated by findings from an archaeological dig in 1984. Stone tools and remnants of fire-cracked rocks were discovered, pointing towards the region being inhabited by Native Americans for centuries. European explorers began arriving in the area around 1605, with settlers making their mark around 1785. Timber was a valued resource, and the settlers, in their quest for prosperity, built sawmills. The vast grassland "barrens" which dominate today's landscape were a result of two major fires in the 1850s. Following these events, the region saw a shift towards dairy farming and even had a short stint as a cheese-producing hub in 1881. Remnants of this bygone era, such as stone walls and cellar holes, still echo its history.

The land also experienced significant timber extraction, with the Pejepscot Paper Company harvesting spruce/fir pulp. The 1980s witnessed large-scale timber salvage, a direct consequence of the spruce budworm outbreak. The region's conifers are currently threatened by another pest, the balsam wooly adelgid.

In a significant conservation move, the coastal part of the Cutler Coast Public Lands was procured by the State of Maine in 1989. The joint efforts of The Conservation Fund, the Land for Maine’s Future Program, the Richard King Mellon Foundation, Maine Coast Heritage Trust, and the Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands have ensured the region's preservation.

Today, the Cutler Coast lands are a haven for nature enthusiasts. Open throughout the year, it offers a diverse range of experiences. Summer brings the possibility of spotting whales, while spring to fall is a birdwatcher's delight. However, visitors in late May to early July should be prepared for mosquitoes and black flies. Blueberry lovers can enjoy wild berries in late July and early August. The park offers three main trails for varying levels of hiking, ensuring something for everyone. And while dogs are allowed, they must be on a leash. To maintain the pristine condition of this reserve, visitors are encouraged to adopt a "leave no trace" approach.

In conclusion, the Cutler Coast Public Reserved Land isn't just a destination; it's an experience—one that encapsulates history, nature, and conservation in its truest essence.

Location Features

No items found.

Locations

Address:
ME-191, Cutler, Maine

GPS Coordinates:
44.698333, -67.158028
Directions to location:
Click here for location directions
Directions to parking area:
Click here for parking directions
Parking Notes:
The Cutler Coast Public Reserved Land parking lot is located along ME-191. There are about 30 free parking spaces in the dirt parking lot.

Reviews

Have you visited this location before? Let us know what you thought! (Feature coming soon!)