Spend a day in Owls Head

Photos and text by Kelly Michaud, editor

Sometimes it’s nice to get away from the hustle and bustle of some of the Midcoast’s more prominent destinations. So if you’re looking for a place to spend an enjoyable, relaxing day, visit the town of Owls Head, located south of Rockland. Owls Head was originally a part of South Thomaston, until it officially became a town on July 9, 1921.

On Shore Drive in Owls Head you’ll find the Owls Head General Store. The front of the store is full of beautiful flowers and inside, it resembles an old-fashioned general store, complete with friendly faces and nickel candy. Grab a sandwich, pizza or snack and drive further down the road to the Owls Head lighthouse for a picnic lunch.

Owls Head Light State Park at Birch Point is on Lighthouse Road and is open seasonally from Memorial Day to Labor Day. The lighthouse was built in 1825 and automated in 1989. The tower is 30 feet tall and made of brick. Both the lighthouse and keeper’s house (built in 1854) are closed to the public and are maintained by the U.S. Coast Guard, but the surrounding area is open to the public. Here you can have a picnic and sit on a picnic table, surrounded by wild rose bushes or grab a spot on a large rock and enjoy the ocean breeze up close. There are also grills so you can barbecue some goodies from home — just remember to bring briquettes and lighter fluid. There isn’t a sandy beach area, but there is a spot with smaller crushed rocks, as well as an area with larger rocks, that are now smooth from the ocean.
After lunch do some exploring of the area but keep in mind, if you’re going to explore the rocks, wear sneakers or sandals that attach to your feet. There are also short trails that wind around the area that are fun to explore. Also, at low tide there are tidal pools, which are great places for children to explore the wonders of marine environments.

If you want a spot to sunbathe on the beach and catch a few rays, relax or go for a brisk swim, visit Birch Point State Park. Take a left off Route 73 onto North Shore Drive and take your first right onto Ash Point Drive. Take the right immediately after the Knox County Regional Airport and the road will guide you to the park. Known locally as Lucia Beach, Birch Point offers wonderful views of scenic Penobscot Bay and the islands beyond Mussel Ridge Channel. It frequently has gentle surf because of the crescent shape of the beach. Massive rocks border the sides of the sand beach and are a perfect spot to sunbathe or have a picnic.

The water, even in August is quite chilly. You need to have a thick skin to brave the water but on a scorching day, it is more than refreshing.

The beach and the rocks and all the surrounding scenery is ideal for photography buffs.

The park is free but visitors should note that there are no lifeguards on duty.

If you want a place that is ideal for just a swim, visit Crockett’s Beach (instead of taking a right to go to Birch Point, take your first left after the airport). There isn’t a sandy beach area but there are places to park if you want to navigate the rocky shore and wade in. Another spot is Crescent Beach. If the tide is right, there is more than 3000 feet of sandy shoreline to enjoy, but there is very little parking.
You can also pass quite a bit of time at the Owls Head Transportation Museum. The museum is home to an extensive collection of cars, trucks, motorcycles, planes, engines and more, all tracing the history of transportation. Among its collection are one-of-a-kind artifacts and even some oddities that were at one time envisioned as great transportation inventions.

The museum is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily through October, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. during the winter. It is located on Route 73, adjacent to Knox County Regional Airport. Admission is $16 for families, $20 most event days; $6 for adults; $4 for children 5-12; and free for museum members and children under age 5.

While you’re in the area, swing by the Knox County Regional Airport and watch the planes take off and land. If you’re lucky, you might just see actor John Travolta fly in. When he’s vacationing in Islesboro, he has been known to land his jet there.

You could easily spend a whole day or more enjoying the natural sights and the manmade wonders of Owls Head. Make sure you put it on your list of places to visit while you’re in Midcoast Maine.

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