50% off for same-day replay
10% off for seniors (65+)
10% off for active duty military
10% off for Dune passholders
20% off for groups of 20 or more
50% off for Snap/EBT/WIC/Mainecase program partipants
Discounts
Located just minutes from downtown Freeport, the Desert of Maine offers a startling contrast to the traditional Maine coast. Use this guide to prepare for your sightseeing excursion.
Location & Directions
Address:
95 Desert Road, Freeport, ME 04032
You’ll find the Desert of Maine 2 miles north of Exit 20 off of 295, at the dead end of Desert Road.
Discover the history, ecology, and geology of the Desert through our exhibits and trails
Explore the glacial sand dunes and lush forests of the Desert of Maine through our immersive trail system. As you wander, you’ll encounter educational exhibits that bring Maine geology and history to life, explaining how retreating glaciers and 19th-century farming created this unique natural attraction in New England. Each path offers a fresh perspective on this hidden gem, making it one of the most engaging self-guided tours in Maine for families and curious travelers alike.
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Glacier Park
Climb our glacier wall, explore the glacier cave, fly down a glacier slide and discover the role glaciers played in transforming the Maine landscape
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7
Vernal pool
A seasonal water habitat present primarily during the spring months that provides space for the safe development of numerous species
6
RECOVERY ZONE
A fascinating area where reforestation is playing out before our eyes
5
BURIED TREES
These oak trees slowly became buried in the dunes, but continue to thrive
3
65 FT. Dune
The Desert's highest dune, which is at least 65 ft. from its base
4
Fossil dig
Uncover fossils, animals and minerals from different eras in the geological past
1
GEOLOGY LAB
A special sandbox equipped with geologists' sifting trays and other tools
SPRING HOUSE
A gazebo built in the 1930s atop a natural spring and buried in sand from WWII until we excavated it in 2020
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10
1800s FARMHOUSE
A fully restored early 1800s farmhouse museum
SHADY GROVE FILLING STATION
Our classic roadside filling station full of automobile ephemera from the early 20th century, including vintage signage and a 1924 Ford Model T
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9
STORY WALK
Explore a nature trail as you read our own children's book, sign-by-sign
SANDY THE CAMEL
Sandy has been here since 1950, but she was recently repainted by a local artist who won our "Your Vision Here" contest
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14
SAND ART
Create sand designs & patterns in small bottles using Desert sand
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GEMSTONE VILLAGE
A labyrinth complete with a gnome home, floating bridge, faery house building station & other surprises
Create your perfect visit itinerary
What could a day at the Desert of Maine look like? Whether you're interested in spending a day exploring Maine history and ecology, playing on the dunes, or you want to enjoy a round of mini golf, there are a lot of ways to fill your day with fun, discovery, and magic! Plan ahead by exploring what the Desert of Maine experience includes.
Enjoy a scenic train ride
See the sights from our electric train, fashioned after an 1800s Maine Central Railroad engine. Enjoy a tour of the dunes and forest in a half-mile loop, stopping at many of our visitors’ favorite exhibits, including Gemstone Village, Fossil Dig, Shady Grove and the Tuttle Farmhouse.
115,00 thousand years at the Desert of Maine… from glaciers to live camels
The Desert of Maine is a weird and wonderful place. It is far more than just the 20 acres of rolling sand dunes in the middle of a lush forest. It has rich history going back to the 1800s, and it has been an iconic tourist destination in Maine for nearly 100 years. It’s fun, educational, beautiful—well-suited for families with kids, history buffs, nature lovers, science nerds, and curious travelers.
115,00 thousand years at the Desert of Maine… from glaciers to live camels
The Desert of Maine is a weird and wonderful place. It is far more than just the 25 acres of rolling sand dunes in the middle of a lush forest. It has rich history going back to the 1800s, and it has been an iconic tourist destination in Maine for nearly 100 years. It’s fun, educational, beautiful—
well-suited for families with kids, history buffs, nature lovers, science nerds, and curious travelers.
Rules & etiquette
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The Desert and all of its features are here for you to enjoy, so please do so respectfully. Do not remove or damage parts of exhibits or the natural landscape.
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The Desert of Maine is a tobacco- and drug-free property, including the campground — no smoking or vaping please.
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Well-behaved dogs on a leash are welcome on the dunes! Obviously, please clean up after them. Other types of pets are not permitted.
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Only ADA-designated service dogs are allowed on the mini golf course.
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Young children must be supervised at all times.
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Please make sure you leave the premises by our posted closing time.
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Firearms are not permitted on the property.
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Visitors are expected to follow directions from Desert of Maine staff
Accessibility
At the Desert of Maine, we believe the beauty of our natural landscape and the depth of our history should be accessible to everyone. Visit the Welcome Center, ride the train, explore the Tuttle Farmhouse, Shady Grove Filling Station, and enjoy most holes in our signature Mini Golf course—all designed for accessibility.
GEOLOGY
GEOLOGY LAB
A special sandbox equipped with geologists' sifting trays and other tools
GLACIER PARK
Climb our glacier wall, explore the glacier cave, fly down a glacier slide and discover the role glaciers played in transforming the Maine landscape
65 FT. DUNE
The Desert's highest dune, which is at least 65 ft. from its base
FOSSIL DIG
Uncover fossils, animals and minerals from throughout history
ECOLOGY
BURIED TREES
These oak trees slowly became buried in the dunes, but continue to thrive
RECOVERY ZONE
A fascinating area where reforestation is playing out before our eyes
VERNAL POOL
A seasonal water habitat present primarily during the spring months that provides space for the safe development of numerous species
HISTORY
SPRING HOUSE
A gazebo built in the 1930s atop a natural spring and buried in sand from WWII until we excavated it in 2020
STORY WALK
Explore a nature trail as you read our own children's book, sign-by-sign
1800s FARMHOUSE
A fully restored early 1800s farmhouse museum
SHADY GROVE FILLING STATION
Our classic roadside filling station full of automobile ephemera from the early 20th century, including vintage signage and a 1924 Ford Model T
DESERT OF MAINE HISTORY
Learn how the Desert of Maine has attracted visitors since 1926
CREATIVITY
GEMSTONE VILLAGE
A labyrinth complete with a hobbit house, floating bridge, & other surprises.
SAND ART
Create sand designs & patterns in small bottles using Desert sand
Plan your visit
EXPLORE THE
POSSIBILITIES
What could a day at the Desert of Maine look like? Whether you're interested in spending a day exploring Maine history and ecology, playing on the dunes, or you want to enjoy a round of mini golf, there are a lot of ways to fill your day with fun, discovery, and magic!
HOURS
General Admission
(Dunes & Exhibits)
MON:
TUE:
WED:
THU:
FRI:
SAT:
SUN:
9AM – 6PM
9AM – 6PM
9AM – 6PM
9AM – 6PM
9AM – 6PM
9AM – 6PM
9AM – 6PM
Mini Golf & Oasis
Snack Bar
MON:
TUE:
WED:
THU:
FRI:
SAT:
SUN:
9AM – 7PM
9AM – 7PM
9AM – 7PM
9AM – 7PM
9AM – 9PM
9AM – 9PM
9AM – 7PM
GEOLOGY
1
GEOLOGY LAB
A special sandbox equipped with geologists' sifting trays and other tools
2
GLACIER PARK
Climb our glacier wall, explore the glacier cave, fly down a glacier slide and discover the role glaciers played in transforming the Maine landscape
3
65 FT. DUNE
The Desert's highest dune, which is at least 65 ft. from its base
4
FOSSIL DIG
Uncover fossils, animals and minerals from throughout history
ECOLOGY
5
BURIED TREES
These oak trees slowly became buried in the dunes, but continue to thrive
6
A fascinating area where reforestation is playing out before our eyes
7
VERNAL POOL
A seasonal water habitat present primarily during the spring months that provides space for the safe development of numerous species
HISTORY
8
SPRING HOUSE
A gazebo built in the 1930s atop a natural spring and buried in sand from WWII until we excavated it in 2020
9
STORY WALK
Explore a nature trail as you read our own children's book, sign-by-sign
10
1800s FARMHOUSE
A fully restored early 1800s farmhouse museum
11
SHADY GROVE FILLING STATION
Our classic roadside filling station full of automobile ephemera from the early 20th century, including vintage signage and a 1924 Ford Model T
12
DESERT OF MAINE HISTORY
Learn how the Desert of Maine has attracted visitors since 1926
CREATIVITY
13
GEMSTONE VILLAGE
A labyrinth complete with a hobbit house, floating bridge, & other surprises.
14
SAND ART
Create sand designs & patterns in small bottles using Desert sand
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Information
RULES, ACCESSIBILITY & QUESTIONS
RULES, SAFETY & ETIQUETTE
1
The Desert and all of its features are here for you to enjoy, so please do so respectfully. Do not remove or damage parts of exhibits or the natural landscape.
2
The Desert of Maine is a tobacco-and-drug-free property, including the campground — no smoking or vaping please.
3
Well-behaved dogs on a leash are welcome on the dunes! Obviously, please clean up after them. Other types of pets are not permitted.
4
Only ADA-designated service dogs are allowed on the mini golf course.
5
Young children must be supervised at all times.
6
Please make sure you leave the premises by our posted closing time.
7
Firearms are not permitted on the property.
8
Visitors are expected to follow directions from Desert of Maine staff
9
Additional, adorable information from our well-intentioned lawyers
ACCESSIBILITY
Our goal is to make the Desert of Maine as accessible as possible for all people. This is a natural landscape and 100-year-old tourist attraction of varied ground coverings, elevations, and new and old buildings, but we aim to create as many opportunities as we can for people to enjoy the Desert, mini golf, the campground, and the various events that take place here. To learn more, click the button below.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
TICKETS
If I bought tickets online, how long are my tickets valid?
All season!
If I bought tickets online and I can no longer visit, what should I do?
Email us at hello@desertofmaine.com
I am interested in buying tickets online, are any of the discounts available for online orders?
Yes, only a couple of our discounts are available digitally, our active duty military discount and senior (65+) discount can be used when buying online tickets. All other discounts are available in person.
If I buy admission to the Desert and decide after that I want to play mini golf, can I still get the $2 off combo price?
Yes, we can still honor the "combo" ticket pricing if you decide to start with just the dunes, or just mini golf, then add the other afterwards on the same day. Please let staff know when you do so.
VISITING THE DUNES
How long do people spend exploring the Desert?
It really depends on your pace, interests, the weather, and many other variables. We have a 1-mile loop that can lead you to many of the major sights while giving you an overview of the history, geology and ecology of this place. Some people spend an hour here while others spend a few.
What should I bring with me to the Desert?
We recommend comfortable footwear, sun protection, bug spray, and something to drink, especially if it’s hot out.
Are pets allowed to go out into the Desert?
Yes, we allow well-behaved dogs on a leash. Please make sure to clean up after your dogs. Other types of pets are not permitted. Only ADA-designated service dogs are permitted on the mini golf course.
When does the train run?
Our electric train runs approximately 10am-3pm daily during July and August and 10am-3pm on Saturdays and Sundays during May, September, and October. The train schedule is dependent on staff availability, weather (rain and heat), and maintenance.
Does the train cost extra?
No! It is included with general admission tickets.
Is the train a narrated, guided tour?
The train primarily offers an extra mode for visitors to get around portions of the property. It allows a break from walking, and can be a fun way to enhance your experience. In the future we may add more educational opportunities for the train ride.
For those with mobility concerns, or who can't walk the dunes, will the train take them around the whole property?
The train runs on a loop through a portion of the dunes and woods, but due to it's design, it cannot drive the whole property easily, and therefore is not a perfect solution for those who cannot navigate the dunes or the property. To get to the train, visitors must navigate through the Welcome Center, up our boardwalk, and to the bottom of the dunes to get to the first train stop.
Do strollers work in the sand?
All-terrain strollers work best on the dunes. We have a couple that are available to visitors on a first come, first served basis.
Are there changing tables in the restrooms?
Yes. Our Welcome Center has two accessible, all-gender restrooms and both are equipped with changing tables.
Are there picnic tables there where I can sit and eat if I buy food from the snack bar?
Yes! We have a seating area by the playground and snack bar where you can sit and enjoy your ice cream, hot dogs, and drinks.
Am I allowed to bring my own food?
Absolutely!
Can I bring food and drink out into the Desert?
Definitely! Please make sure to bring any trash and empty bottles back with you.
VISITING THE DUNES
How long does it take to play the whole course?
It is an 18 hole course, so depending on your group size, how busy the course is, and your pace, it could take 30-60 minutes.
Does the course ever fill up?
Yes, weekend afternoons, and some weekday afternoons, particularly in July and August, can be especially busy for us, and may result in short wait times for new players to get started.
Are pets allowed on the mini golf course?
We only allow ADA-designated service dogs on the mini golf course.
Is the course accessible?
Mostly. Holes 4-7 require navigating a couple stairs down and a moderate incline up. The rest of the course is accessible and includes curb cuts to allow access to and from each hole. Adjustable putters with ball retrievers are available upon request.
I want to bring a group of people to play mini golf, do I need to make special arrangements?
If you plan to bring a group of less than 30 people, you do not need to coordinate with us in advance. If you plan to bring more than 30 people, please reach out ahead of time. Certain days and times may be more challenging for us to accommodate larger groups. All groups, regardless of size, will need to split up into smaller groups of no more than 5 people per group to play the course.