For thousands of years, humans have visited the peninsula that juts out into Machias Bay, beginning with the Passamaquoddy, which comes from the word peskotomuhkat, which means “one who spears pollock.” From Native Americans, to early European explorers and settlers, to fishermen and farmers, this land and the water that surrounds it have supported the community. The bay it overlooks was the site for the first naval battle of the American Revolution, and present day modern defenses can be seen towering on the opposite side with the Navy’s radio transmitter antennas. Today Maine Coast Heritage Trust welcomes visitors to Long Point Preserve in Machiasport, to learn about the history of the area while enjoying the natural beauty of Maine.
On the day we visited, we began our exploration of the approximately 2 mile loop trail, by walking down an old gravel road…
…through sunny fields…
…to reach the interpretive panels at Holmes Point. Skirting the Canadian border, we often see signs in English and French while exploring trails in this area of Maine. It was interesting to see the signs here are in English and the Passamaquoddy language.
It is awe inspiring to know that this area has been frequented by humans for thousands of years, as evident by the early petroglyph rock drawings and midden piles of discarded shells and bones studied by archeologists and Tribal leaders. Please be respectful of the ancestral homeland of the Passamaquoddy when exploring Long Point Preserve. If you would like to learn more, contact Maine Coast Heritage Trust, and they will direct you to the Passamaquoddy Tribal Historic Preservation Office.
We continued our hike by heading down to the cobble beach at Cottage Beach Cove. There we found evidence of an old pier from one of the families who called this peninsula home. In fact, the western shore of this peninsula continues to be a private residence, and is not open to the public.
Next we continued along the wooded path to Long Point. The trails are well marked with blue blazes and are easy to follow at this preserve.
There we found scenic vistas that are quintessential Maine.
Overall the paths are easy on the paws, but please be advised some spots are tricky to navigate, and you may even find yourself walking the plank!
Dogs are welcome on leash, and must be cleaned up after on this carry out trail. Please respect the ancestral homeland of the Passamaquoddy, and its extraordinary archeological and cultural resources by staying on the marked trails, and not disturbing or removing any artifacts. Parking is available in two lots on East Side Road. The first is easier to reach and designed for buses. The second is a bit tricker, and not recommended for all vehicles. Look for the signs. No motorized vehicles are allowed on the trails. For more information about Long Point Preserve in Machiasport, please visit Maine Coast Heritage Trust.
