{"ok":true,"data":{"id":2550,"slug":"ferry-beach-scarborough","name":"Ferry Beach","country":"USA","state":"Maine","city":"Scarborough","coords":{"lat":43.5658,"lng":-70.2962},"beachType":null,"tags":["scenic"],"article":{"hero":"Ferry Beach State Park hides between Scarborough's suburban sprawl and Old Orchard's carnival glitter, but the moment you cross the footbridge over the tidal creek, you enter a different Maine entirely. The sand here runs coarse and tiger-striped, packed firm enough for barefoot running at low tide when the water retreats past Stratton Island on the horizon. Behind the dunes, a rare tupelo swamp filters sunlight through gnarled trunks that flush crimson each October.\n\nThe beach curves gently northward, sheltered enough that even when September swells pound Wells and Ogunquit, Ferry Beach offers knee-high rollers perfect for novice bodysurfers. Families colonize the mid-beach zone with popup tents and boogie boards, while couples migrate toward the rock jetty at the southern end where tidepools trap hermit crabs and periwinkles. The bathhouse, built in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps, still smells faintly of cedar and sunscreen.\n\nCome in any season and you'll find someone walking the hard-packed sand: January joggers in fleece, April birders tracking piping plovers, August toddlers wielding plastic shovels. The park's nature trails loop through woods where you might spot white-tailed deer at dusk, then spit you back onto the beach where the lighthouse at Wood Island blinks its evening code across Saco Bay.","teaser":"You'll smell the salt marsh before you see the water at Ferry Beach—sweetgrass and brine mingling under white pine canopy. The shore here doubles in size twice a day, revealing sandbars that warm underfoot while ospreys circle the estuary behind you.","uniqueAngle":"One of southern Maine's few beaches backed by a tupelo swamp ecosystem, creating a dual landscape of dunes and wetland forest.","accessType":"Drive-up with short boardwalk","thingsToDo":[{"icon":"swim","title":"Tidal Exploration","subtitle":"Shallow pools warm by noon"},{"icon":"hike","title":"Nature Trails","subtitle":"Tupelo swamp and pine forest"},{"icon":"camera","title":"Low-Tide Flats","subtitle":"Sandbars stretch toward Stratton Island"},{"icon":"sun","title":"Family Beach Day","subtitle":"Gentle waves, lifeguard in summer"}],"audience":{"surfer":"Ferry Beach isn't a surf destination—the shallow slope and sheltered position in Saco Bay dampen most swells to shin-high ripples. On rare northeast storms, you might catch waist-high closeouts near the jetty, but the sandy bottom and family crowds make it low-priority. Better to wax your board and drive fifteen minutes south to Higgins or Scarborough Beach where the exposure delivers actual shape. Consider Ferry Beach your post-session cooldown: easy paddle, warm summer water, zero localism.","couples":"Arrive an hour before sunset and walk south past the last lifeguard stand to where the jetty meets the sand. The rocks trap tidal warmth, and you can sit with your feet in shallow pools while the sky turns peach over the Scarborough River marsh. For dinner, drive ten minutes to Vinegar Hill Music Theatre in Arundel for outdoor concerts and lobster rolls, or book a corner table at Bayley's Camping Resort's waterfront restaurant where locals propose over steamers. The Atlantic Birches Inn, a mile inland, offers quiet rooms under pine canopy—no ocean view, but you'll hear waves through open windows.","backpacker":"Summer parking runs eight dollars, but walk or bike in free via the Eastern Trail (access from Route 207). No camping allowed in the state park, but Bayley's Camping Resort next door offers tent sites for twenty-five dollars. Fill your water bottle at the bathhouse, pack peanut butter sandwiches from Hannaford in Scarborough, and you've got a five-dollar beach day. The Amtrak Downeaster stops in Old Orchard Beach, four miles south—rent a bike at Wheels & Waves for twelve dollars and pedal the quieter coast road.","local":"Skip July and August weekends entirely; come Tuesday mornings in September when schools resume and the water still holds summer warmth. At low tide, walk the exposed flats north toward Pine Point—most visitors turn back at the park boundary, but you can continue another half-mile on firm sand with the channel gurgling beside you. The tupelo swamp trail floods in spring; wear boots and you'll have the boardwalk to yourself, watching wood ducks nest in February. Winter northeasters reshape the beach overnight—check it the morning after storms for sand dollars and whelk casings.","family":null,"party":null,"diver":null,"explorer":null},"faqs":[{"a":"Ferry Beach is generally excellent for families with children due to its calmer waters and gradual slope. The beach is protected by nearby headlands, creating gentler waves compared to other Maine beaches. Lifeguards are not typically stationed here, so supervise children closely. Water temperatures peak around 60-65°F in late summer. Check local conditions before swimming, as Maine's Atlantic waters are cold year-round. The sandy bottom and shallow areas near shore make it safer for young swimmers than rockier Maine beaches.","q":"Is Ferry Beach safe for swimming with children?"},{"a":"Summer months (July-August) offer the warmest weather and water temperatures, ideal for swimming and beach activities. However, Ferry Beach State Park is open year-round and beautiful in every season. Spring and fall provide quieter visits with pleasant temperatures for hiking the nature trails and beachcombing. Winter offers stark coastal beauty and solitude, though facilities are limited. Weekdays are less crowded than weekends during summer. Arrive early on summer days as parking is limited and fills quickly.","q":"What is the best time to visit Ferry Beach?"},{"a":"Ferry Beach State Park has a parking lot accessed from Route 9 (Bay View Road) in Scarborough, about 10 miles south of Portland. The entrance is clearly marked. Parking requires a day-use fee (typically $6-8 for Maine residents, slightly higher for non-residents). The lot accommodates around 50 vehicles and fills quickly on summer weekends, so arrive before 10am during peak season. No public transportation serves the beach directly, so a car is necessary.","q":"Where do you park at Ferry Beach and how do you get there?"},{"a":"Ferry Beach itself has no food vendors, so bring your own picnic and beverages. The nearby town of Old Orchard Beach (4 miles south) offers numerous restaurants, ice cream shops, and casual dining. Scarborough center has grocery stores and cafes. Lodging options include several beachfront hotels and motels in Old Orchard Beach, plus vacation rentals throughout Scarborough. For a quieter stay, consider Higgins Beach area accommodations. Portland, 15 minutes north, provides extensive dining and hotel options.","q":"Are there restaurants or lodging near Ferry Beach?"},{"a":"Ferry Beach State Park features 1.5 miles of interpretive nature trails winding through rare tupelo trees and diverse ecosystems, including dunes, wetlands, and forests. The Tupelo Trail is particularly notable, as these trees rarely grow this far north. Trails are relatively easy, well-marked, and suitable for families. Educational signs explain the unique ecology. Boardwalks protect sensitive dune vegetation while allowing exploration. The trails connect to the beach, making it easy to combine hiking with beach time during your visit.","q":"What are the nature trails like at Ferry Beach State Park?"}]},"seo":{"title":"Ferry Beach, Scarborough: Maine's Sheltered Family Shoreline","description":"Gentle waves lap against golden sand while children hunt for crabs in tidal pools. This protected Maine cove offers warm shallows and pine-shaded picnic spots families return to year after year.","ogImage":"https://live.staticflickr.com/2831/34146713761_1e4946202f_b.jpg"},"images":[{"id":"519153","url":"https://live.staticflickr.com/5343/30815332315_f8337592bd_b.jpg","thumbnail":"https://live.staticflickr.com/5343/30815332315_f8337592bd.jpg","alt":"Where are you headed America?"},{"id":"519155","url":"https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51649898352_8bf66023b7_b.jpg","thumbnail":"https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51649898352_8bf66023b7.jpg","alt":"Ferry Beach Walkway"},{"id":"519157","url":"https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52330655880_78c23067c6_b.jpg","thumbnail":"https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52330655880_78c23067c6.jpg","alt":"Edmonds 2022 07 02 58"},{"id":"519160","url":"https://live.staticflickr.com/4698/39274753934_98f8bfeff8_b.jpg","thumbnail":"https://live.staticflickr.com/4698/39274753934_98f8bfeff8.jpg","alt":"Sunset Beach Ferry"},{"id":"519163","url":"https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52480314711_480fea0cd2_b.jpg","thumbnail":"https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52480314711_480fea0cd2.jpg","alt":"Cefalu in Sicily"}]}}