Covering more than 3,000 acres, Scarborough Marsh is the largest contiguous salt marsh system in Maine. Salt marshes filter pollution from the water and provide food and shelter for numerous species of birds, fish, mammals, and shellfish. The salt marsh is currently owned and managed by the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (MDIFW).

Rare Animals
Saltmarsh Sharp-tailed Sparrow
Common Moorhen
Harlequin Duck
Least Bittern Arctic Tern
New England Cottontail

Rare Plants
Saltmarsh False-foxglove
Smooth Winterberry Holly
Beach Plum
Dwarf Glasswort

Essential Wildlife Habitats
Piping Plover/Least Tern
Roseate Tern

Rare and Exemplary
Natural Communities
Coastal Dune-marsh Ecosystem Dune Grassland
Pitch Pine Bog
Pitch Pine Dune Woodland Salt-hay Saltmarsh

Visiting during COVID-19 – Click Here

Scarborough Marsh Audubon Center

The Scarborough Marsh is a great place to explore the state’s largest salt marsh by foot or canoe. The Scarborough Marsh Audubon Center provides a variety of guided and self-guided walks, and canoe tours, as well as exhibits, a nature trail, canoe rentals and a Maine Audubon Nature Store. All guided programs are led by trained naturalists.

What can you do at the Scarborough Marsh? 

  • Watch the shorebirds feeding in the marsh
  • Rent a canoe or launch your own
  • Join a canoe tour led by Audubon naturalists
  • Discover the marsh on your own through natural history displays and a self-guided nature trail
  • Go to one of many natural history programs for all ages throughout the summer
  • Shop at the Maine Audubon Nature Store for books, toys, Maine-made gifts and bird-feeding and optic equipment
  • Try out our hands-on activities and displays for all ages
  • See the aquarium, mounted birds and mammals, and, interactive exhibits featured at the center

(For more information go to: Scarborough Marsh Audubon Center

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Check out the beautiful Scarborough Marsh images taken by local photographers and residents. Send us your images of the marsh and we will do our best to include them in the Scarborough Marsh portfolio for a credit.

Events & Programs at the Marsh

Click here to see all the events organized by the Audubon Center

92 Pine Point Rd.
Scarborough, ME 04074
May–September: 207.883.5100
October–April: 207.781.2330
smac@maineaudubon.org

Kayak or Canoe Rentals

Take a self-guided tour of the meandering Dunstan River to explore the unique habitat of the salt marsh.
Rental Hours: 9am -4pm and the last boat has to be back by 5:00pm. For same day rentals, please call 207.883.5100.
Cost: Friday–Wednesday $20/hour; $28/1.5 hours; $35/2 hours ($45 maximum); Maine Residents Discount Thursday – Cost: $16/hour; $23/1.5 hours; $30/2 hours ($45 maximum)
Requirements: At least one person in your group must be 18 years or older; children must be at least 4 years old. Dogs are not permitted in the canoes.

Scarborough Marsh Trails & Tours

Scarborough Marsh Trail Guide

Scarborough Marsh Scavenger Hunt Guide

Guided Canoe Tours: Discover wildlife and plants along the saltwater river habitat in your own canoe. A Maine Audubon naturalist will lead the tour.
Wednesday through Sunday, 10–11:30 am, $13/adult, $11/child

Full Moon Canoe Tours: Experience the sights and sounds of the marsh creatures under the full moon.
August 1, 2, 3 7:30 pm
September 1, 2 7 pm
Members $14, Nonmembers $16

Sunset Canoe Tours: See the reflection of the setting sun on the calm waters of the Dunstan River, observe the herons and shorebirds flying back to their roosts, and enjoy the sounds of the evening marsh.
July 19, August 18, 19, 6 pm
Members $14, Nonmembers $16

Reservations are required for all canoe tours. Please call 207.883.5100 to reserve your spot.