Sherwood Forest Campsite and Cabins
Tucked under a forest canopy of northern pines, the Sherwood Forest Campground offers a full service camping experience from tents up to 40' RVs. Spacious, wooded sites have easy access to the below Pemaquid Beach Park - only a short 800-ft stroll away. A game room entertained the kids in the evening hours. All and all - a clean, quiet campground.
- Campground Amenities: hot showers; laundry; camp store; 20-, 30-, 50-amp campsites; game room; free wifi
- Cabin Rental Available: fully-equipped with range, oven, refrigerator, dishes (supply your own towels)
Pemaquid Beach Park
If you are looking for a break from the rocky shore, the family friendly Pemaquid Beach Park is the perfect spot - a quarter mile of lovely, soft white sand in what is known as a pocket beach, or a protected cove of sand. Everything to make your beach experience delightfully memorable - umbrella and chair rentals, daily beach grooming, showers, and snack shack. Plus, Pemaquid Beach Park is consistently ranked one of Maine's cleanest beaches.
Pemaquid Beach Park Things to Know:
- Season: June - early September, 8 to 4:30pm
- Fees: $4/ adults and children 12 & up; free children 11 and under
- Amenities: Free parking, Snack Shack, changing rooms, showers, beach rentals, picnic tables
- Watch out for aggressive seagulls
- No dogs allowed on the beach or ball field
Pemaquid Point Lighthouse Park
Less than 10 minutes from the Sherwood Forest Campground, explore all that the Pemaquid Point Lighthouse Park offers. Consider a climb up one of Maine's beloved lighthouses, Pemaquid Point Lighthouse, which stands guard at the entrance to Muscongus Bay and Johns Bay. After that excursion, learn about local maritime history at the adjoining Fishermen's Museum.
In addition to the Pemaquid Point Lighthouse and the Fishermen's Museum, stop in the Learning Center which shows a continuous loop video of Maine lighthouses, tour the art gallery, and enjoy the rugged shoreline and glorious ocean vistas. If you are looking for an unusual vacation spot, the Keeper's House Apartment is available for nightly or weekly rentals year-round.
Warning: Be careful near the water's edge - rogue waves have caused drownings here.
Pemaquid Point Lighthouse Park Things to Know:
- Entrance Fee: $3/person 12 and older; free 11 and under (cash or check only)
- Seasonal hours: mid-May through mid-October, 9am-5pm
- Public Restrooms
- Leashed dogs allowed.
Pemaquid Point Lighthouse
Looking at the surrounding treacherous rocks, it's no wonder that President John Quincy Adams ordered the Pemaquid Point Lighthouse to be built in 1827. Due to poor construction, it had to be rebuilt only eight years later in 1835. Originally lit by oil, then kerosene, and then electricity, it became automated in 1934.
The popular 38-foot Pemaquid Lighthouse still functions as an active lighthouse, but the Town of Bristol owns and manages the surrounding Pemaquid Point Lighthouse Park. The fourth order Fresnel lens can be seen up to 14 miles away on a clear day.
A highlight for us - climbing the gorgeous spiral staircase for the spectacular coastal view.
Pemaquid Point Lighthouse Things to Know:
- Limited to groups of five for climbing to the top of the lighthouse
- 46-inch height requirement
Pemaquid Point Lighthouse Park Fishermen's Museum
After recovering from the steep lighthouse climb, a visit to The Fishermen's Museum would be the next best stop. In the former light keeper's quarters are a series of rooms dedicated to the marine heritage of the Bristol area. Exhibits include an interactive map highlighting Maine lighthouses, tools and gear used in the lobster industry, different methods of harvesting fish, and models of fishing boats.
TIP: Make sure you find the 28-pound lobster in the glass case - it's a monster!
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