Fort McClary

May 20, 2024

Fort McClary State Historic Site, Kittery Point, Maine

Fort McClary has 2 options for the location on Maps. To get the views that I am always after make sure you go to ‘Fort McClary Historic Site’ on the maps app. If you go to ‘Fort McClary State Park’ that is across the street. There is a small picnic area and very small playground at Fort McClary State Park but the views of the ocean are much better!

I am not great at history and I won’t pretend to be (playgrounds and beaches are my thing), but there’s a lot of interesting history here. There’s signs posted throughout Fort McClary explaining different structures, cannons and why there are a lot of granite stones there. My kids really just like climbing on top of the granite rocks and the cannons so I haven’t been able to read much yet!

Parking and Fees

If you go in the off season the gate will most likely be closed. There is parking right in front of the gate and the walk up to the fort is very short and up a hill. You can easily bring a stroller or wagon if you’d like.

If you go during the season, May- September, you can drive right in through the open gate and there’s plenty of parking. There is a fee of $3 for Maine residents and $5 for non-residents when you drive in. Kids 6-11 are $1 and under 6 are free! It just runs on the honor system and just takes cash. There is no gate entrance fee like at Fort Foster. There is a small slot to put cash into when you walk in.

Bring lunch or snacks

There are picnic tables located here and it is a great spot to bring a lunch! We have stopped at Beach Pea in Kittery before trips here. They have a lot of sandwich and salad options to choose from and some grab and go items! It is an easy stop to grab a quick bite before heading over for lunch! We love our cooler backpack, one of my necessities for going out with kids. It makes it so easy walking around somewhere like this to have your food and snacks on your back with waters available for the kids.

The views

When you are here the tent to the left across the water is Pepperrell Cove. The white lighthouse straight ahead is Portsmouth Harbor Lighthouse in New Castle. The long pier out in the distance to the left is Fort Foster. All my favorite places! There’s a sign at the entrance explaining everything you are looking at when you are here and I actually had time to stop and look at it recently. Someone from North Carolina was visiting Maine with her family and she asked me some questions about the area and it was just enough time for me to look at the sign!

Bathrooms

There is an outhouse type bathroom here. Nothing fancy but it is nice to have an option especially if you brought lunch and are driving around for a day trip.