Popham Beach State Park

March 15, 2024

Popham Beach State Park, Phippsburg, Maine

We love Popham! We have been a few times and every time we have been it has looked different. The beach erosion has been devastating over the years and I’m sure the extremely high tides we had in early 2024 did more damage. According to the town website, linked below, it is imperative you stay off the dune area to allow for regrowth.

Parking and fees

There is a large parking lot. Most of our trips to Popham Beach were in the off season so it was not busy, but one beach trip was in the summer. I do remember it being busy, but we were still able to enter and find parking. I’m sure on nice hot days the parking lot fills up, and there is no street parking if it is full. The fee to enter for adult Maine residents is $6, non-residents is $8, kids 5-11 are $1 and kids under 5 are free. During the summer there is an attendant at the booth when you enter but in the off season there is a self- service pay station.

Bathrooms

Right by the entrance to the beach and the parking lot is a bathroom with showers and a changing area.

Lifeguards

Popham Beach has lifeguards on duty from mid June to mid August. The rip currents here can be dangerous! Popham is also really cool because there’s a huge sand bar at low tide you can walk out to. You have to be careful though because the tides shift fast and you don’t want to be stranded.

Dogs allowed in the off season

We brought out dog in the off season, on leash, and she loved it! We went on a rainy day in October and there was hardly anyone there. There wasn’t anyone there because everyone else was smart and stayed home for the wind and rain! We could hardly walk because of the wind but we were all laughing.

Camping in Phippsburg

Two of the times we visited Popham Beach we were camping nearby. Once we were camping at Hermit Island campground and another time we went camping at a Hipcamp site near by. I haven’t written a post on our Hipcamp site yet but I will link Hermit Island below! It’s so affordable for a vacation in this area and I need that so I can vacation in places I love!