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Freeport, Maine: Desert of Maine

RoadsideAmerica.com Team Field Report

Address:
95 Desert Rd, Freeport, ME
Directions:
I-295 exit 20. Turn west onto Desert Rd, and drive two miles to its end.
Hours:
Daily 9-6 mid-May - Halloween. (Call to verify) Local health policies may affect hours and access.
Phone:
207-850-3025
Admission:
Adults $16, Kids $12 self-guided walking tour
RA Rates:
Major Fun
Save to My Sights

Desert of Maine.

Desert of Maine

A former farm and now a desert, with real rolling dunes that have swallowed buildings and trees.

Roadsideamerica.com Report... [08/02/2020]

Visitor Tips and News About Desert of Maine

Reports and tips from RoadsideAmerica.com visitors and Roadside America mobile tipsters. Some tips may not be verified. Submit your own tip.

Desert of Maine

While this stop would be fabulous with young kids, as a family of 4 with teens it was a waste of money. Admission is very high ($16) for the length of our visit (about 30 minutes) and most of the activities (a kiddy train, fossil and gemstone digs, playground) are aimed at young children. Mini golf is on site -- but for an additional ($12!) cost. It's a great photo op and fascinating story -- and would have been well worth a stop if admission had been cheaper.

[Jennifer Kefer, 08/26/2023]

We noticed some price jumps this summer at attractions -- of about 25%. Perhaps an inflation adjustment.

Desert of Maine

Totally refurbished in 2021. New playground and labyrinth. Fossil dig and mini golf coming this fall.

[S.O., 06/16/2021]

Playground moose.

Desert of Maine

Even the person who joined me, and who isn't as into roadside attractions, thought this was a lot of fun. The gift shop is renovated with some quirky gifts, plus postcards and all manner of Maine stuff. Ask about some of the memorabilia they have, such as the antique "SandCraft" sand art kit. Check out the barn, too.

There's also a new (and honestly pretty fun) playground made from a gargantuan old tree that was removed. They were literally building the rest of it while we were there. If you want somewhere to let the kids swing around and burn off some energy, it's a good place to stop.

Plus, the sand... is still there!

[David, 08/17/2020]

Desert of Maine camel.

Desert of Maine

This place remains a geological oddity and it is beautiful. Mela and Doug Heestand, the owners as of 2018, are creating a fun and educational place to visit. With an emphasis on the local market, they are promoting concerts and other events in the historic barn, updating the walking tours, created a new campground, and have built a unique playground. And they have painted the (now) very colorful fiberglass camel.

[Tim O'Brien, 02/11/2020]

Nearby Offbeat Places

The Big F IndianThe Big F Indian, Freeport, ME - 3 mi.
Giant L.L. Bean BootGiant L.L. Bean Boot, Freeport, ME - 3 mi.
Eartha: World's Largest Rotating GlobeEartha: World's Largest Rotating Globe, Yarmouth, ME - 4 mi.
In the region:
Big Farmyard Rooster, Monmouth, ME - 26 mi.

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