Desert of Maine

Well, not exactly. The sand at the Desert is a large glacial depository created over 10,000 years ago during the last ice age. The sand was covered by a forest until the 1800s when the Tuttle family started farming the land and caused the soil to erode, exposing the dunes underneath. The land sat abandoned until 1926, when it became one of Maine’s earliest roadside attractions, drawing people from all over the world. Today, nearly 100 years later, it is still one of Maine’s most beloved and iconic destinations, a place where visitors can explore, play, and learn about the history, geology, and ecology of this unique landscape. NOTE: The Desert came under new ownership in 2019 and has been undergoing a comprehensive renovation ever since. There are new exhibits like Gemstone Village, Fossil Dig, the Buried Springhouse, a new mini golf course, a self-guided tour with over 30 new interpretive signs, and an authentic 1800s farmhouse museum among others! Visitors can enjoy scoop ice cream, kettle corn, and grilled kielbasa from the new Oasis snack bar. There is also a luxury campground on-site with campsites for tents, small RVs, and new A-Frame cabins!