Summer 22

spactacle

The northern end of Spectacle is owned by the Boothbay Region Land Trust (BRLT) and the southern end is owned by the Midcoast Conservancy. Both organizations graciously allow access for low-impact day and overnight use, and each islet offers good landing and an excellent sheltered campsite. Fires are allowed in established rings, but due to thin soils and the fragile island ecosystem, please only burn driftwood found along the shorelines.

The best landing on the northern island is at an inviting beach on the eastern side where there is good anchoring just off shore. The campsite is just south of this beach. BRLT requests that overnight visitors refrain from camping on the northern half of this island. Landing at the southern island is also best approached from the east. Campers can follow a path that extends down the island to several cozy clearings suitable for small tents.

Spectacle is well situated for those who wish to explore the sheltered waters of the Sheepscot River where wildlife abounds, or head through the Townsend Gut into Boothbay Harbor. The island is locally popular with picnickers and campers alike, so those wishing to camp during peak summer weekends are advised to plan accordingly. Due to its popularity, please respect others and limit the length of your stay.

For a BRLT trail map and more information, click here.

little ram

Little Ram is a smaller, more densely wooded version of its big sister Ram Island. While it sees much less use by the local community, it is open to visitors as a quiet place for a picnic or overnight stay. The best landing at higher tides is in the small cove on the northwest side of the island. A faint path leads steeply up into the interior. An all tide landing can be found at the south point just steps away from a delightful, secluded campsite. From the campsite, a cross-island trail takes you to the northern tip of the island where excellent mid-tide seal viewing ledges are visible.

Ram

Ram is a charming wooded island situated northwest of Isle of Springs on the Sheepscot River. Ram is used frequently by outfitters, camp groups, and members of the local community. There is a small sand bar on the northeast side that provides a protected spot to land either from the north or south. There are resident osprey at both ends of the island and excellent mid-tide seal viewing on ledges just to the north.

A spacious, well-established camping area with a fire ring and picnic tables can be found on the north side of the island. There is a guest mooring available off the north point of the island; a 50 lb mushroom with a depth of roughly 6 feet at low tide. There is good anchoring in this area as well.

Please do not use the private wharf on Sawyer Island (immediately east of Ram) for access; there is a public landing at the Knickercane Bridge on the Barters Island Road in Boothbay. Please respect local clam diggers who need to park here with trailers.