RICHMOND, Maine – Swan Island, in the Kennebec River in Richmond, is open for another great season of camping, hiking, wildlife viewing, educational programs and a variety of special events. Several features are available, including a larger ferry, kayak/canoe rentals from the island campground, new interpretive signage, docks at the campground and a 15 & under kids-only trout fishing pond with free equipment loans. Many different events will be held on and around the Island throughout the season.
Make this the year you discover the remote feel of Swan Island as you explore this scenic 4-mile long island in the Kennebec River – just 20 minutes south of Augusta! Visit for the day, or camp overnight in a 6-person Adirondack shelter. Once on Swan Island, you can rent a kayak or canoe and explore by water, enjoy 10 miles of hiking, or site see from a mountain bike. If relaxing is your thing, then enjoy time by your fire pit, or in an Adirondack chair by the river watching eagles and ospreys.
When you plan your trip, be sure to check their calendar of events at www.maine.gov/swanisland so you don’t miss out. An event that is sure to book fast is a traditional lobster bake; clams, lobster, corn, potato, salad, and desert. Is your mouth watering yet? For $40 you’ll get the traditional clam bake, along with a boat tour of Little Swan Island – which usually has a nesting bald eagle. And this great event will be offered 4 times over the course of the summer!
This year we’ll be offering a 5k and 10k race in partnership with Richmond Days July 28th. They share the same start and finish line but run a different course. Enjoy a scenic run on one Maine’s most beautiful islands.
New this year will be a ‘Learn to Hunt’ workshop series covering all the skills you need to be successful in the field. Many people want to know where their food comes from and have an interest in hunting, but do not have family or friends that hunt. Or perhaps you just need to hone your skills in a specific area. Workshops will cover Scouting and Setting up Deer Stands/Blinds, Deer Tracking and Field Dressing, and Butchering and Cooking.
History: Swan Island, known for its abundant and often quite visible wildlife, is actually an abandoned 18th and 19th century town called Perkins Township, and has long been recognized for its varied and interesting history. The wildlife management area, about 2,000 acres in size, is located in the Kennebec River between the towns of Richmond and Dresden.
Today, the island is managed for a variety of wildlife and enjoyed by many visitors each season. Five of the historic homesteads still stand. The cemetery and agricultural landscape, along with old stone walls and other remnants, stand testament to the islands’ rich history.
Swan Island’s public visitation season runs from May through October. There are ten Adirondack shelters available for overnight use; picnic facilities for day use; modern bathroom facilities at the campground; drinking water; hiking trails; kayak rentals and wildlife viewing.
Reservations:
If you wish to visit the Swan Island Wildlife Management Area, you must make reservations for the ferry and/or campground.
You may access the island, for day use, via personal canoe or kayak without a reservation; admission fees may be deposited in iron rangers. All visitor fees are as follows: 5 and under free! Day use – $ 8.00. For overnight camping – $8 plus $20 per site per night. Please visit our website at www.maine.gov/swanisland for more information and details about the island; or find us on Facebook!
Swan Island, also called the Steve Powell Wildlife Management Area, is owned and maintained by the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife. Operation and maintenance of the campground and public use areas are supported by your visitation fees. The wildlife management work is supported by revenue from the sale of hunting and fishing licenses, and federal monies under the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Program.
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