Visit Us

Franklin Island NWR is located six miles from the town of Friendship in Muscongus Bay.  Franklin Island is closed to the public during the seabird nesting season, April 1 - August 31, to minimize disturbance to the birds. Commercial tour boats out of Port Clyde and New Harbor, Maine provide views of nesting seabirds, seals and the lighthouse on Franklin Island NWR. Outside of the seabird nesting season, September 1 to March 31 visitors are welcome to explore the island during daylight hours. Landing on the island is at one’s own risk; there are a lot of ledges around the island and it is a difficult place to anchor. The island has patches of raspberry thickets and poison ivy throughout.

Activities

Franklin Island NWR is located six miles from the town of Friendship in Muscongus Bay.  Franklin Island is closed to the public during the seabird nesting season, April 1 - August 31, to minimize disturbance to the birds. Commercial tour boats out of Port Clyde and New Harbor, Maine provide views of nesting seabirds, seals and the lighthouse on Franklin Island NWR. Outside of the seabird nesting season visitors are welcome to explore the island.

Locations

Franklin Island National Wildlife Refuge
C/O Maine Coastal Islands National Wildlife Refuge Complex14 Water StreetMilbridge,ME04658
Maine Coastal Islands National Wildlife Refuge Complex
9 Water StreetRockland,ME04841
Driving Directions

Because the refuge lands and islands are scattered along the whole Maine coast, the refuge has two offices. One is located in Milbridge, Maine, approximately 35 miles east of Ellsworth. The other office is located in Rockland, heading toward Owls Head. Printed materials are available at both offices 24 hours a day.

The mainland divisions are located in Milbridge, Steuben, Corea and Gouldsboro. There are opportunities for bird watching, wildlife photography, and hiking on the Petit Manan Point Division, in Steuben as well as trails in Corea and Gouldsboro.

To reach the Rockland office and Visitor Center:

Follow U.S. Route 1 to the intersection with route 73 in downtown Rockland. Turn south on to route 73 for ¼ mile then turn left onto Water Street. The office is a large white building on your right.

To reach the Milbridge office:

Follow U.S. Route 1 to the center of Milbridge. Turn onto Water Street at the Gulf station. The office is a large white building on your left.

Hours
Rockland Visitor Center and Milbridge Office Hours
Monday - Friday
8:00 am to 4:30 pm