Perry: Coast, Trails and Discoveries

Perry is especially easy to explore via its trails and the coast of Sipp Bay. The coastal preserve combines views of the coastline with opportunities for wildlife watching. There are also two trails with distinct characteristics, kayak launch sites and the Down East Sunrise Trail, which is intended for various types of travel. This means you can choose Perry based on whether you prefer to walk along the shore, explore the bay or include a trail in your trip.

Coastal Views and Trails at Sipp Bay

Sipp Bay is in a northern part of Cobscook Bay, within the Town of Perry. As a coastal preserve, it offers coastal views and opportunities for wildlife watching. Visitors who like to combine different nature experiences during their stay will find trails with access to the shore as well as places to launch kayaks. The protected bay and its trails give Perry a clear coastal character without limiting visitors to just one way of exploring.

There are two routes to choose from for a walk at Sipp Bay. The southern loop is 0.4 miles long; the northern route is 1 mile and more wooded. Both trails offer access to the shore. They differ in length and landscape, so you can choose a shorter loop or opt for the longer, more wooded route.

Kayaking is another option at Sipp Bay: two hand-carry launch sites let you put in your kayak and explore the bay. If you are planning a paddling trip, keep the currents in mind. They can be very strong in the uppermost part of the bay when the tides change. This is an especially important difference between visiting the shore on foot and exploring from the water.

Trails and Getting Around Perry

The Down East Sunrise Trail ends in Perry and is intended for snowmobiles, ATVs, pedestrians, cyclists, cross-country skiers and horseback riders. It is open in summer and winter. If you want to combine Perry with outdoor activity, you can check whether the trail’s designated uses suit your travel plans. The trail extension connects Ayers Junction with Perry and crosses the Pennamaquan River, streams, roads and wetlands. This route is therefore characterized by several different landscape and crossing features.

Two locations are useful for finding your way at the Perry trailheads: the Sipayik Trail is accessible directly from US Route 1. Its trailhead is across from the Perry Town Post Office, north of the intersection of US Route 1 and ME Route 190. The Perry trailhead for the Down East Sunrise Trail is also on US Route 1; the trail ends there, across from the Sipayik Trail. These details can help you distinguish between the two trailheads when you arrive.

Another stop along Route 1 is the 45th Parallel Marker in Perry. It is about 10 miles south of the park and marks the halfway point between the equator and the North Pole. The marker gives a stop along the way a geographic reference: at this point, an imaginary line between the two poles becomes tangible. If you prefer to include several brief discoveries in your trip rather than just one activity, this stop complements the nature and trail experiences with a distinctive geographic reference.

What Can Shape Your Stay in Perry

If the coast is the focus of your trip, you could consider Perry as a possible location for a vacation rental.

Scythe Supply is located at 496 Shore Road in Perry. The business welcomes visitors by appointment; otherwise, it sells exclusively online and through a mail-order catalog. If you plan to visit, be sure to make an appointment.

You can also include other places in your travel plans: Machias, Cherryfield, Dennysville, Robbinston, Beals, Lubec and Milbridge.

For the broader travel overview: Washington County.