Swan Island Preserve -
Steve Powell Wildlife Management Area

Richmond Maine

Maine Atlas and Gazetteer

Map 12 E5 (Boat Landing)

Map 6 A5

To Get There:

Take I-95 to exit 26 (Richmond) and follow Route 197 to Richmond center. The boat landing is located in Richmond, on Rt 24.

Contact:

Maine Department of Fisheries & Wildlife

Wildlife Division

284 State Street, 41 SHS

Augusta, ME 04333-0041

http://janus.state.me.us/ifw/index.htm

 

Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife

P.O. Box 221 - Swan Island

Richmond, ME 04357

http://janus.state.me.us/ifw/education/swanisl.htm

Reservations: (207) 547-5322

General Information: (207) 287-8000

 

Description

Swan (shortened from "swango", meaning "island of eagles" in the local Indian language) Island, Little Swan Island and the surrounding tidal flats comprise the Steve Powell Wildlife Management Area.

 

Located in the Kennebec River, at the head of Merrymeeting Bay, the preserve totals about 1,755 acres. Access is only by boat. The Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife provides transportation to and from Swan Island for visitors. Visitor's are picked up at the town landing in Richmond. Arrangements for pick-up times must be made in advance.

 

A great booklet is available from the Department, "A History and Self-Guiding Tour of Steve Powell Wildlife Management Area". It contains a history of the island, a map of the island (see "Historic Sites Map" to the right) and a description of the points of interest located on the map. Another map, called Self Guided Tour and also in the booklet, shows the paths and trails on the island. The Numbers are more or less in order from the landing to the end of the island and back, and make for a good walking itinerary.

 

The park attendants can also give a guided tour along the dirt road on the island. Visitors ride in the back of an open, fenced truck and the attendants stop from time to time to describe the more interesting features and history of the island. They also stop for photo ops of the deer and wild turkeys.

 

The guys who were taking care of the island when we went were very nice and helpful. We saw lots of deer and turkeys, as well as bobolinks and swallows and meadowlarks. The Bald Eagles had to be the best though. They have a huge nest on the island and we could see them flying over all day.

 

Fees and Hours of Operation

The Island is open from May 1st through Labor Day. After that, the island is only open for a limited number of days.

 

The rules for applying for a reservation are strict and more complicated than they need to be, consult the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife website for Swan Island for application details and fees.