Most People Don’t Know These 10 Super Tiny Towns in Maine Exist
Maine is a wild and wonderful state; the kind of place where you can go to really escape from it all. The state is home to some truly remote areas and towns where the moose quite possibly outnumber the residents! We were wondering about the tiniest hidden towns in Maine, so we consulted City-Data, our go-to source for census, income, and residential data for places across the country. According to City-Data, these Maine towns all have under 1,000 full-time residents. In terms of trends, the Pine Tree State has seen a slight uptick in residents in the last decade; however, it’s still among the top 10 *least* populated states in the country. All of this is to say, Vacationland remains a largely unexplored American treasure, but the following 10 hidden towns in Maine are a great place to start exploring!
1. Carrabassett Valley, Franklin County: Population 781
Head to Carrabassett Valley if you're looking for fun outdoors. If you have a day, spend it on the six-mile Narrow Gauge Pathway. With more time, check out Maine Huts & Trails, a non-profit organization that manages a system of four backcountry eco-lodges and more than 50 miles of trails in Western Maine. And, of course, come in the winter for some of the best skiing that Maine has to offer at Sugarloaf. Learn more about an amazing B&B in this lovely mountain town in this article.
Rural St. Agatha is just a few miles from the Canadian border. Visitors come for access to 6,000-acre Long Lake and for the myriad recreational activities such as access to snowmobile & ATV trails. St. Agatha is one of the most quintessentially "Maine" towns in the state!
Abbot is one of the "larger" tiny towns on this list, but it feels just as rural as the smallest. If you're in the midst of house-hunting, check it out for estimated median home prices that are below the state average.
You'll find cleverly named Sebec on the end of Sebec Lake; this lake is home to one of the best little beaches in the state! The name is derived from the Indian word Sebecco, which was the lake's original name. It is one of the six townships granted to Bowdoin College by Massachusetts in 1794.
Located just about as far east as possible, Robbinston is separated from Canada by a three-mile river. Early industry focused on shipbuilding, but moved to fishing and farming potatoes when steam-powered ships arrived on the scene. Notably, Robbinston was a last stop for the Underground Railroad where escaping slaves would cross over into Canada and find freedom. Visitors should stop by the John N. Brewer mansion, which is now a bed and breakfast, to see one of the houses that once supported the Underground Railroad. Add it all up, and Robbinston is one of the most delightful hidden towns in Maine.
6. Chebeague Island, Cumberland County: Population 341
Another perfect Maine island! Chebeague is part of the circuit of islands inhabiting Casco Bay. The island's name comes from the Native American word meaning "island of many springs" and one weekend visit will tell you why. There are many underground fresh-water streams all over the island and, in some places, you can actually see the water coming up from the ground. Another fun fact about Chebeague is that the Native American inhabitants did not live here year-round, instead opting for a bit of a snowbird schedule that brought them over for summer fishing. While you're here, be sure to stop by The Slow Bell Cafe, the absolute best eatery on the island!
7. Roque Bluffs, Washington County: Population 303
This tiny town is home to the 274-acre Roque Bluffs State Park overlooking Englishman Bay from Schoppee Point. A visit to Roque Bluffs should include Simpson Pond and the six miles of walking trails found within the park. Roque Bluffs is a place of immense natural beauty, with one of the prettiest beaches in the country, in fact!
The confluence of the Allagash and St. John Rivers are located in the Northern town of Allagash, making it a nice place for some outdoor activities. Wish you could call it home? Come for Moosetowner Day and be dunked in the Allagash River, earning yourself a certificate and Moosetowner hat making you an honorary Moosetowner. If you're into hiking, it doesn't get any better than exploring the Maine wilds of the The Allagash Wilderness Waterway State Park.
While small, Long Island is certainly no secret. Located in Casco Bay, it is one of 15 Maine islands that have year-round communities and was established in 1993 after seceding from the City of Portland. Take Casco Bay Lines for a cozy winter day or, in the summer, head to the beach that the Portland Press Herald refers to as a "hidden gem."
Named for the 2,440-foot peak nearby, Mount Chase's tiny population makes it the smallest on this list. If you were looking for a party, 1880 would have been a good time to live in Mount Chase. The town population peaked in that year with 310 people calling it home. Today, it's one of the tiniest and most remote towns in Maine. It is worth checking out for a visit to Lower and Upper Shin Ponds.
Okay, as always, now it’s your turn! Are you from any of these tiny towns in Maine? Do you know anyone who is? If so, share this so they can chime in and let us know what it’s like to be from a place where a trip to the grocery store is a bit like a town hall meeting!
Learn more about Maine’s littlest and most remote locales here.
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Address: Carrabassett Valley, ME 04947, USA
Address: Saint Agatha, St Agatha, ME, USA
Address: Abbot, ME, USA
Address: Sebec, ME, USA
Address: Robbinston, ME, USA
Address: Chebeague Island, ME 04017, USA
Address: Roque Bluffs, ME 04654, USA
Address: Allagash, ME 04774, USA
Address: Long Island, ME, USA
Address: Mount Chase, Mt Chase, ME 04765, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
Tiny towns in Maine
August 11, 2021
Sarah
What are some tiny island towns in Maine?
Did you know that Maine was home to over 3,000 islands?! This includes the largest actual island (Mount Desert Island) to tiny ledges that can only be considered islands during a very low tide. Maine's islands are one of the state's most unique features, and make for some really fun day trip adventures! Here are eight of our favorite tiny island towns in Maine worth exploring; we guarantee you'll be positively delighted by these little island locales!
What's the largest city in Maine?
While this article focused on Maine's littlest locales, there are some larger cities in Maine, too! Portland is the most populous city in Maine and the seat of Cumberland County. Portland's population was 66,215 as of 2019. For reference, the Greater Portland area is home to over half a million people, making it the 105th largest metropolitan area in the United States.
What are the best small towns to visit in Maine?
We just adore Kennebunk! Of course, the state of Maine is chock-full of charming towns, each offering something unique; but visitors and residents alike agree that it doesn’t get much better than the town of Kennebunkport. If you’re looking for the quintessential New England escape, Kennebunk is positively perfect. With breathtaking coastal views, charming architecture, and friendly residents, this corner of Maine seems tailor-made for a day trip. Here’s more on what you can expect from your visit to Kennebunkport, one of Maine’s most charming historic towns. It's also been ranked as one of the best places to live near the coast!
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Michelle has lived in many places, but counts Maine as one of the best. In addition to the smell of ocean water in the air on rainy days in Portland, she loves puppies, photography, funny people, the Maine Red Claws, traveling, fresh tomatoes, Cambodia and filling out forms. For questions, comments and inquiries please email: mstarin@onlyinyourstate.com.
