Sipp Bay is a coastal preserve in a northern part of Cobscook Bay in the Town of Perry. The area offers coastal views and opportunities to observe wildlife. Two trails provide access to the shore: a short southern loop and a longer, more heavily wooded northern route. This gives visitors two distinct trail options within the preserve.
Trails and Kayaking at Sipp Bay
The southern loop is 0.4 miles long; the northern route is 1 mile long. Both provide access to the shore. The difference is therefore in trail length and the more heavily wooded character of the northern route. If you’re looking for a shorter loop, choose the southern option; the longer route offers a different trail choice, with the same access to the shore. The distances help you gauge the scope of the two options.
You can also explore the bay by kayak: there are two places where boats can be launched by hand. Very strong currents can occur in the uppermost part of the bay during changes in the tide. If you’re planning a kayaking trip, this specific note is important for understanding the conditions.
Multi-Use Trail and Directions Along Route 1
Another way to experience Perry is the Down East Sunrise Trail. It ends in Perry and is intended for snowmobiles, ATVs, pedestrians, cyclists, cross-country skiers and horseback riders. The trail is open in summer and winter. This multi-use trail, with its broad range of intended users, offers a contrast to the shorter, shoreline-focused trails at Sipp Bay.
The extension of the Down East Sunrise Trail connects Ayers Junction with Perry. It crosses the Pennamaquan River, streams, roads and wetlands. At the Perry trailhead on US Route 1, the Down East Sunrise Trail ends opposite the Sipayik Trail. The Sipayik Trail is directly accessible from US Route 1; its trailhead is opposite the Perry Town Post Office, north of the intersection of US Route 1 and ME Route 190. These reference points help distinguish the two trailheads along Route 1.
A Geographic Stop Along Route 1
The 45th Parallel Marker is a stop along Route 1 in Perry. It marks the halfway point between the Equator and the North Pole and is about 10 miles south of the park. This offers a different focus from the trails and kayaking opportunities: here, the geographic significance of the marked point takes center stage. Its approximate location south of the park also helps orient visitors along Route 1.
Discover more destinations: Robbinston, Machias, Dennysville, Milbridge, Cherryfield, Lubec, Beals.
Return to the main travel guide: Washington County.
