Grindstone Point in Winter Harbor, Maine

Grindstone Point - Winter Harbor

Grindstone Point is at the southern tip of Grindstone Neck in Winter Harbor, Maine. Follow Grindstone Avenue to arrive at this viewing spot. It provides spectacular views of several islands including the mountains of Mount Desert Island. The Winter Harbor Light on Mark Island is directly to the south. Acadia National Park at Schoodic Peninsula is to the southeast.

Originally part of the town of Gouldsboro, the fishing village of Winter Harbor separated and became incorporated in 1895. The year 2020 census shows the population at 461, a considerable drop from the year 2000 census which placed its year-round population at 988. The cause is largely due to a naval base closure that took place in 2002.

Grindstone Point GPS: 44.371892, -68.088601

How to Get There

If you are coming from Ellsworth (a drive of about 40 miles), take US Coastal Route One Down East. Pass through Sullivan. Watch for Route 186 on the right. Take this to Winter Harbor. At stop sign, take a right and continue to Grindstone Avenue on the left. Take this and go all the way to the end. There is a very small turn-around where you can park beside the road. There is an open view right here where you can sit, or walk around on the rocky shore. On the right, or West, are spectacular views of Bar Harbor and Cadillac Mountain on Mount Desert Island. The actual furthest southern point is reached by walking off to the left or Southeast. Look for a path.

If your journey began from east of the Schoodic area, drive on US Route One until it reaches Route 186 in Gouldsboro. Take a left and continue through Prospect Harbor and Birch Harbor until reaching Winter Harbor. Continue through until picking up Grindstone Avenue on the left. (Note: There are two different points where Route 186 intersects with Route One since Route 186 loops down through the peninsula and returns at another spot.)

Location map of Grindstone Point in Winter Harbor, Maine
Grindstone Point in Winter Harbor, Maineville, Maine
Grindstone Point with Mount Desert Island in the distance
Hiking Trail Rock Cairns at Grindstone Point
Southern View from Grindstone Point
Ingneous Extrusion at Grindstone Point
Grindstone Point with Cadillac Mountain in the distance

Resources

  • Gouldsboro Town Office: (207) 963-5589
    Town Manager, 59 Main St., Prospect Harbor, ME 04669
  • Gouldsboro Historical Society: Website
  • Fire Department: (207) 963-5589
  • Police Department: Day Phone: (207) 963-5589; Night: (207) 667-7575; Emergencies: Dial 911
  • Ferry Service to Bar Harbor: (207) 288-2984 (seasonal)

Like A Peephole Into Another World

Greg A. Hartford, photographer, author, publisherAs we turn onto Grindstone Avenue and drive toward Grindstone Point, we pass through a golf course then proceed down a road where the distinct impression soon becomes that there are many beautiful shoreside properties hidden behind the trees on either side of the road. It is like walking along a very long corridor where there are sumptuous buffets on either side that we can smell but only imagine. It reminds me of a dream I had as a young boy where I was about to taste a slice of a fantastic chocolate cake. I awoke, just as my hand was up to my mouth, holding the cake which disappeared just as I opened my eyes. As much as I tried, I could not get back asleep long enough to taste that cake. In the instance of driving south on Grindstone Avenue, one is at least able to feast one’s eyes on the buffet and be so close as to smell and feel it.

Acadia and Bar Harbor Resource Guide