What Makes Freeport, Maine, a Nature Destination?

It's hard not to think of Freeport, Maine, as a retail destination, because that's exactly what it is.

As home to the L.L. Bean merchandise empire and flagship store (much like Orlando is to Disney, it's hard to avoid it) and the downtown full of both local and retail shops that would rival the average American mall/Main Street, Freeport is seen as Maine's shopping capital.

L.L. Bean draws people to Freeport, also known for its natural wonders. (Getty Images)

But beyond the dressing rooms and craft breweries is a coastal wonderland of hiking trails, charming farms and the Maine sea breezes that anyone who dreams of Maine would expect.

Wolfe's Neck Center Combines Farming and Salty Sea Air

Nature enthusiasts will feel right at home in Freeport’s many expansive green spaces. Wolfe's Neck Center (commonly referred to as Wolfe's Neck Farm) has grown significantly over the years, but it has held onto its rural Maine charm and remains a popular destination for the agriculturally curious and campers. Just down the road, Wolfe's Neck Woods State Park offers over 200 acres of salt marshes, rocky shoreline, and wooded trails to explore.

Visitors get up close and personal with Maine agriculture. (Wolfe's Neck Center)

Local families (and those who are stopping by for the day) flock to Winslow Memorial Park and its easily accessible beach facing Casco Bay (with a view of the Casco Castle ruins) and awesome ship-themed playground.

Learn to Fly Fish at Freeport's L.L.Bean Outdoor Discovery Center

If the water beckons you, Freeport also offers many opportunities like kayaking, paddleboarding, archery, and even fly fishing classes at the popular L.L.Bean Outdoor Discovery Programs.

Wolfe's Neck State Park offers hiking and coastal exploring. (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

No mention of Freeport would be complete without a nod to the quirky and iconic Desert of Maine. People "from away" may call it a "roadside attraction," but locals are quick to ask, "Have you been lately?"

Desert of Maine

Once a curious oddity (it's not truly a desert, but you wouldn't know by looking at it), it's now a full-fledged outdoor destination featuring a masterfully themed mini golf and a variety of modern overnight accommodations—everything from cozy micro-cabins and sleek A-frames to brand-new geodesic domes added this year.