Jasper Beach - Machiasport, Maine

Address:Machiasport, Maine

Like the artful dots of a Monet masterpiece, the multicolored pebbles of Jasper Beach paint an exquisite and rare coastline. Reds, browns, purples, yellows and greens speckle the shoreline of this secluded beach surrounded by pine. For many, a meditative walk along this coast listening to the gentle crunch of stone-on-stone is what makes Jasper Beach most attractive. For others, Jasper Beach is an ideal place to watch the serene, blue-green surf and spot eagles swirling and swooping against an azure sky. Flat, oblong or round, Jasper's cobble is a fine-grained volcanic rock, polished smooth and shiny by the ebbing tide. If you are looking for a beach that is pristine and unique, Jasper Beach is a rock-solid choice!

Located beyond Buck's Harbor, just west of Machias Bay, ME, Jasper Beach begins with a bluff of glacial rock and ends in a small, saltwater inlet. Just one of several jasper beaches in the world, Jasper Beach was dubbed the Best Wilderness Beach in the Northeast, by Dr. Beach (Stephen P. Leatherman) featured on the Today Show. Local Maine fishermen keep the jasper stones in their pockets as "feelin' stones," soothing treasures to hold and rub throughout the day. Like the locals, children and adults alike will enjoy combing this shore to pocket the beautiful and unusual jasper gems.

Travelers should beware that Jasper Beach is occasionally (and often suddenly) shrouded in fog and temperatures can drop unexpectedly. Mosquitoes are often fierce after dark in the summer months, so it is best to wear protective clothing and closed shoes. Parking is available, but limited.