Fort Gorges

Category: Fortress

Address: Portland, ME 04101, USA

Phone: +12073701181

Opening hours

Sunday: 6:30AM–10PM

Monday: 6:30AM–10PM

Tuesday: 6:30AM–10PM

Wednesday: 6:30AM–10PM

Thursday: 6:30AM–10PM

Friday: 6:30AM–10PM

Saturday: 6:30AM–10PM

Reviews

Julian Malcolm

May 21, 2022

A very cool fort. Fort Gorges was built in 1858 on Hogs Island. It is open to the public but if you visit I suggest not going into the officers quarters which are mostly wood and falling away. It is very dangerous. The Gun Casements though are in okay shape and safe to enter. The spiral staircases for the Gun Casements are the only safe ways to get up to the other levels again for own safety do not go into the officers quarters. No restoration or stabilization work has been completed which is leaving the dilapidated building still falling apart today. Still very cool though.

Matty Thrash

Dec 24, 2021

Pretty cool looking spot, only boat accessible but heard there are tours to this island. Definitely a great spot for photos and multiple lighthouses are in the area to keep the trip moving. Definitely planning to come back and do some more exploration of this area. The spring point lighthouse gives you a pretty close view of the island to get a idea of how massive it is. A lot of history in the area worth checking out so Definitely take your time out there!

Kirsten Hoyt

Jun 22, 2020

Great place to visit and be respectful. Vandals have taken a toll. I'm handicapped and this not the place to be if you have mobility issues. Bring a flashlight and good shoes. Secure your boat well and be mindful of the rapidly changing tides. Watched a small sailboat end up on the rocks the collide with the fort itself.

James S

Aug 21, 2019

We kayaked out to Fort Gorges on a beautiful day and had a picnic and explored. We left from Eastern Promenade and it took about 20 minutes to paddle out to the fort. I know many people see this beautiful fort in Casco Bay and wonder what's on the inside. Don't be afraid to hop in kayak on a nice day and see it for yourself. Bring a flashlight and some comfortable shoes. The Fort is maintained but there are some obstacles which will need to be avoided.

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Questions & Answers

Can you get their by a canoe

Katie Vogel | Aug 17, 2021
Drone Guy NH | Aug 17, 2021

Yes. I'm not sure where to land, but there is access and it's about 1500 meters from shore. Not sure about Covid closings.

Are there any public or private boats to take you out to the fort

Fred Houde | Aug 18, 2019
Zack Anchors | Aug 18, 2019

There's a kayak tour headed to the fort every morning in the summer offered by Portland Paddle (which I operate). It's generally best to go there with a guide if you are kayaking. We offer rentals too, but we require certain skills of anyone paddling to the fort without a guide. Info here: https://portlandpaddle.net/tours#fortgorges Friends of Fort Gorges also can arrange tours by motorboat with advance notice.

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How long does it take to paddle boat over to the fort?

Victor Rolling Jr | Aug 18, 2019
Freedomslave1776 (ChrisCryptoforFreedom) | Aug 18, 2019

Depends. If you go straight accross from the portland promenade then it would probably take 30 to 40 min and that is a better route to take to avoid the swells coming into the harbour. If you go on nice clear day and make sure the water is fairly calm as well you could launch from Bug Light Park in So.Portland and I think it would be more like a 20 min paddle. Definatly a place everyone should visit if they get the chance.. There is a water Taxi out of portland too but not sure if they drop off at the fort..

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How much do the paddle boys charge to get across, and if they arent there is there another way to get across to the fort?

Victor Rolling Jr | Aug 18, 2019
Guy Mendenhall | Aug 17, 2021

Is there a time lace to tie up and disembark from a personal craft?

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How old is fort gorges?

Tejashree Abhishek | Aug 18, 2019
Michael Jarossy | Aug 18, 2019

It was completed in 1864.

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