When you think of Maine, you think of lobsters, beaches, lighthouses, sailboats, mountains and lakes. Trampling through a desert is the last thing that comes to mind. I mean, it’s New England, right?

Photo: daveynin CC by 2.0 via Flickr

Photo: daveynin CC by 2.0 via Flickr

But wait, you haven’t heard of Desert of Maine. Yep, a magnificent 40 acre piece of desert land exists in the backyard of coastal town — Freeport, Maine.

Photo: daveynin - CC by 2.0 via Flickr

Photo: daveynin – CC by 2.0 via Flickr

This strange phenomenon is owed to a glacier that deposited sand in this area about 11,000 years ago. In the 1800s rough farming and soil erosion exposed the ancient glacial sand, which eventually wiped out the entire farm.

Photo: daveynin - CC by 2.0 via Flickr

Photo: daveynin – CC by 2.0 via Flickr

Now a natural curiosity, the Desert of Maine is a popular tourist attraction. It offers a host of fun activities for the entire family – like hiking the nature trails among rolling hills and sand dunes, guided safaris, gem stone hunts, camping and picnic areas.

Photo: jlynne - CC0 via Pixabay

Photo: jlynne – CC0 via Pixabay

So if you’re planning to be in Maine this weekend, head for the rolling sand dunes of Desert of Maine and pretend you’re in the Sahara.