BIKE & PADDLE
YORK, MAINE
Wed–Fri 9–5 · Sat 9–3
207-363-4070
Your outdoor adventure guide from the locals at Bike & Paddle.
York, Maine doesn't get nearly enough credit as an outdoor destination. Most visitors come for the beach — and the beaches are great — but there's a whole other layer to York that you'll miss if you don't get away from Route 1. We're talking hidden rivers, mountain trails, protected salt marshes, and some of the best coastal cycling in New England.
We're Bike & Paddle, York's outdoor shop at 241 York Street. We sell and rent bikes, kayaks, and paddleboards — and we've been riding and paddling these waters for years. Here's our honest guide to the best outdoor things to do in York, Maine.
The York Beach Loop — from town down to Long Sands Beach, through Short Sands, and back — is one of the great easy coastal rides in Maine. It's about 8 miles, mostly flat, and you'll pass lobster shacks, beach crowds, and ocean views the whole way. Bikes are available at our shop on York Street for $25/half day or $40/full day. Trek models, helmets included.
The York River is one of those places that surprises people. It winds through salt marshes and tidal flats that feel genuinely wild — osprey nests, herons standing in the shallows, seal sightings at the right time of year. The upper river is calm and protected, making it ideal for beginners. We rent kayaks starting at $30 for 2 hours. Go at high tide for the best access.
York's own mountain sits about 15 minutes from the center of town and most visitors never go. That means quiet trails. The summit gives you a 360-degree view of the White Mountains to the west and the Atlantic to the east — a genuinely stunning panorama. There's beginner-to-intermediate mountain biking on the network of singletrack, or you can hike the paved summit road and several marked foot trails. Free to access, limited parking on weekends, go early.
York Harbor is one of the calmest and most scenic places to try paddleboarding on the Maine coast. The protected inner harbor is ideal for first-timers — flat water, no boat traffic to worry about, and a classic New England harbor scene all around you. We rent paddleboards starting at $30 for 2 hours. If you've never tried it, York Harbor is the place to start.
Ogunquit's Marginal Way is a 1.25-mile paved path along the rocky Atlantic coast — one of the most spectacular short walks in New England. It's only 10 miles north of York, easy to combine with a bike ride up Route 1A (about 10 miles each way) or a quick drive. The path is free, public, and the kind of thing you want to do at sunrise when it's quiet.
A full-day bike adventure: head south from our shop through York on quiet residential roads into Kittery — Maine's oldest city, and home to a surprisingly good waterfront restaurant scene and the famous outlet strip. The route passes through beautiful salt marsh scenery along the Piscataqua River estuary. Take a full-day rental ($40), leave by 9AM, and you'll have time for a long lunch before the ride back.
One of the best-kept paddling secrets in southern Maine. Brave Boat Harbor is a protected tidal estuary just south of York — part of the Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge — with miles of salt marsh channels to explore. Absolutely no development, tons of wildlife, and complete quiet. Check tide charts before you go; the channels are best at or near high tide. Bring a map — it's easy to get happily lost.
You came to Maine — you have to swim. Long Sands is York's biggest and best beach: a long, wide strip of sand with consistent surf and a classic New England beach town atmosphere. The water is cold (even in August, you're looking at 65–68°F), but that's part of the Maine experience. Park on Atlantic Avenue and walk to any open stretch. Worth getting there before 10AM for a spot close to the water in July and August.
Our personal recommendation for anyone with a full day in York: rent a kayak or paddleboard in the morning, get out on the water for 2–3 hours, then switch to a bike in the afternoon and ride the coastal loop. You'll cover water, coast, and countryside — the full York experience. We rent both from the same shop, so you can plan the whole thing at once. Call ahead to reserve: 207-363-4070.
York is at its best from late May through early October. July and August are peak season — beaches and trails are busy, but everything is open and the weather is reliably warm. Our personal favorites are June (shoulder season crowds, full summer daylight) and September (cooler temps, fewer people, brilliant light). The water is warmest in August if you're planning to swim or paddle.
For biking, May and June give you quiet roads and cool temperatures — ideal for longer rides. For kayaking and paddleboarding, wait until at least June for comfortable water temps, though wetsuits or drysuits open things up earlier.
York is a car-dependent town, but once you have a bike it opens up considerably. Many of the best routes connect naturally — York Village to York Harbor to Long Sands to Short Sands — so you can spend most of a day on two wheels without touching Route 1 if you pick the right back roads. We'll give you a map and route suggestions when you pick up your rental.
For paddling, the York River put-in is easily accessible, and we can give you current directions to the best launch spots when you rent. Parking near the water is generally free outside of peak summer weekends.
That's us — Bike & Paddle at 241 York Street, York, Maine. We're a full local bike shop and outdoor rental spot. Our rental fleet includes Trek bikes and BOTE kayaks and paddleboards, all in solid condition. Rental rates:
We're open Wed–Fri 9AM–5PM and Saturday 9AM–3PM. Call 207-363-4070 to reserve — especially for weekends in July and August, when bikes and boards go fast.
Rent a bike, a kayak, or a paddleboard — or all three. Stop in at 241 York Street or give us a call.
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