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Saint Croix Island International Historic Site

Designation: International Historic Site

Location: Maine

Visit Official Park Website

📘 Park Overview

The winter of 1604-1605 on Saint Croix Island was a cruel one for Pierre Dugua's French expedition. Iced in by freezing temperatures and cut off from fresh water and game, 35 of 79 men died. As spring arrived and native people traded game for bread, the health of those remaining improved. Although the expedition moved on by summer, the beginning of French presence in North America had begun.

🌤 Weather Information

Located in Maine, Saint Croix Island experiences all four seasons. Summer temperatures range from 50-80F (10-27C). Fall temperatures range from 25-70F (-4-21C). Typically the first is in frost mid-October and first snowfall begins in November and can continue through April with an average accumulation of 67 inches (170 cm). Winter temperatures range from 5-30F (-15 - -1C). Spring temperatures range from 20-60F (-6-16C).

🚗 Directions

Saint Croix Island International Historic Site is best reached by private vehicle. The site is located 8 miles (13 km) south of Calais, Maine, on US Route 1, and can be reached either by Route 9 from Bangor or US Route 1, the coastal route from Portland and points south. From US Route 1, turn onto St. Croix Drive. The entrance gate is on the right. The visitor center is inside the ranger station.

Images

View of the drive into Saint Croix Island International Historic Site.

View of the drive into Saint Croix Island International Historic Site.

Credit: NPS Photo

A wayside discussing the history of the island along the interpretive trail.

An interpretive trail guides visitors through the history of the island and the people who called it home.

Credit: NPS Photo

A bronze sculpture of a Passamaquoddy person reaching out to assist the French settlers.

The Passamaquoddy's assistance kept the French explorers alive.

Credit: NPS Photo

A bronze sculpture of Pierre Dugua with a reenactor standing nearby.

Pierre Dugua and his men spent a dealthy winter on Saint Croix Island.

Credit: NPS Photo

Three visitors read an interpretive wayside along the trail.

As you walk along the trail waysides provide more information about surviving that deadly winter of 1604-05.

Credit: NPS Photo

Activities

Topics

Operating Hours

Sunday
8:00AM - 4:00PM
Monday
8:00AM - 4:00PM
Tuesday
Closed
Wednesday
Closed
Thursday
8:00AM - 4:00PM
Friday
8:00AM - 4:00PM
Saturday
8:00AM - 4:00PM

Entrance Fees

No entrance fees listed.

Entrance Passes

No entrance passes listed.

3-Day Weather Forecast

Tuesday, Feb 3

Sunny

Sunny

High: 31.1°F | Low: 19.6°F

Humidity: 75%

Wind: 11.6 mph

Rain Chance: 0%

UV Index: 0.3

Sunrise: 06:45 AM

Sunset: 04:39 PM

Moon: Waning Gibbous (99%)

Visibility: 6 mi

Dew Point: 20.2°F

Cloud Cover: 0%

Pressure: N/A mb

Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A

Ozone: N/A

EPA Index: N/A

Wednesday, Feb 4

Moderate or heavy snow showers

Moderate or heavy snow showers

High: 33.6°F | Low: 23.6°F

Humidity: 78%

Wind: 16.8 mph

Rain Chance: 88%

UV Index: 0.2

Sunrise: 06:44 AM

Sunset: 04:40 PM

Moon: Waning Gibbous (95%)

Visibility: 4 mi

Dew Point: 24.2°F

Cloud Cover: 88%

Pressure: N/A mb

Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A

Ozone: N/A

EPA Index: N/A

Thursday, Feb 5

Overcast

Overcast

High: 26.8°F | Low: 19°F

Humidity: 78%

Wind: 16.3 mph

Rain Chance: 0%

UV Index: 0.2

Sunrise: 06:42 AM

Sunset: 04:42 PM

Moon: Waning Gibbous (89%)

Visibility: 6 mi

Dew Point: 18.9°F

Cloud Cover: 0%

Pressure: N/A mb

Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A

Ozone: N/A

EPA Index: N/A

Park Alerts

Operating Hours & Seasons Information
The park is normally open year-round during daylight hours. Some park facilities are closed during the winter.

More Info

Parking area will be closed for paving August 31-September 2.
Visitors who arrive will need to park outside gated area along St Croix Dr. Short walk to visitor center. Please walk on grass to avoid fresh pavement. Call 207-454-3871 9 am-4:30 pm daily for more info.
Operating Hours & Seasons Information
The park is normally open year-round during daylight hours. Some park facilities are closed during the winter.

More Info

Visitor Center & Contacts

📍 Physical Address:
84 Saint Croix Drive
Calais, ME 04619

🏤 Mailing Address:
84 Saint Croix Drive
Calais, ME 04619

📞 Voice Phone: 2074540418

📞 Fax Phone: 2072888813

📞 TTY Phone: 2072888800

✉️ Email: sacr_information@nps.gov

Park Location


👏 Fun Fact
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