Griffin Island Loop

From the parking area, a sandy access leads down to Duck Harbor Beach. Follow the shore north toward the town parking area, with Griffin Island’s steep sand face visible along the western edge. The beach is the most open stretch and the best place to stop for the island-and-ocean view. Sand can slow the walk, and the shoreline can be affected by high water; turn back if the beach passage is blocked rather than improvising across closed ground.

At the town lot, continue up Griffin Island Road for about 500 feet to the fire road. The broad road narrows into a thin, brushy path across the island, so expect less obvious wayfinding than on a signed park trail. Stay with the described public roads and path, and follow any posted access restrictions.

The cross-island route passes near the Kuhn House, a mid-century modern vacation home associated with a circle of exiled designers. Its design used screened porches and movable walls to blur the line between indoors and outdoors. Its mid-century design used screened porches and movable walls to blur the line between indoors and outdoors. Stay outside and view it from the route.

A sharp descent at the far side opens onto Herring River. The return follows a dirt road beside the water to the bridge and back toward the starting lot. The river edge also shows the history of a 1909 dike that restricted tidal flow; restoration work is intended to reconnect salt water with the marsh.

Begin at Great Island parking area near the corner of Chequessett Neck and Griffin Island roads. This access is also used for the separate Great Island Trail; Griffin Island Loop has no confirmed signed trailhead. The adjacent National Park Service picnic area has portable toilets, but there are no confirmed food or water services along this loop. The dog rule for the full informal circuit could not be verified, so check posted rules before bringing a pet.