Great Beaches in Maine for a Bonfire

A nighttime event on the beach is always fun, but gathering around a bonfire on the sand really makes the sparks fly -- and in the cold climes of Maine, also helps things get heated up. Few beaches in the state allow fires, but those that do are some of the most popular in Maine to begin with. Permits are usually needed, and beachgoers must exercise at least basic fire safety by ensuring that fires are fully extinguished before you leave the beach.

Long Sands Beach in the town of York Beach is one of the most popular stretches of sand on the state's southern coast, and also the only beach in the area that allows bonfires. Visitor and residents can celebrate special events in view of the Nubble Light - Cape Neddick Lighthouse with a wood-burning fire on the sand between August 16 and May 14. A special event permit and an open fire permit are necessary, and fires can burn on the beach only between 5 and 10 p.m. The event sponsor -- the person who obtains the permits -- is responsible for safety precautions and cleanup after the fire is out.

About an hour up the coast, 7 miles of sandy beach await in Old Orchard Beach, a tourist hotspot in the state for nearly 200 years. Bonfires are regular fixtures here in the evening, as several are lit throughout the year by schools and local organizations. The town itself even hosts beach bonfires during special events, including New Year's Eve, when residents bring their old Christmas trees to be burned. Bonfire permits can also be obtained for approved private events, allowing visitors and residents to fire it up for their own special occasions.

Set between towering sand dunes and the Atlantic Ocean, Goose Rocks Beach in Kennebunkport is known as a party beach and is famous for its frequent bonfires. You have to hike between the rocks and dunes to get there, but the 3-mile shoreline affords views of seals resting on the offshore rocks. Permits are required for fires, and the permit states that only "small fires" are allowed, but doesn't define what constitutes a large fire. Alcoholic beverages are allowed only in the 25-foot areas granted to beachfront residents, and fires must be extinguished by 10:30 p.m.

Known as the gateway to Maine, Kittery houses two prominent stretches of sand, Seapoint and Crescent beaches, which are separated by the Piscataqua River. Fires on these touristy beaches are allowed only in fire pits and with permits. Large logs are not permitted, but there are no stated restrictions on size of your fire. Guests starting fires on the beach are fully responsible for making sure they are completely extinguished before leaving.