This iconic property is best known as the beautifully forested backdrop for the Maine State House in Augusta. The Kennebec Land Trust (KLT) first began their efforts to conserve a parcel of land on Howard Hill in 2009, and they eventually purchased the 164-acre property in 2015 with support from the Land for Maine’s Future program. In 2017, they transferred fee ownership of the property to the City of Augusta with a conservation easement owned by KLT. The area contains a cascading stream, large boulders, sheer cliffs, and several viewpoints of the State House and the Kennebec River.
One of the best ways to access this property is to start at the Effie L. Berry Conservation Area trailhead, located on Coos Lane in Hallowell. It’s a short, 0.6-mile walk from that spot to the Howard Hill property’s 1.2 miles of trails. A northern access point to the property is located at the intersection of Sewall Street and Brooklawn Avenue. Howard Hill is a fairly popular destination, acting as a pleasant nature retreat for the residents of Augusta. Its vistas can be accessed by snowshoeing or cross-country skiing in the wintertime, and the views of the city are excellent year-round. The property is also a great spot for nature study, photography, and bow hunting, which is by permission only.
Closest Town
Augusta
Activities
Hiking, Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching, Cross-Country Skiing & Snowshoeing, Picnicking, Photography, Hunting, Nature Study
Region
Central Maine Lakes District – Kennebec, Androscoggin
Acreage
164
Directions
The Effie L. Berry Conservation Area trailhead can be accessed by heading south on US-201, turning onto Winthrop Street in Hallowell, and then turning right onto Coos Street.
The Sewall Street trailhead is located just south of the Maine State House and the Maine State Museum.
