The Riverfront Woods Preserve is located directly east of the Royal River and the Sligo Road Preserve in Yarmouth. The 50-acre property is divided into three sections, all of which are owned and operated by the Town of Yarmouth and protected by conservation easements held by the Royal River Conservation Trust. The largest section is the Barker parcel, a mostly forested piece of land that includes a red maple swamp, several vernal pools, and some beaver meadow. The smallest section is a 7.2-acre open lot that makes up the northeastern corner of the preserve. And the remaining section is the 19.5-acre Dugas parcel, whose purchase was supported by the Land for Maine’s Future program in 2019. Upon acquiring these lands, the Town of Yarmouth began efforts to develop infrastructure for low-impact recreation at the site, such as hiking trails and improved trailheads.
This preserve is an excellent spot for those who seek a remote and adventurous hiking, snowshoeing, or backcountry skiing experience. As part of the Royal River Water Trail, the shoreline of the preserve can also be easily accessed via canoe, kayak, or paddle board. It is a neat spot for wildlife enthusiasts, as beavers, otters, deer, and a wide variety of birds all can be found within the property. The Riverfront Woods Preserve was the focus of conservation efforts in large part due to its status as one of few remaining undisturbed and undeveloped parcels of land on the shores of the Royal River.
Closest Town
Yarmouth
Activities
Birdwatching, Cross-country Skiing & Snowshoeing, Fishing, Wildlife Watching, Hiking, Paddling, Nature Study, Photography
Region
Southern Maine – York, Cumberland
Acreage
Entire Preserve: 50. LMF-sponsored: 19.5
Directions
From Yarmouth, head northwest on Main Street for half a mile before turning onto East Elm Street and following that for 1.3 miles. Turn left onto Riverfront Drive to access the trailhead.
Photos by Colin Durrant
