Located within 20 miles of more than one-quarter million people, Morgan Meadow offers a remarkably wild setting–with nearly a thousand acres of unbroken woodland and a 100-acre freshwater wetland. The property provides a significant natural sanctuary in the midst of development spreading out from Greater Portland and Lewiston-Auburn. Morgan Meadow shelters old-growth white pine and Read More
Dog Walking
Humans enjoy getting out to explore Maine's environment—but so do our four-legged friends! Taking a walk with your dog on one of Maine's public lands is great exercise for you, and for your pet. Keeping your dog active will help work off some energy and keep their muscles in shape. These locations allow dogs, but Maine has a leash law, so be sure you have your dog leashed or harnessed as you head out to explore. Also be sure to have plenty of fresh water for them during and after your hike.
Mount Agamenticus Region
Thanks to persistent work by a coalition of conservation groups and governmental entities, wildlife and human visitors can enjoy in perpetuity more than 9,500 acres of protected land on and around “Mount A,” a 691-foot monadnock that rises from the coastal plains of southern York County. The Agamenticus area holds the greatest species diversity in Read More
Mount Blue Region and Tumbledown Mountain
Visitors from throughout Maine and beyond have enjoyed hiking up Tumbledown Mountain (3,068 feet) and surrounding peaks for the better part of a century, most of them never knowing that they were crossing private land. Hikers assumed that the land was part of nearby Mt. Blue State Park in Weld, a highly popular park that Read More
Narraguagus River—Little Falls
Straddling a half-mile along the Narraguagus River, the 221 acres surrounding Little Falls supports some of the highest densities of juvenile Atlantic salmon found in the river’s lower reaches. The Narraguagus still supports a run of native Atlantic salmon, and is one of eight rivers where the species is federally listed as endangered. With support Read More
Newport/Dover-Foxcroft Rail Trail
When rails and ties were pulled up along the old Maine Central Railroad line between Newport and Dover-Foxcroft in 1993, area residents began to claim this rail trail (Four Seasons Adventure Trail) for their own. There are no other public lands in the area and people were eager to have a convenient site for outdoor Read More
Parker Pond Headland
Parker Pond is a scenic and relatively undeveloped lake situated in Fayette, a growing community 18 miles northwest of Augusta. The town has experienced a population increase of 217 percent over the past four decades as more people have discovered its natural amenities. Despite the surrounding development, though, the shores of 1,600-acre Parker Pond have Read More
Long Island
Chosen By: Toby Kilgore, Grants Manager Location: Casco Bay, Cumberland County Description: Long Island is located in Casco Bay, accessible by private boat, water taxi, or a 45-minute ferry ride from Portland. It was first settled in the 1700s and was part of the City of Portland until it became a town in 1993. Long Read More
Popham Beach
Chosen By: Beth Comeau, Communications Manager Location: Phippsburg, Sagadahoc County Description: Popham Beach is a sandy beach near Fort Popham, at the mouth of the Kennebec River. It’s near the site of the short-lived Popham Colony, founded in 1607 and abandoned the following year. Farther down the beach is Popham Beach State Park, a state Read More
Smalls Falls
Chosen By: Beth Comeau, Communications Manager Location: Madrid, Franklin County Description: A 54-foot waterfall on the Sandy River Activities: Swimming, hiking, photography, picnicking Favorite season to visit: Early fall Why it’s special: This waterfall is beautiful! You can hike up to the top, swim in the fresh, clean water at the bottom of the falls, Read More