Local Wonders

Local Natural Wonders Day 25 - Step Falls in Newry, Maine

Step Falls runs through a 24-acre preserve managed by the Mahoosuc Land Trust. This 1.1 mile out and back, forested hike includes waterfalls, natural water slides and swimming holes surrounded by slabs of granite. It’s like a natural water park! It is a fairly easy hike with a few rocky steep areas that require a bit of rock scrambling. The water is very cool, clear and perfect for a swim to cool off.

Weekends here can be busy, especial…

Local Natural Wonders Day 24 - Height of the Land in Rangeley, Maine

Located in western Maine near Rangeley, there is an incredible vista in the 512-acre Rangeley Lakes Heritage Trust preserve. The preserve includes a portion of the Appalachian Trail and amazing views of mountains, forest and lakes. You may even catch a bald eagle soaring off in the distance. The Height of the Land can be found on Route 17 on the Rangely Lakes Scenic Byway. There is a pull-off area for parking. If you are in th…

Local Natural Wonders - Day 23 - Sebago Lake State Park in Casco, Maine

Sebago Lake State Park is a great spot on one of Maines largest lakes for swimming, hiking, biking and camping. For day use, the entrance to the park is in Casco, Maine. Clean water for swimming, sandy beaches and wooded trails make this a great place to spend the day.

More Information From Maine.gov:

Sebago Lake State Park opened to the public in 1938 as one of the five original state parks. This forested lakeside park i…

Local Natural Wonders Day 22 - Bubble Rock in Acadia National Park, Maine

Located inside Acadia National Park there is a "glacial erratic" - now called Bubble Rock - left by ice age activity a long time ago. Geologists state that glaciers carried Bubble Rock to its perch from the town of Lucerne, Maine - 40 miles away!

You will need to hike to the top of South Bubble (768ft elevation) inside Acadia National Park to reach Bubble Rock. Parking is located on the Loop Road. Follow the South Bubble…

Local Natural Wonders Day 20 - Runaround Pond in Durham, Maine

Runaround Pond, located at 315 Runaround Pond Road in Durham, Maine is part of a larger, 374-acre conservation area that also includes Chesley Meadows Preserve. The pond is perfect for any type of paddling and fishing, ice-skating and ice-fishing in winter, and it is surrounded by trails to walk or mountain bike on. Park at the Runaround Pond recreation area and go for a paddle, enjoy the scenery from a spot on the rocks or picnic t…

Local Natural Wonders Day 20 - Pemaquid Beach in New Harbor, Maine

Pemaquid Beach is owned by the Town of Bristol in midcoast Maine. It is operated by the Bristol Parks Commission for the Town of Bristol and a "sister" park to the Pemaquid Point Lighthouse Park.

Located about an hour north of Freeport on the coast, this beach has beautiful clear water and the sand is groomed daily. There are changing rooms and showers, as well as an outdoor shower to rinse feet and legs. Guests with mobility i…

Local Natural Wonders - Day 19 - Thorne Head Preserve, Bath Maine

Located at the end of High Street in Bath, Maine is this beautiful preserve. Follow a series of trails through a mixed wood forest to a stunning view overlooking the Kennebec River Estuary. This is a great hike for kids, and a perfect place to go for a quick ,but rewarding, local hike.

Description (From Maine Trail Finder)

Thorne Head Preserve is conveniently located at the confluence of the Kennebec Estuary and Whiskeag Creek,…

Local Natural Wonders Day 17 - Littlejohn Island Preserve in Yarmouth, Maine

Littlejohn Island Preserve is 23 acres, owned and managed by Royal River Conservation Trust. This coastal preserve includes a fairly flat and wide 1.3 mile trail with scenic views and access to the rocky shoreline. Visitors will likely see a variety of migrant birds and may even catch a bald eagle or osprey along the shore. There are even a few picnic tables - a perfect place to enjoy lunch with a view!

Parking is ver…

Local Natural Wonders Day 17 - Mount Battie in Camden, Maine

Mount Battie is located in Camden Hills State Park. There are a couple of trail options - Nature Trail and Mount Battie Trailhead. Nature Trail is a 2.6 mile loop, with a few steeper spots. Nature Trail parking is accessed from Mount Battie Road (DIRECTIONS). Mount Battie Trailhead is a short hike - only a half mile. Parking for this hike is located at the end of Megunticook Street (DIRECTIONS). Both offer gorgeous views of Penobscot …

Local Natural Wonders - Day 16 - Stovers Point Preserve, Harpswell, Maine

Stovers Point Preserve is a great little off-the-beaten-path beach in Harpswell. It is a great place to collect rocks and shells, check out some crabs, and go for a swim. This spot provides a beautiful view, a tidal creek, and a salt marsh as well as ocean swimming on a little rocky beach.

From the Harpswell Heritage Land Trust Website:

If you are looking for a day at the beach, try Stover’s Point Preserve! It’s free to…