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Local Natural Wonders Day 61 - Quoddy Head State Park in Lubec, Maine

Quoddy Head State Park is located on the easternmost point of land in the continental United States in the town of Lubec, Maine. With 541 acres and 4.5 miles of hiking trails, forests, bogs, incredible scenic views and a red-and-white striped lighthouse tower (West Quoddy Head Light), this state park is one not to miss.

From the Maine State Parks Website:

In 1808, West Quoddy Head Light became the easternmost lighthouse in …

Local Natural Wonders Day 60 - Newfound Lake, Bristol, NH

Newfound Lake is known as one of the cleanest lakes in the world! It’s clear, pristine water is fed by eight springs. At 2.5 miles wide, seven miles long, and 168 feet and 183 feet deep at two different points, it is also one of the deepest lakes in New Hampshire. This lake has two lighthouses - Newfound Light House at Paradise Point Lodge on Route 3A in Bridgewater and Reed Lighthouse next to the Ledges on W. Shore Rd.

Natures preserve…

Local Natural Wonders - Day 59 - Hamilton Audubon Preserve in West Bath, Maine

Hamilton Audubon Sanctuary is an 86 acre preserve on a peninsula in the New Meadows River. A 2.75-mile trail system winds through the coastal forest and side trails lead to beautiful vistas overlooking the cove’s channels, salt marsh, mud flats, and open water.

Directions:
Take the New Meadows exit off US Route 1 in West Bath. Turn left onto New Meadows Road and go straight ahead at the stop sign. Here New Meadows Ro…

Local Natural Wonders Day 58 - Hawk Mountain in Waterford, Maine

Hawk Mountain - within Hatch Preserve - offers a short (about 20 minutes) moderate hike with some incline, gravel and rocky terrain. There are three miles and a few options for trails to the summit. The views of the Lake Region from the summit are incredible, especially for a smaller mountain. This trail is perfect for beginning hikers and families any time of year. It’s an ideal spot for snowshoeing in the winter. Parking is loca…

Local Natural Wonders Day 57 - French Mountain in Belgrade, Maine

French Mountain offers a relatively easy loop trail, about .8 miles long, with several lookouts along a short ridgeline that offer perfect views of Long Pond, Great Pond, Belgrade Lakes Village, and surrounding mountains. This hike provides gorgeous vistas for such a short hike and less than 800 feet in elevation.

The trail heads east from the parking area and soon splits at the trail information kiosk, where hikers can choose e…

Local Natural Wonders Day 56 - Kenyon Hill Preserve in South Berwick, Maine

This preserve is 108 acres and includes a one mile, somewhat hilly trail and some pretty massive boulders! Great Works Regional Land Trust describes the preserve as containing “house-size glacial erratic boulders.” The preserve also contains blueberry bushes, wetlands, old rock walls and foundations. Great Works Land Trust offers a self-guided hike packet about the geology and history of this land and it even includes a…

Local Natural Wonders - Day 55 - Bridal Veil Falls in Franconia, New Hampshire

This 5 mile, moderate, out and back hike leads to one of New Hampshire’s most iconic waterfalls. This is a great hike for children, as the trail follows the Coppermine Brook from about the one mile marker on, with numerous places to stop for a picnic or climb the rocks before reaching the cascade itself with its natural rock slide and small pool for swimming. If you want to make a longer adventure of it, you could sp…

Local Natural Wonders Day 54 - Cascade Falls in Saco, Maine

Located near the Maine coast and easily accessible, Cascade Falls is a lovely 20 foot horsetail-type falls that is best viewed in the spring or after a heavy rain. In the hot summer months the falls may be close to dry, but it is still worth visiting at this time (just be sure to go again when the water level is higher!). The half-mile looped trail also includes Story Walk signs for children to follow that correspond to the children’s …

Local Natural Wonders Day 53 - Sprague Pond Preserve in Phippsburg, ME

Sprague Pond is a deep, cold spring-fed pond that is nearly ten acres and can be found on Sprague Pond Preserve. Off Route 209, the 114 acre preserve has a trail that winds past a beaver pond and dam, over a footbridge, and through a wooded area to Sprague Pond. The trail then follows along the shore. Just beyond the beaver dam, the trail intersects with the Sprague Pond Loop Trail. The loop to the right runs along the west …

Local Natural Wonders Day 52 - Ocean Path Trail in Bar Harbor, Maine

Ocean Path Trail is an easy, flat 2.2 mile trail that takes you along the shore and mostly parallels the Loop Road in Acadia National Park. There are numerous scenic views as well as access to the rocky shore. Along this trail two major natural attractions can be found: Thunder Hole and Otter Cliff. This trail can have a bit more traffic, so if you prefer quieter times, try early or late in the day.

More on exploring along th…