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Local Natural Wonders Day 11 - Mt. Apatite Park in Auburn, Maine

Mt. Apatite Park is a 325-acre wooded park located with four miles of trails that can be used for hiking, mountain biking, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. The park, owned by the City of Auburn was named after the mineral apatite, which was found there. There is much to explore in this park, including water-filled quarries.

There is ample parking at 64 Mount Apatite Park Rd in Auburn. To access the trails, walk past the Army…

Local Natural Wonders Day 10 - Chandler Brook Preserve in North Yarmouth, Maine

Chandler Brook Preserve has 2.9 miles of fairly flat trails that loop around the 65-acre property that borders Chandler Brook. Trails go through the forest, along the brook and along the mowed borders of the adjacent fields. This is a great, easy hike for kids and the perfect spot for dogs to run (and no dogs do not need to be leashed, but please clean up after them).

Directions from Royal River Conservation Trust:…

Local Natural Wonders - Day 9 - Emerald Pool in Chatham, NH

Just over the Maine border in New Hamshire is a short hike to this unique swimming hole. This easy hike is 1.6 miles out-and-back and leads to a small cascade with a striking emerald green pool. If you are a more experienced hiker, this trip could be combined with a much longer hike on the Baldface Circle Trail, or an easy backpacking adventure to the South Baldface Shelter.

About the Hike from newhampshirefamilyhikes.com:
The beauty of …

Local Natural Wonders Day 8 - Moxie Falls, Moxie Gore Township, ME

Moxie Falls Trail is an fairly easy out-and-back hike, totaling about 1.7 miles. It is kid and dog friendly (though dogs should be leashed). The trail leads to Moxie Falls Moxie, an incredible waterfall with a 90 foot vertical drop into a pool about 17 feet deep. Moxie Falls is one of the highest falls in New England. The falls are part of Moxie Stream which flows from Moxie Pond into the Kennebec River approximately 1 kilometer…

Local Natural Wonders, Day 7 - Mast Landing Sanctuary in Freeport, ME

Mast Landing is located along the Haraseeket River estuary with over 100 acres, including trails, a tidal marsh, stream, fields and forested area. It was founded by Maine Audubon in 1967 and is a beautiful area to explore and observe wildlife.

Visit the Maine Audubon website here to learn more about the different trails.

Directions from Maine Audubon website:

From I-295:

1. Take exit 22 to merge onto ME-125 S/ME-136 S/Ma…

Local Natural Wonders - Day 6- Bijhower Forest Preserve in Phippsburg, ME

The little known  73-acre Bijhouwer (pronounced Bye-how-er) Forest is beautiful and includes one of the northernmost stands of mountain laurel in New England. The laurel blooms in late June and early July. This amazing forest also includes a lovely seasonal waterfall and the “Hundred Foot Rock,” a massive bolder covered with leatherleaf lichen. The trail is approximately 1.3 miles, making it a great, easy hike for childre…

Local Natural Wonders, Day 4 - Brook Trail on Tumbledown Mtn. in Weld, Maine

Tumbledown Mountain (elevation 3,068 ft) is located in Township 6, next to Weld, Maine. While the views from Tumbledown are pretty spectacular, the most unique feature of this mountain is the pond - technically a “tarn” - located at the top. Many hikers will go for a swim or just dip their feet in the cool water.

Tumbledown offers several different trails to the summit, with varying levels of difficulty. Brook Trail, …

Local Natural Wonders, Day 4 - Morse Mountain to Seawall Beach in Phippsburg, Maine

Morse Mountain to Seawall Beach is part of the Bates-Morse Mountain Conservation Area, and you will want to check out their website for certain restrictions before embarking on this gorgeous hike. Morse Mountain is a fun hike to a gorgeous little sandy beach, but you will want to arrive before 10:00am, as the parking lot is small and fills quickly. The trail is 3.8 miles out and back and easily accommodates stro…

Local Natural Wonders, Day 3 - Squirrel Point Lighthouse in Arrowsic, Maine

You will find Squirrel Point Light at the end of a short, easy trail (1.4 miles out and back) in Arrowsic, Maine, 10 miles from downtown Bath. It’s a quick walk and one that is great with younger children, however a stroller will not easily fit on this narrow footpath.

Squirel Light is maintained by the U.S. Coastguard as a navigation aid on the Kennebec River. The Light and trail to the light is surrounded by over 600…

Local Natural Wonders - Day 2 - The Cliff Trail in Harpswell, ME

Today’s Local Wonder is the beautiful Cliff Trail in Harpswell. The trailhead is at the far corner of the back parking lot at the Harpswell Town Office,  263 Mountain Road. The main loop is 2.3 miles and marked in white blazes. The shorter Cut-off Trail is marked in yellow blazes. This is a beautiful, family friendly hike through a magical lush forest which leads to spectacular ocean views from the top of the cliffs.

From the Har…