Steep Falls Village Preserve – Standish, 25 acres 

 

Steep Falls Village Preserve, opened in fall 2021, offers easy walks through beautiful meadows and forests. There is about a mile of trails in the network, which includes several loop options and a spur trail to a scenic wetland view. It is adjacent to 4,000 acres that are conserved by the State of Maine in the Steep Falls Wildlife Management Area.

This land represents an interesting and important part of the history of Steep Falls, as it is was the site of a working lumberyard from late 1800s through about 1980. What you see today is the result of 40 years of regenerated meadow and forest. Within the forest, there are a number of tree species not commonly seen at our other Preserves, including red pine, black locust, and a stately “survivor” elm near the trailhead.

Thank you so much to the 65 supporters who generously donated to the Presumpscot Regional Land Trust in order to forever conserve these 25 acres of land. Special thanks to the Anderson family for donating this land.

This preserve is in the homeland of the Wabanaki People. We respectfully acknowledge these People of the Dawn–past, present and future–and their connection to these lands and waters.

Please see below for the trail map and more information about the Preserve and trails.

                  TRAIL FACTS

  • Activities: hiking, running, biking snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, wildlife viewing, snowmobiling on designated trails

  • Hunting is not permitted in the Preserve (due to proximity to houses) but it is allowed on the adjacent state land

  • Leave No Trace: Please take out whatever you bring in

  • Difficulty: Easy to Moderate (red forest trail)

  • Length: .75 miles in network

          Click for Directions to Trailhead                                  

Trail Map (click to expand)


About the STEEP FALLS VILLAGE PRESERVE Trails

The trailhead for the Preserve is at the end of Mill Street, which is off of Route 113 in Standish. If the trailhead parking is full, there is additional parking on the side of Mill Street or at the nearby Mill Street Park.

The main trail area consists of three loops through meadow and woods - the smallest is about a quarter mile and the largest is a half-mile. There is also a quarter-mile spur trail that goes through evergreen woods to a scenic lookout at Tucker Brook and the surrounding wetlands. Most of the trail is quite flat and easy, though the wooded sections have some uneven terrain.

Even though the Preserve itself is fairly small, it is part of a very large conservation area. This makes it feel very remote when you are out on the trails and means there are good opportunities to see relatively uncommon wildlife. We hope you enjoy your visit and come back often.

Steep Falls Village Preserve is owned in fee by the Presumpscot Regional Land Trust.