East Windham Conservation Area + Lowell Preserve
Windham, 1104 acres
The overlook of the White Mountains in East Windham Conservation Area
East Windham Conservation Area and Lowell Preserve are two adjoining preserves owned by the Town of Windham. PRLT holds conservation easements on both properties, forever conserving the land for wildlife and low-impact recreation. Together with the Town, we steward the land and maintain the 10+ mile trail network for human recreation and wildlife habitat.
In 2026, the Town Council established the East Windham Steering Committee to guide the process towards creating a vision and management plan for the combined parcels. The committee consists of town officials, business owners, members of civic groups, Windham residents, and PRLT staff. The committee began meeting in June and updates are available on the Town’s website.
This project is part of an over 2,000-acre conservation corridor – larger than any state park in Southern Maine. A 30-mile trail network connects East Windham Conservation Area and Lowell Preserve with North Falmouth Community Forest and Blackstrap Hill Preserve (owned and maintained by Falmouth Land Trust). This is the largest wildlife habitat, clean water, and recreational trail corridor in Greater Portland.
This conserved land is in the homeland of the Wabanaki People. We respectfully acknowledge the People of the Dawn–past, present and future–and their connection to these lands and waters.
TRAIL FACTS
Activities: hiking, running, mountain biking, horseback riding, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, ATVing, hunting, fishing
Snowmobiles and ATVs are permitted only on certain trails
Hunting is permitted throughout the preserve, subject to state and local laws. Please wear blaze orange during hunting season.
Difficulty: Moderate to Difficult (see below for detailed descriptions of trail conditions)
Trailheads + Parking: Both trailheads are located on Falmouth Road and have off-street parking. Get directions to each trailhead by clicking the links below.
Lowell Preserve (note that Lowell Preserve shares a parking lot with the adjacent baseball field and fire station)
Please Leave No Trace and only take with you what you brought in.
This land is open from sunrise to sunset.
Map
Downloadable map link here.
ABOUT THE PRESERVES
EAST WINDHAM CONSERVATION AREA
Conserved in September 2023
Owned by the Town of Windham; PRLT holds a conservation easement
The terrain is hilly and forested, with a mix of hardwood trees and scenic views of the White Mountains and Little Duck Pond.
There are three main trails within this preserve: the Purple Trail, the Blue Trail, and the Universal Access Trail.
The Purple Trail is the perimeter trail and has the only access point to Little Duck Pond. Part of the trail is gravel, but it is primarily a natural dirt surface. This trail has many areas of steep incline and decline, with root systems and rocks that could be tripping hazards, especially by the pond. The southwest corner of the trail connects to the Red Trail in Lowell Preserve.
The Blue Trail is completely gravel. It is an internal offshoot of the Purple Trail, but instead of descending to Little Duck Pond, the Blue Trail continues straight on the gravel path to an expansive overlook of the White Mountains.
The Universal Access Trail is designed for a variety of ages and mobility levels. This trail is completely made of compacted stone dust with gradual changes in elevation. The trail will eventually connect to the Blue Trail and the overlook of the White Mountains.
There are also many “Technical Trails” throughout the preserve. These trails are more narrow and steep compared to the hiking trails named by color. The Technical Trails are most ideal for mountain biking and trail running.
Thank you to the over 400 people who donated to PRLT in order to forever conserve this land with a conservation easement. The project was also made possible by the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry’s Land for Maine’s Future program, the U.S. Department of the Interior’s Land and Water Conservation Fund, the Town of Windham’s conservation bond, Maine Community Bank, and numerous other business and private foundations.
LOWELL PRESERVE
Conserved in 2021
Owned by the Town of Windham; PRLT holds a conservation easement
The trail system consists of two primary loops, the Blue Trail and the Red Trail, each about 1.5 miles long. Both are fairly wide, with moderate changes in elevation. The northern Red Trail connects to the Purple Trail in East Windham Conservation Area, as well as to North Falmouth Community Forest via a short connector (marked in orange on the map).
There are also many “Technical Trails” throughout the preserve. These trails are more narrow and steep compared to the hiking trails named by color. The Technical Trails are most ideal for mountain biking and trail running.
The McIntosh Brook runs through the preserve and there are many areas with gradual inclines. Be cautious of these areas when wet. Lowell Preserve contains ubiquitous geological features including large glacial erratic boulders, interesting granite formations, and exposed ledges.
Thank you so much to the over 100 supporters who generously donated to Presumpscot Regional Land Trust in order to forever conserve this land under a conservation easement. Special thanks to Gorham Savings Bank for the matching challenge grant, Davis Conservation Foundation, and Casco Bay Estuary Partnership’s Habitat Protection Fund.
For information on the adjoining trails in North Falmouth Community Forest and Blackstrap Hill Preserve, visit the website of Falmouth Land Trust.
