Mill Brook Preserve
Westbrook, 130 acres
Mill Brook Preserve features a 6-mile trail system first opened in 2016 on 130 acres of forested land along Mill Brook in Westbrook. This secluded and hilly forest valley is peaceful and feels remote while being located just minutes from Maine’s largest urban center.
Mill Brook is notable for the largest annual migration of alewives from Casco Bay to Highland Lake. This fish migration can be seen while hiking along the preserve trails in late May and early June. For more information, visit our Alewife Migration webpage.
You can access educational resources and activities for kids on our Explore Mill Brook webpage.
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.
TRAIL FACTS
Activities: hiking, running, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing,
Viewing the largest alewife fish migration from Casco Bay. During the run please do not get into the water, and please keep dogs on leash and out of the water.
Hunting is bow and arrow only
Leave No Trace: Please take out whatever you bring in
Difficulty: Moderate (South and North) to Difficult (Center and parts of the North)
Length: 6 miles
Click for directions to trailhead.
Trail Map (click to expand)
About the Mill Brook Preserve Trails
There are four trailheads that you can use to access the trails:
Northern Trailhead (primary trailhead) – intersection of Methodist Road and Route 302; parking for 8 cars.
Methodist Road Trailhead – next to 789 Methodist Road; parking for 3-4 cars in lot, additional parking along either side of Methodist Road.
***PLEASE DO NOT USE ALLEN KNIGHT ROAD FOR PARKING OR TURNING AROUND.***
MAGAN Trailhead – across the street from Willow Drive off of Route 302; street parking on Willow Drive.
Please use caution when crossing Route 302 to get to the trailhead.
Perry Court Trailhead – off Methodist Road next to 55 Perry Court; street parking is allowed along the road.
The trail runs along Mill Brook, crossing it in several places. The northern and southern sections are moderately hilly and offer excellent opportunities to see alewives in late spring and to catch scenic glimpses of the brook and other wildlife year-round. The central section that connects the northern and southern sections is for the more adventurous visitor, offering rugged climbs and traverses of steep hills above the water. Though close to Portland, the only noise you will hear throughout much of the trail is running water and wildlife.
Mill Brook runs from Highland Lake in Windham to central Westbrook where it empties into the Presumpscot River. As many as nine different fish species historically migrated to and from the ocean via the brook, providing an important ecological link between marine and terrestrial ecosystems. The return of alewives to the brook is the first step in restoring that ecology.
Mill Brook Preserve is owned in fee by the Presumpscot Regional Land Trust.
Guided Alewife Migration Walk at Mill Brook PRESERVE
Presumpscot Regional Land Trust partners with organizations like the Gulf of Maine Research Institute to host guided educational walks each spring, highlighting the incredible fish migration in our region. View a video of a guided Alewife Migration Walk below.
Special thanks to the Casco Bay Estuary Project for their support of this film.
Thank you!
Special thanks to Casco Bay Estuary Partnership for their ongoing financial support of Mill Brook Preserve.