Center Pond Preserve

A variety of natural features are found on this 253-acre preserve, including vernal pools, high ledges, mixed woods, small streams, and a beaver pond.
Trail Activity
Walking Hiking
Length
6.60 miles, Network
Difficulty
Easy, Moderate
Town
Phippsburg
Surface
Dirt/Forest Floor
Pets
Permitted
Fees
No

Description

These trails include views of a salt marsh, follow the shoreline of Center Pond, encircle a beaver pond, and traverse wooded ridges. Birding is excellent in this preserve and wildflowers are numerous.

To reach the Elbow Hill Trail from the parking area follow the northern portion of the Perimeter Trail for a short distance and turn left (east) on to the School House Trail.

The School House Trail runs from the Elbow Hill Road to the Drummond Loop Trail Another Drummond Loop spur goes 0.2 miles to an old farm foundation, one of three that can be found in the preserve. (Please note,  Elbow Hill Road is a private way and no parking for access to the hiking trails is allowed.)

The Drummond Loop Trail circles a pretty beaver flowage, though the dam recently washed away in heavy rains. The trail provides a 1.4 mile walk from the parking lot and back.

The Perimeter Trail follows the border of the preserve and along the pond shoreline. 4.8 miles. The Middle Trail runs from the south end of the preserve through woodlands to a connection with the Drummond Loop Trail.

Trail Manager

Visit Phippsburg Land Trust online for more information or contact:

Phippsburg Land Trust

Phippsburg Land Trust
PO Box 123
Phippsburg, ME 04562
Phone: (207) 443-5993
information@phippsburglandtrust.org
View website

Nearby Events

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Trail Tips

Leave What You Find
Respect natural resources, cultural and historic items, and wildlife by looking rather than touching.
Legend
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Trailhead Information

Take ME-209 (High Street) south from Bath to Winnegance. Continue on ME-209 (Main Road) south 4 miles to the Center Store. Turn left onto Parker Head Road and go 0.6 miles, crossing the Center Pond causeway, and up the hill to the Center Pond Preserve parking lot on the right.

Click on a parking icon to get custom directions
Please Log In or Create Account to add comments.
bwphoto
March 31, 2020
Completed the perimeter trails north and south on a cold, wet day in early spring. The first half of the trail along the pond was beautiful and interesting, especially the part that went through a very park-like stand of trees on the first peninsula. I spotted many Buffleheads and Mergansers in the pond. The beaver pond area is also fascinating, with several large, glacially smoothed boulders interspersed among the reeds. Other highlights include the random 20-30 foot cliffs in the forest with various ferns and lichen clinging to the sides. There are no high views on this hike, everything is pretty much in the woods except for the lakeshore. I would come back to do the northern perimeter trail again, but perhaps skip the less interesting southern portion of this preserve.
judyg548
October 20, 2016
Hiked this trail October 19, 2016. Trail was very slippery because of thousands of acorns and wet leaves. We also found many ticks. Maybe not the best trail in the fall. Use plenty of insect spray and do tick checks when you finish.
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