The 124-acre Appleton Preserve is owned and managed by the Georges River Land Trust. The property boasts high-quality wildlife habitats along the St. George River as well as floodplain forest, forested and open wetlands, and upland conifer forests. There is a gentle trail that runs the length of the property, affording up-close views of the river.
A section of the historic Georges River Canal is believed to exist on the property. The canal system along this section of the St. George was built in the mid-19th century for the transportation of goods up and down the river. The canals allowed boats to bypass the many dams used to power mills along the river. Like most land in this area, the property was likely cleared for agriculture at one time before it reverted to the forest we see today. More recently, Connecticut Tree Farms, Inc., harvested timber during their ownership in the 1980s and 90s, the last time significant amounts of timber were cut on the property.
The Appleton Preserve is open to the public for day-use only; no overnight camping is allowed. Hunting is permitted with written permission. The parking area, managed by the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife, offers a hand-launch site for small watercraft (e.g. canoes, kayaks).
Leashed dogs are permitted. Please clean up after your pet!
This trail passes through a property that was acquired in part with funds from the Land for Maine’s Future program. For more information about the LMF program and the places it has helped to protect, please visit the LMF webpage.
Visit Georges River Land Trust online for more information, or contact:
The Appleton Preserve is located at the intersection of ME Routes 131 and 105 in Appleton.
ME Route 131 from the north (Searsmont): Follow Route 131 south from Fraternity Village Store for 3.5 miles and turn left onto Route 105 (Camden Road). Travel approximately ¼ mile. Prior to crossing the St. George River, there will be a parking lot on your right maintained by the ME Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife. Please park here.
ME Route 131 from the south (Rockland, Thomaston, Union): From ME Route 17 in Union, travel north on ME Route 131 for 8 miles, past Appleton Village, and take a right onto ME Route 105 (Camden Road). Travel approximately ¼ mile. Prior to crossing the St. George River, there will be a parking lot on your right maintained by the ME Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife. Please park here.
ME Route 105 from the east (Rockport, Camden): From the US Route 1/ME Route 105 junction, travel approximately 8 miles on ME Route 105. Just after crossing the St. George River, there is a parking lot on your left maintained by the ME Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife. Please park here.
Success! A new password has been emailed to you.
