The trails in this network traverse the once-farmed fields, which are now growing timber. The old stone walls visible from the trail once edged fields of crops. Upland forest areas along the trail have been harvested in the recent past and are now growing the next generation of forests. The forest includes unique areas of headwater wetlands which help to feed the Pleasant River, riparian areas, mature stands of hemlock, an enriched hardwood site, a Tamarack/Red Pine plantation, and homestead sites. Forest Management is an integral part of this area with the result that there is often evidence of an active harvesting operations. Please stay on marked trails.
Williamsburg began in the late 1800s as a small farming community. The forest is on land that once belonged to the Decker and Larson families whose old homestead foundations are featured on the trails. The property was abandoned during the Great Depression and acquired by the U.S. Forest Service in the 1940’s. After great effort by the Piscataquis County Soil and Water conservation district Supervisors the property was deeded to the district in 1980 and became an educational forest.
To learn more about this forest and the Maine woods, the public is invited to attend tours and workshops conducted by the Piscataquis County Soil and Water Conservation District throughout the year on the various topics including forestry and silviculture, Best Management Practices (BMP’s), soil and water conservation, vernal pools and more. Information can be found a the link below.
Pets are allowed at the Williamsburg Forest as long as they are on a leash.
Visit the Piscataquis County Soil and Water District online for more information or contact:
From ME Route 11 in Brownville, turn onto High Street (across from the Mobil Filling Station). Follw High Street as it goes up Brown Hill and continues past Moses Greenleaf monument. This road will turn into the Old Williamsburg Road and will turn to dirt, passing several homes. The site is 0.7 miles beyond the last home and is marked with a sign on the right hand side.
From Sebec Village, follow the paved road north to Moses Greenleaf monument. Turn left and continue north on the Old Williamsburg Road. The road turns to dirt passing several homes. The site is 0.7 miles beyond the last home and is marked with a sign on the right hand side.
The Canyon Trail is temporarily closed due to storm damage in July 2024. Trail managers are actively working to clean up the damage, please stay tuned for information about when the clean-up effort is complete.
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