QUICK TRAIL FACTS
- Preserve Size: N/A
- Trail Mileage: 3.6 miles one way
- Pets: yes
- Difficulty: easy
- Sights: Kennebec River, cemetery, ponds
By Sam Shirley
This 3.6-mile multi-use (hike, bike, ski, snowshoe, and snowmobile) trail is one of the three trails managed by the Old Canada Road Scenic Byway and which make up the Forks Areas Scenic Trails network. The other two trails are the Dead River Trail and the Ridge Trail. A description of the Dead River Trail can be found here. As of late 2025, the Ridge Trail was overgrown and isn’t a recommended hiking or biking route.
The River Trail follows the east bank of the Kennebec River. The trail is wide and is mostly gravel surfaced. Its southern section has gentle grades and is wheelchair accessible. The northern ~2 miles are still wide and smooth, but it does have some steeper grades in this section. There is good signage, markers every half mile, and picnic areas scattered along the trail.
The trail starts from a parking and picnic area at its southern end. (There are also two alternative trailheads further north). After passing a boat launch and cemetery, the trail closely follows the riverbank and passes through a large camping area. After about 1.5 miles, the trail reaches Route 201 and becomes hillier. Near its northern end, the trail passes by the Pooler Ponds, where there is interpretive signage and a picnic area. The Pooler Ponds are a series of three interconnected beaver ponds.
Directions: It’s easy to find the southern end of the trail, as it’s marked with a fairly prominent Forks Area Scenic Trail sign. There’s an open grassy area here, and plenty of room to park. This trailhead is about 1 mile south of the Northern Outdoors Adventure Resort on Route 201.
