Fryeburg Town Forest, Fryeburg

The town of Fryeburg has created a well-built and easy 1.1-mile loop through forest to a high bank overlooking the Saco River. The trail starts out wider and narrows a bit as it gets closer to the river. It’s too bad the trail doesn’t go right to the river’s edge, but you can clamber down the bank if you feel up to it. But no fear — you can access the river (and a sandy beach!) from the adjacent Canal Bridge Campground parking lot, according to the town.

A naturalist or forester has created a vegetation stand map for the trailhead kiosk, indicating the types of trees in the preserve. When you get closer to the river, you’ll pass through a silver maple floodplain forest, an endangered habitat, and circling along the loop, you’ll also see a rare black oak stand.

Directions: The forest is on Route 5, just south of the Canal Bridge Campground and just north of the Fryeburg Transfer Station. Drivers move fast on the road, so take care turning into the large parking area.