QUICK TRAIL FACTS
- Preserve Size: 3,200 acres
- Trail Mileage: lots, ~11.5 maybe?
- Pets: no
- Difficulty: easy
- Sights: Mousam River, grasslands, pine barrens, pond
This map shows both the Kennebunk plains (blue) and Wells Barren (orange).
This is a phenomenal area, a grasslands and pine barrens, protected by The Nature Conservancy, the state, and other organizations, that is home to several rare or endangered species. Evidently, in late summer, the fields bloom with the world’s largest population of a purple flower called northern blazing star — the only place in Maine where this happens. The area is huge and a number of dirt roads and paths criss-cross it. A couple paths head down to the Mousam River or little fishing areas.
Also to cross from the trails near the pond, which is near Route 99, to the trails off Maguire Road, you have to dip down into a ravine and bushwhack, and cross a little stream.
Directions: From downtown Kennebunk, take Route 99 northwest; parking is available at the property on the right and on the left. There is also parking off of Maguire Road.
