Posted on July 3, 2014 and last updated on February 02, 2025

Marsh River Preserve, Newcastle

QUICK TRAIL FACTS

  • Preserve Size: 70 acres
  • Trail Mileage: ~1-mile one way
  • Pets: yes
  • Difficulty: easy
  • Sights: Marsh River, salt marsh

The 70-acre Midcoast Conservancy preserve borders the wide, impressive Marsh River. The short trail system includes a few spots where you can walk out to its banks and take in the view. The paths are mostly easy, but you will descend a long hill at the start of the walk.

If you head directly from the parking area to the far eastern end of the property (Point 8), without doing either of the two loops, it’s about 0.5 miles. Adding on these two legs, 0.3 miles and 0.2 miles, will extend the walk to about 1 mile one way.

The land trust has an interesting story to tell about the big salt marsh you’ll see at Point 8. Up until 2005, that viewpoint looked out over a 200-acre freshwater lake (Sherman Lake), created when a dam was built in the 1930s to allow Route 1 to extend across Marsh River. The road was relocated in the 1960s, but the dam — and so the lake — remained. Then, in 2005, a wild storm surge destroyed the dam, and the lake quickly drained. The state’s transportation department opted to let the marsh return to its natural state, a wise move, because salt marshes act like filtration systems, cleaning water and controlling flooding. Plus, as an intensely productive habitat, salt marshes support many species of commercial fish, shellfish and bait fish.

At one point, you could do a fantastic 10-stop nature walk at this preserve and learn about witch hazel, rattlesnake plantain, beech bark disease, and other topics. On my last visit, I didn’t find the interpretative guide at the kiosk, though.

Directions: Follow Route 1 North from Wiscasset for 4.5 miles. Turn left onto Osprey Point Road and bear left onto Eagle Point Road. Follow to the cul-de-sac at the end and park. From the North: Follow Route 1 South. Turn right onto Osprey Point Road at the top of the hill just past the Sherman Lake Rest Area. Bear left onto Eagle Point Road. Follow to the cul-de sac at the end and park.

Let me know if you have any trail updates or corrections!

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