Tenmile River Demonstration Forest

Oxford County Soil & Water Conservation District’s demonstration forest is named for the narrow, shrubby river that forms part of the preserve’s western boundary. But it could also refer to the many miles of walking you can do in this vast place! Grab a map at the kiosk or take a photo — the pamphlet has trail descriptions and distances.

Along your travels, you might see interpretative panels (some a bit faded maybe), benches, two viewing platforms, freshwater marshland, a kettle-hole spruce bog, beaver dams, headwater streams, pitch pine-scrub oak habitat, and pine stands planted by the District in the 1950s after the Great Fire of 1947.

The trails — a mix of narrower footpaths and skidder trails — are all meticulously marked with color-coded blazes, which is very helpful on some of the lesser traveled paths. I found that the trail system on the south side of Notch Road to be more wild than the northern half. At times along the most remote paths, like Hiram Hill, there was no discernible path — just the life-saving blazes to guide the way! Another less-visited path is the Round the Kettle Trail, although the boardwalk and viewing platform on this trail is fun to check out. The terrain varies between flat and somewhat rolling.

Two highlights of the trail system for me: the Watershed Loop Trail and Tenmile River Trail. On the eastern side of Watershed Loop, you have a view through trees of marshy Round Pond from a little viewing platform and bench. It’s about a half mile from the kiosk. Tenmile River Trail brings you to a serene spot on the narrow river, about 0.7 miles from the kiosk.

The land here has an interesting history. After this area of crop fields and pastures burned in 1947, it was donated to the soil district and partly replanted with white and red pines. Bordered by the river on one side and the beaver-made Round Pond on the other, “the habitat diversity on the property is amazing for such a relatively small forested land tract,” according to the soil district, which uses the parcel to educate the public about sustainable forestry, timber stand and wildlife habitat improvement, and water resources protection.

Directions: A good-sized parking area is located at 600 Notch Road close to the Brownfield/Hiram town line. The kiosk is set about 100 feet from the parking area, along a wide, grassy lane to the north. In June and July, the lot is lined with flowers.