The Royal River watershed is full of interesting and exciting places to skate, including many locations on our conserved land. Please always be attentive to safety — especially ice thickness and depth. Wear helmets, and consider other safety gear.
- Chandler Mill Pond (New Gloucester) This 40-acre pond owned by Maine DIFW is a short walk from an accessible off-road parking lot on Snow’s Hill Road just west of the Turnpike.
- East Elm Street on the Royal River (Yarmouth). The boat ramp at Yarmouth History Center provides access to a six-mile stretch of frozen river. This section of river freezes later than ponds; be especially attentive to safety and ice conditions.
- Route 9 on the Royal River (North Yarmouth). The town boat ramp at Route 9 provides access to a six-mile stretch of frozen river. This section of river freezes later than ponds; be especially attentive to safety and ice conditions.
- Knight’s Pond Preserve (Cumberland and North Yarmouth). Knight’s Pond is a shallow pond that freezes early, a short hike from an accessible off-road parking lot with toilets. The pond is popular for pond hockey.
- Penney Road on the Royal River (New Gloucester). Skating upriver (and back) from Penney Road is a delightful remote wilderness experience. This flat section of river freezes later than ponds; be attentive to ice conditions and safety at all points. Beaver dams and shallow riffles mark the end of skating a few miles above Penney Road.
- Runaround Pond Recreation Area (Durham). Great skating for miles, with plowed parking, restrooms, and pond hockey.
- Shaker Bog (Poland). Great skating on a shallow bog with public access off Route 26. Wintertime parking on the shoulders of Route 26 requires attention to highway safety.
- Spear Farm Estuary Preserve (Yarmouth). Be prepared for a short hike into the pond from the plowed parking lot. The skating is fantastic when the ice is thick on this small freshwater pond.
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