Conserving and Exploring Together

RRCT's conserved properties offer a diversity of ecosystems and activities. Find the one that's right for you.

Explore all trails

Trails, preserves, and farms

Plan your visit and explore the Royal River

PLAN YOUR VISIT

Best Nature Walks

The Royal River watershed features many wonderful places to walk through nature including these remarkable locations.

Best Birding in the Royal River Watershed

The Royal River watershed is home to many amazing natural wonders including a whole host of birds. Derek Lovitch of Freeport Wild Bird Supply and author of How to Be A Better Birder (March 2012, Princeton University Press) and Birdwatching In Maine: A Site Guide (April 2017, University Press of New England) has helped us compile the best birding in the Royal River watershed.

Best Ice Skating in the Royal River Watershed

While the ice skating season isn't nearly as long as it once was, the Royal River watershed is full of interesting and exciting places to skate - including many locations on RRCT conserved land. Please always be attentive to safety and especially to ice thickness.

Best Mountain Biking in the Royal River Watershed

The Royal River watershed has a rapidly growing network of mountain biking destinations with a wide variety of trails and terrain.

Best Family-Friendly Paddles in the Royal River Watershed

These seven easy, flatwater, portage-free, and free public access paddling trips are perfect places to start exploring the Royal River watershed. They are great for families and beginner paddlers and all are round-trip adventures, so you won’t have to arrange a car-drop or shuttle. See Royal River Water Trail for more information about any or all of these spots.

RRCT 400-Footer Club

The RRCT 400-Footer Club introduces people to RRCT’s favorite high-elevation outdoor destinations. Complete all ten and you become a RRCT 400-Footer Club Member.

learn more

Get Out! Nature Walks

Get Out! Nature Walks are volunteer-led regular trips with trained master naturalists and other skilled volunteer leaders. The outings are well-planned, no-cost, guided adventures held once-per-month on Wednesdays at 2 pm. They are always free and held rain, snow, or shine. Check our detailed schedule below for specifics or updates.

Jointly offered by Chebeague and Cumberland Land Trust and Royal River Conservation Trust, our nature walks are at preserves in the Towns of Chebeague Island, Cumberland, Yarmouth, North Yarmouth, Pownal, Gray, New Gloucester, and anywhere else we decide to roam.

Be mindful of the weather, and dress accordingly. Bring appropriate gear, snacks, and a thermos or water bottle. Nature walks typically involve getting on our knees with a hand lens, or standing still for ten minutes craning up at a treetop. Trips are great for kids 6+. Our curriculum is targeted at adults and engaged youth. Because the purpose is nature observation, we ask that dogs please stay at home.
‍

Questions can be directed to info@ccltmaine.org.

Upcoming Get Out! Nature Walks
Location
Date
Get Out! Nature Walk: Winter Wildlife Tracking

Carley-Grant Preserve

Park in the Rines Forest parking lot at 363 Range Road, Cumberland

Jan 22, 2025

Wednesday, January 22, 2024 | 2:00 pm - 3:30 pm

Location: Carley-Grant, Cumberland

Curriculum: Because this property is infrequently used by humans, the forest animals have free run of the place. If there is snow, we are likely to see many animal tracks, such as fisher, porcupine, snowshoe hare, fox, and coyote. If there is no snow, we'll go looking for a porcupine high in a tree and whatever else winter shows us. There is no trail, so be prepared for a bit of bushwhacking. Please park at the Rines Forest lot at 363 Range Road, Cumberland.

Naturalist: Karen Herold

These Get Out! Nature Walks are volunteer-led regular trips with trained master naturalists. Join us for a well-planned, no-cost, guided adventure. Monthly on the fourth Wednesday; always free; rain, snow, or shine. Jointly offered by both RRCT and the Chebeague and Cumberland Land Trust, the walks take place at preserves in the towns of Chebeague Island, Cumberland, Yarmouth, North Yarmouth, Pownal, New Gloucester, and Durham. Our curriculum is targeted at adults and engaged youth. Because the purpose is nature observation, we ask that dogs do not join us. Email CCLT with any questions.

*Photography and Filming Note: Your attendance at RRCT events may be photographed or filmed and your attendance indicates consent to have any images or footage featuring you at the event to be used for RRCT-related materials and outreach. Should images or footage appear in marketing materials that you don’t wish to be featured in, you must notify RRCT at Info@RRCT.org and RRCT will cease to further use your image or footage for any new materials going forward.

Learn more
Get Out! Nature Walk: Topic TBD

Rines Forest

Feb 26, 2025

Wednesday, February 26, 2024 | 2:00 pm - 3:30 pm

Location: Rines Forest, Cumberland

Curriculum: TBD

Naturalist: Karen Bruder

,Get Out! Nature Walks

These Get Out! Nature Walks are volunteer-led regular trips with trained master naturalists. Join us for a well-planned, no-cost, guided adventure. Monthly on the fourth Wednesday; always free; rain, snow, or shine. Jointly offered by both RRCT and the Chebeague and Cumberland Land Trust, the walks take place at preserves in the towns of Chebeague Island, Cumberland, Yarmouth, North Yarmouth, Pownal, New Gloucester, and Durham. Our curriculum is targeted at adults and engaged youth. Because the purpose is nature observation, we ask that dogs do not join us. Email CCLT with any questions.

*Photography and Filming Note: Your attendance at RRCT events may be photographed or filmed and your attendance indicates consent to have any images or footage featuring you at the event to be used for RRCT-related materials and outreach. Should images or footage appear in marketing materials that you don’t wish to be featured in, you must notify RRCT at Info@RRCT.org and RRCT will cease to further use your image or footage for any new materials going forward.

Learn more
Get Out! Nature Walk: Signs of Spring

Spear Farm Estuary Preserve

445 Bayview Street, Yarmouth

‍

Mar 26, 2025

Wednesday, March 26, 2025 | 2:00 pm - 3:30 pm

Location: Spear Farm Estuary Preserve, 445 Bayview Street, Yarmouth

Curriculum: Join us to search for signs of life after a long period of dormancy and hibernation.

Naturalist: Karen Massey

Get Out! Nature Walks

These Get Out! Nature Walks are volunteer-led regular trips with trained master naturalists. Join us for a well-planned, no-cost, guided adventure. Monthly on the fourth Wednesday; always free; rain, snow, or shine. Jointly offered by both RRCT and the Chebeague and Cumberland Land Trust, the walks take place at preserves in the towns of Chebeague Island, Cumberland, Yarmouth, North Yarmouth, Pownal, New Gloucester, and Durham. Our curriculum is targeted at adults and engaged youth. Because the purpose is nature observation, we ask that dogs do not join us. Email CCLT with any questions.

*Photography and Filming Note: Your attendance at RRCT events may be photographed or filmed and your attendance indicates consent to have any images or footage featuring you at the event to be used for RRCT-related materials and outreach. Should images or footage appear in marketing materials that you don’t wish to be featured in, you must notify RRCT at Info@RRCT.org and RRCT will cease to further use your image or footage for any new materials going forward.

Learn more