Best Ice Skating in the Watershed

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 — especially ice thickness and depth. Wear helmets and consider other safety gear.

Chandler Mill Pond, New Gloucester - This 47-acre pond 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.

Old Town House Park, 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, North Yarmouth and Cumberland - 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.

RRCT Intervale Preserve, New Gloucester - Skating upriver (and back) from 490 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.