Emmons Preserve Pre-Dinner Hike

Journey with our expert local guide back in time and into the heart of Kennebunkport’s green spaces at the Emmons Preserve. This hike will take you through a variety of natural environments: a peaceful forest of pine and maple, the burbling Batson River, and a lush understory of fern and skunk cabbage. Red and gray squirrels, cardinals, and woodpeckers flit from tree to tree — and with some luck and patience, you just might spot a white-tailed deer or red fox.

As the site of an old homestead, the Emmons Preserve offers many historic features and interactive locations, including a historic gravesite. A unique labyrinth provides space for both reflection and recreation; the stones here were donated in memory of loved ones. There is also a Learning Trail designed to engage children with the nature around them, and folks are encouraged to use the Kennebunkport Conservation Trust headquarters porch when stopping for a rest.

This is a family friendly hike, suitable for all ages. Leashed dogs are welcome.

Learn more about the Emmons Preserve from the Kennebunkport Conservation Trust.

Details

• Time: 3 to 5 p.m., daily
• Duration: 2 hours
• Length: 3 to 5 miles, depending on participants’ abilities
• Difficulty: Easy to moderate
• Maximum group size: 10
• Age restrictions: None
• Dogs: Leashed only. This is a dense wooded area.

No strollers, please.

What to Wear and Bring

Wear comfortable clothes for hiking and the weather. Please wear sturdy, closed-toe shoes, hiking boots, or sneakers and be aware your footwear might get muddy or wet. Bug spray and sunscreen is recommended. All guests are expected to bring at least one water bottle to ensure safety.

Directions/Parking Info

57 Gravelly Brook Road, Kennebunkport. Access via Stone Road or Arundel Road. Turn onto Gravelly Brook (dirt road) and drive slowly to parking at KCT Headquarters. Watch for hikers on the road while driving.