Length: 2.5 miles for main loop. Another mile for O'Brien spur.
Difficulty:
- moderate
Permitted Use:
Sherman Marsh is a wonderful place to view wading birds and other wildlife.
Managing organizations: See map for details.
Trail Description:
Acquired by the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife in 1996 with the help of Coastal Rivers (then DRA), this property is varied, little-used, and rich in human history. A high ridge covered in juniper forms the spine of the peninsula and about half-way along is the remains of an old homestead.
Originally 95 acres in size, the property grew to 148 acres in 2020 with the purchase of two additional parcels in 2020. The 2020 acquisitions help assure ongoing public access and link the wildlife habitat to other forested lands to the south, such as the River~Link corridor. (Learn more here.)
The adjacent 22-acre Carolyn O’Brien Preserve was a gift of James and Carolyn O’Brien of Newcastle to DRA in 2003. A band of cliffs defines the western boundary of the preserve and a salt marsh that was once the lake defines the eastern boundary. In the future, both properties will be incorporated into the River~Link trail.
Directions to Trailhead:
Both Newcastle properties are accessed from Dodge Road just a few hundred feet east of Middle Road (or 0.8 miles off of Route 1). Park just into the woods road, but please do not block access.
Preserve Guidelines:
Please click here for guidelines to this preserve.
>> Download a printable version of the preserve map here.
