Conserving and Exploring Together

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

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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. For a list of the best ice skating locations in the Royal River watershed, click here.

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.

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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.
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Questions can be directed to info@ccltmaine.org.

Upcoming Get Out! Nature Walks
Location
Date
Get Out! Nature Walk: Shorebirds & Sand Dune Habitat

Indian Point, Chebeague Island

Jul 16, 2025

Wednesday, July 16, 2025 | 8:30 - 9:45 am

Location: Indian Point, Chebeague Island

Curriculum: Join us and Maine Audubon’s Laura Zitske at Indian Point on Chebeague Island to learn about the shorebirds and the shoreland restoration project on this preserve. We may even have a chance to see the piping plovers who have been nesting in this area for the past two years! Please bring binoculars if you have them.

Transportation: If you are interested in joining us from the mainland and need transportation from the CTC ferry that leaves from Cousin’s Island, you will need to take the 8:00 am boat that arrives on the island at 8:15 am. We can give you a ride down to Indian Point and give you a ride back to get on the 10:00 ferry back to the mainland. If you have a bike you can bring over, that is an easy way to get to the Point independently (about a three-mile ride). If you would like a ride from the ferry please email info@ccltmaine.org with “Request for Island Transportation on 7/16” in the subject line.

Guide: Laura Zitske, Wildlife Ecologist, Coastal Birds Project Director

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: Wildflowers & Monarchs

Skyline Farm, North Yarmouth

Aug 27, 2025

Wednesday, August 27, 2025 | 2:00 pm - 3:30 pm

Location: Skyline Farm, North Yarmouth

Curriculum: Join us in the expansive fields of this beautiful preserve that is home to milkweed and other native wildflowers that will be in full bloom at summer’s end.

Naturalist: Karen Bruder Howe

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