Local Natural Wonders - Day 39

Local Natural Wonders - Day 39 - Vaughn Woods State Park in South Berwick, Maine

Not to be confused with Vaughn Wood in Hallowell Maine, Vaughn Woods State Park is a 165 acre park along the shores of the Salmon Falls river. This park features hiking trails through beautiful old growth pine and hemlock forests as well as sweeping river views. There are picnic tables and charcoal grills if you want to have a picnic or just explore the hiking trails in this magical forest.

To learn more about the History of this land go to Maine.gov

The trails (from Maine Trail Finder:)

The River Run Trail (0.8 miles): offers a scenic stroll along the Salmon Falls River, which provided transportation for the earliest settlers for their timber harvest. The river was named for the salmon that abounded at the falls during migration as the river connected the interior to the ocean and it also powered the first sawmill built in America.

The Bridle Path Trail (0.7 miles): is the return loop following gently rolling terrain. There are majestic old growth pine and hemlock trees along this trail, many of which are more than a century old. Most of the park was covered with brushy fields and young woods that was less fertile for farmers. In the 1630s, much of this property was bought by Europeans and often given to indentured servants upon completion of their service. James Warren, a Scot, was one of these indentured servants. At the end of his indenture, he settled on a 50-acre lot within the current park where a plaque marks his old home site.