A Little Known Place In Maine That's Perfect To Get Away From It All
By Michelle|Updated on August 30, 2023(Originally published March 10, 2017)
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Michelle
Author
Michelle's life is a colorful map of exploration and adventure. From the iconic streets of New York to the sunny shores of Florida, the jagged coast of Maine to the rugged terrain of Montana, she's been fortunate to call some of America's most beautiful states home. Beyond the U.S., Michelle's wanderlust has taken her on a motorcycle journey through India, led her to teach English in Hanoi, and saw her studying Spanish in Guatemala. Michelle graduated with a communications degree from the S. I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University and in addition to a career in advertising has worked with OnlyInYourState since 2016, where her love for travel and storytelling converges. Alongside writing and exploring, Michelle finds joy in photography, staying active, and time with her family.
For questions, comments and inquiries please email: mstarin@onlyinyourstate.com.
Oh, Maine. With all your nooks and crannies, we might think you were a breakfast muffin. There are so many hidden places to explore that we could dedicate an entire website to it. But, since some of you prefer eating delicious meals, we like giving you a mix of ALL the wonderful things you can do in Vacationland. Whatever it is you like to do best, we can probably all agree that sometimes we just need some peace and quiet. With that, we would like to introduce you to Vaughan Woods in Maine. This pleasant wilderness is like a woodland adventure just waiting to be had and explored. We have been to this forest more times than can be possibly counted and we can’t wait to show you this fabulous location.
Vaughan Woods covers nearly 200 acres in the small town of Hallowell and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
This beautiful land is very diverse and well worth exploring. There are stone bridges, ponds, streams, a dam, vast fields, and beautiful woods all just ready to be appreciated.
The beautiful nature preserve, which is often referred to as "Hobittland" features a number of trails perfect for enjoying a leisurely walk.
We have been many times to just get outside and enjoy a little stroll through the forest to get away from it all. You would never guess something like this was hidden in the woods unless you knew where to look.
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The area was originally owned by the Plymouth Colony to help in trade with the Abenaki Indians and is today maintained by the Vaughan Woods & Historic Homestead.
Many times we have seen kids playing down by the water splashing around or artists hard at work using this lovely forest as a muse. The dam area is especially iconic and beautiful during every season. The fall colors paint a pretty frame of color and in the winter the whole place may freeze up creating a dynamic and unique frozen waterfall.
The forest is quiet and peaceful, in our experience if you brave the cold this can be a great place to visit to get some solitude. Check out the scenery found in this winter wonderland with this Adventuring in the Moment video.
You can even take a path to climb up on top of the dam and when you catch it just right the pond will be completely still. This glass-like body of water will reflect the trees surrounding it and is especially pretty in the fall.
The brook can be seen in many places, but we think the best way to enjoy it is from any of the small stone bridges that run over it.
Heifer Field Loop Trail is just over a mile long, beginning at the Driving Bridge east of Cascade Pond. This will take you through the woods, over a small hill, and back to the beginning forming a loop. The Ridge Trail is about half a mile in length and begins at Uncle Sam’s Bridge (which is actually nonoperational) and ends at the field near the Heifer Field Loop Trail. The Arch Bridge Extension is steeper than the rest, but only about a tenth of a mile. It is used to connect the Stone Arch Bridge to the Ridge Trail. Then there is the Vaughan Stream Trail begins at the Corniche Trail and runs along the Vaughan Brook towards the Twelve Foot Falls waterfall. It then leads back to the Stone Arch Bridge. And lastly, the Corniche Trail is another fairly easy trail, with a length of about a quarter of a mile. It leads from the Hallowell trailhead along a steep hill and down to Cascade Pond.
Whenever most people go to walk in Vaughan Woods they do the simple loop trail. You can follow along with this AllTrails map but we encourage you to explore the woods and take the many different trails that all connect together.
Whatever trail you choose, you're guaranteed to enjoy some peace and quiet in a small town.
Parking can be found at the Hall-Dale High School when school is not in session - primarily afternoons, weekends, holidays, and during the day in the summer. You can also park in a small parking lot off of the Litchfield Road.
We love Vaughan Woods in Maine and have spent countless hours roaming the hills, playing in the water, and relaxing by the dam. Have you been to this wonderful wilderness before? Vaughan Woods is located in a quaint little city and if you would like to learn more about Hallowell, check out our previous coverage on this riverfront town.
Wait! Before you go…don’t forget to add these other 12 crazy Maine Adventures to your Maine to-do list!
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