Fryeburg Town Forest

The Fryeburg Town Forest
This Town Forest belongs to the residents of Fryeburg - it’s a special place and all are welcome here. The property is 74 acres in size, it is owned and managed by the Town of Fryeburg according to the Natural Resource Management Plan and Forest Stewardship Plan. It includes 900 feet of frontage along the Saco River, a number of small streams, and historic stone walls. The Canal Bridge Campground neighbors the property to the northeast. There is river access at the Canal Bridge Parking Lot. The historic Frye home site neighbors the forest to the southwest.

Directions

The Town Forest is located on Route 5, just south of the Canal Bridge Campground and just north of the Fryeburg Transfer Station. Click HERE for a map and driving directions from Fryeburg Village.

The Trail 

In just one mile, the trail weaves through many different forest types. While exploring the trail, notice how the forest types change and try to figure out what forest types you see  - refer to the Vegetation Stand Map.  The Silver Maple Floodplain Forest is a unique and endangered habitat. The forest also contains a pure Black Oak stand, which is a rare sight.

History
The original inhabitants of this land were members of the Pequawket Tribe. Also sometimes called “Pigwacket,” the tribe was an important subgroup of Abenaki Native Americans called Sokokis. Fryeburg was once a major Abenaki village, and the Saco River was key to the tribe’s way of life. Archaeologists believe the Pequawket traveled the winding Saco in Fryeburg for 9,000 years or more. An important transportation corridor and fishing ground, the Saco’s intervale also provided fertile ground for corn, beans and squash, which the Pequawket people began farming about 3,000 years ago.

In 1864 the property that is now the Town Forest was purchased by the Town, which established a town “Poor Farm” here. The area was timbered and had pasture where cows and other livestock were raised. As you walk along the trail here now, keep your eyes open for old stone walls, evidence of the back-breaking work of the farm residents.

Trail Rules

No motorized vehicles or snowmobiles

No river access

Dogs allowed on leash or voice control only

Pick up after your dog

Pack out your trash

Stay on the trail

Use Caution

Trail is a work in progress: there are currently two stream crossings without bridges

Average grade on the trail is 8%

Hunting is permitted in season

Thank You
Funding for the trail project was provided by: The Town of Fryeburg, the New England Grassroots Environmental Fund, and the AARP Community Challenge Grant Program.  We are also grateful for volunteer and fundraising help from two groups from Fryeburg Academy: Mr. Dana’s Senior Advisory Group Class of 2021, and The Pequawket Valley Alternative School under the direction of Dede Frost.

Fryeburg Conservation Committee
Trails at the Fryeburg Town Forest were created and constructed by the Fryeburg Conservation Committee. Get Involved! Contact us at fryeburgconservationcommittee@gmail.com or facebook.com/FryeburgConservationCommittee