Our Nature Trails are located on the Portland Water District owned, 1,700 acre, Sebago Lake Land Reserve located in Standish. There are three unique interconnected trails which also include a segment of the Sebago to the Sea Trail. Maps are available to help you navigate trails marked with color-coded arrows. You can access the trails from the Sebago Lake Ecology Center, from the Route 237 kiosk, or take a detour off the Sebago to the Sea Trail to explore and learn about the many different habitats located within the Land Reserve.

The Wetland Loop Trail can be easily accessed from the Sebago Lake Ecology Center. This is our shortest trail and great for children. The trail encircles a natural wetland/vernal pool where many unique species of plants and animals live.

You can catch a glimpse of the wetland or stop to listen for frogs and birds as you head uphill on the Toadstool Trail. Lady’s Slipper, Trillium and tasty low-bush blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries line this medium length loop trail. It’s most unique feature, however, is one of geologic proportion: the trail follows the natural curve of the land shaped by a glacier 13,000 years ago.

Our longest trail, Horsetail Hike, traverses high and low and is adorned with many soggy-soil loving plants. Pickerel Frogs have been known to parade across this trail as they hop along in search for their next mosquito morsel. This trail supports various habitats; a small stream trickles under the trail and vernal pools are scattered throughout the forest. Don’t leave without an interesting look down at the tops of trees from the glacial kame terrace.

Vernal Pool Hikes: Vernal Pools are an important part of the forest ecosystem, making them a key habitat to protect when thinking of our precious drinking water source, Sebago Lake. Vernal Pools provide a safe habitat for breeding amphibians that rely on fishless waterbodies to lay their eggs. Species, including the spotted salamander, blue spotted salamander, wood frog, and fairy shrimp, all rely on vernal pools exclusively to raise their brood. This unique habitat is home to many animals, who are food for lots of other animals like the barred owl, raccoons, foxes, and hawks. Vernal pools also help to hold water from spring rains and slowly infiltrate the water back into nature which reduces erosion and polluted runoff.

The Sebago Lake Land Reserve is home to dozens of vernal pools.
For a guided hike please contact the education coordinator.