Saco Heath Preserve

The 1,233 acre Saco Heath Preserve is a beautiful public preserve that is privately managed by The Nature Conservatory. The preserve is located in Saco, Maine and it is open year-round and free to visit.

The rare occurrence of riverbeds – or, in this case, ponds – growing together resulted in the creation of Saco Heath Preserve. The nutrient-rich ecology starts to create fertilizer layers until the ponds dry up. All that remains are beautiful plants. Heathland plants bloom in the spring, creating a carpet of pink and white lavender across the heath. It also has one of Maine’s largest stands of Atlantic White Cedar and one of the state’s only populations of Hessel’s hairstreak butterflies.

The 2.2-mile loop trail is well-maintained and there are ample benches for resting. The half-mile-long boardwalk is a super cool aspect of the loop as visitors can walk over the heath’s diverse peatland habitats. The Saco Heath Preserve is a unique and beautiful preserve that is well worth checking out!

There are many great spots near the preserve to explore. These include Old Orchard Beach Pier, Wood Island Lighthouse, and many more! Portland, Maine is only about 10 miles away too.