Length: The primary loop is just under 2 miles long.
Difficulty:
- moderate
- strenuous
Permitted Use:
The preserve consists of approximately 85 acres of wooded land with over a mile of shoreline along the Damariscotta River, with rocky points, quarries, and views of both Seal Cove and Long Cove. Damariscotta River Association, now Coastal Rivers Conservation Trust, acquired the original 71-acre property in 1991. A 2022 fundraising campaign allowed for purchase of the point’s 14-acre tip from the Ulin and Richardson families, uniting the entire peninsula under the land trust’s care.
Read Plummer Point Preserve – A History
Read Plummer Point Now Whole – January 2023 article
Managing Organizations: Coastal Rivers Conservation Trust
Description
Plummer Point is a local favorite, with its lovely coastal spruce forest and stunning views of the Damariscotta River, Seal Cove, and nearby islands. The preserve is a good spot for birding. Seals can often be seen basking on the ledge just northeast of the point that is exposed at low tide.
Trails start from a gravel access road off of Route 129. The access road (approx. 3/4 mile) is a typical winding Maine gravel road with some gentle hills, and connects to a broad wooded trail at the tip of the preserve that slopes down to the shore and dock area. All other trails are narrow and winding, steep in spots, with uneven footing over rocks and roots. A deep water dock is available for public use at the northern tip of the preserve.
Directions to Trailhead
The trailhead is located at 1695 State Route 129 in South Bristol. From US 1 in Damariscotta, head south on ME 129 for 10.8 miles. The preserve is a mile north of the S Road on the right and is marked with a green Coastal Rivers sign (Alice Norwood Road is north of the preserve entrance and Pine Bluff Lane is south of the preserve). Park in the bump-out next to the road, taking care not to block the driveway. Proceed up Plummer Point Road to access the trails.