The Vaughn Woods in Hallowell, Maine is a 166-acre property, owned and managed by the Vaughan Homestead Foundation. It has three stone bridges (the lower bridge has a stamp indicating it was constructed in 1930), waterfalls, and man made Cascade Pond (downloadable PDF trail map). Many locals call it “Hobbit Land” due to the Lord of the Rings type of scenery found here.
It can be reached on the North side from the intersection of Middle Street and Litchfield Road in Hallowell, and from the South behind Hall Dale High School in Farmingdale.
Tammy and I visited on May 31st and while it was above 90 degrees in town, here it was bearable due to the overhanging foliage canopy and the water flowing through the gorge. The main path around Vaughn Brook can’t be more than a couple of miles total, and I expect it’s much less. This location is well worth visiting and we’ll definitely be back during the Fall season.
Lower Bridge
Upper Bridge
Dam 1
Dam 2
11 Comments
Spent many hours in the these woods as a kid. Summer walking the trails and across the dam; getting feet wet. In the winter skating at the Cascade Pond.
Nice site man. Been wanting to do that Monson to rt 201 hike for a while. Good pics and info.
Love this place. Been quite a bit n always worth the drive from lewiston. I find the back way thru Litchfield is faster than the long haul down 202. We call it ‘webwood’ cuz there’s a few spots with ALOT of spiders. Saw a praying mantis in the field once
Is there camping there. ??
Sorry, there is not.
Is this place stroller friendly? Have a 1 year would like to take him there.
There are some areas that are stroller friendly. A large portion of the trails here are hard packed dirt and/or bark mulch.
Is work going on part of woods and trail closest to the railroad tracks and rail trail?
It looks beautiful. Is this site dog friendly?
Is this now open. Earlier in the season it was closed due to covid.
I’m not sure if it is now open. I haven’t been in that area all year.