The 120 acre Kezar River Reserve in Lovell Village is one of GLLT’s best known properties. It features a canoe/kayak launch on the Kezar River, a picnic area, and three short trails, including a seasonally updated children’s book along the Storybook Trail. in 2024 the Storybook Trail was converted to an “accessible trail” featuring a 6 foot wide, obstacle-free stone dust path with gentle grades and an improved parking area. This trail project was made possible thanks to generous support from the Morton Kelly Foundation, Dorr Family Foundation, the Robert and Dorothy Goldberg Charitable Trust, Fields Pond Foundation, Quimby Family Foundation, L.L. Bean, Maine Coast Heritage Trust, Norway Savings Bank, and Stephens Memorial Hospital.

Directions

Located across from the old “Wicked Good Store” just north of Lovell Village. From the GLLT office at 208 Main Street in Lovell, head north on Route 5 for approximately 1 mile. Turn right onto the access road marked by the preserve sign, then follow the access road for approximately 0.25 mile and arrive at the parking area.

Property Features

The property was purchased in the early 1970’s by Bear Paw Timber Corp. as timberland for hardwood and softwood timber products. In 1999 the property was donated to The Nature Conservancy to serve as a working forest, and in 2003 the Nature Conservancy donated the property to GLLT to be managed as a natural area for public access. The property includes over 3,000 feet of frontage on the Kezar River, a black spruce swamp, steep ravines, and towering white pine stands.

Access

Canoe Launch: The launch is located at the end of the woods road, which begins at the chain gate in the parking area. Unload your boats at the gate, and use the provided boat carts to transport your boats and gear down to the launch. If walking your boat down to the launch is difficult for your, please call 207-925-1056 for permission to drive down the woods road.

Trails: The property features three trails, all loops under 1 mile round-trip. The 0.2 mile Slide Trail is a short, flat trail which leaves from the parking area and takes you past a small “slide” waterfall. The 0.4 mile Storybook Trail begins at the parking area and is a 6 foot wide, obstacle-free stone dust path with gentle grades which meanders atop a bluff overlooking the Kezar River, is lined with storyboards displaying a children’s book, and features a picnic area. This trail was built to be accessible to as many people as possible. The 0.6 mile Bev’s Loop Trail begins on the woods road and takes you atop and through some steep ravines. To get to it, walk around the chain gate in the parking area and walk down the woods road towards the canoe launch.

Species observed to date

Please forward any new observations to Dennis Smith, GLLT Database Administrator.