Happy Farm River Trail
The trail is on private property that Whitefield landowners have generously opened for public use. Please stay on trails and respect the landowner’s privacy. Midcoast Conservancy protects a portion of the property through a conservation easement.
Happy Farm River Trail starts at the Recycling Center behind the Town Office off Townhouse Road, crosses several hay fields, and then cuts down through mixed woods to the Sheepscot River. Along the river, you can see evidence of beaver and spot a Belted Kingfisher, a Pileated Woodpecker or even a Bald Eagle if you are lucky.
The trail runs along a section of river that contains spawning and nursery habitat for Atlantic salmon as designated by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The woods are home to small mammals, deer and an abundance of songbirds, as well as mosses, lichens, and ferns. The Happy Farm River Trail is approximately a 2-mile out and back trip with some gentle ups and downs. It is well suited to walking, snowshoeing or cross-country skiing. There are two benches along the Sheepscot River which make nice picnic stops.
The Sheepscot West Branch Trail is maintained by our partners, the Whitefield Trails Committee.
The Whitefield Trails Committee was formed by a group of local citizens in the fall of 2013 when the Whitefield Community Forum indicated a strong desire for more recreational trails in town. The Trails Committee identified several potential areas for trails and got to work opening its first trail in the summer of 2014.
The all-volunteer Whitefield Trails Committee continues its work, currently maintaining three trails, and is working to develop others for the enjoyment of the public. Future trails may include access to the Sheepscot River and a field trail suitable for running and cross-country skiing. Contact David to learn more about the Trails Committee.
Directions:
Happy Farms River Trail
Whitefield, ME 04353
From the South/West: From the Gardiner bridge over the Kennebec River, follow Route 126 east for 8.2 miles to the intersection with Townhouse Road in Whitefield. Turn right and take the first left at the Whitefield Historical Society/Town Office Building. The trailhead is straight ahead, beyond the Quonset hut and recycling center. Parking is on your left.
From the North/East: Follow Route 17 to the intersection with Rte 218 in Cooper’s Mills. Go south on Rte 218 for 3.1 miles to Rte 126. Turn right and go 1 mile west to the Townhouse Road. Turn left and take the first left at the Whitefield Historical Society/Town Office Building. The trailhead is straight ahead, beyond the Quonset hut and recycling center. Parking is on your left.
