Elaine Stimson Warren Woods is a green oasis on Payne Road between Eight Corners and Cabela’s, with frontage on the Nonesuch River.
Trails: 1.8 miles
Land: 313 acres
Open year round.
Leave no trace.
Activities
- Hiking, wildlife-watching, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing.
- Dogs must be on a leash or under voice control at all times.
- No biking.
- For the benefit of visitors and wildlife, no drones.
- Hunting is allowed only with SLT permission. Visitors are encouraged to wear blaze orange during hunting season. No hunting is permitted on Sundays in Maine.
- Any collecting, foraging or commercial activity requires a permit from SLT. No exceptions.
Want to join others who help maintain these trails for the community?
The Land
313 acres
Natural Features
A mix of open fields, mature woods, streams, and wetlands, including 15 acres of Scottow Bog, a pitch pine bog considered a rare natural community in Maine. The property also has at least 3 functioning man-made vernal pool habitats, a large area of Nonesuch River floodplain, and large areas of mature forested uplands. The land is remarkably free of invasive species, and has abundant wildflowers, including unusual bog species such as wild orchid and carnivorous sundews.
History & Current Use
In 2012, SLT purchased 162 acres from C. Harvey Warren. Harvey’s wife Elaine Warren, who died in 2009, was a long-time SLT Board member, conservationist and educator. Their daughter, Becky Seel, was one of SLT’s founding directors. Harvey died in 2015, at the age of 90.
In 2016, SLT completed 3 loop trails and a parking area.
In 2021, SLT began the campaign to expand Warren Woods, increasing the size of the property from the original 162 acres, to 291.5 acres, stretching across both sides of Payne Rd, and including more land along the Nonesuch River.
SLT purchased this land with support from Maine Outdoor Heritage Fund (MOHF), individuals, foundations and Scarborough’s Land Bond Fund.
Other Information
More trails will be created in the future.
Detailed natural history information can be found here (9MB pdf download).