Outdoor Recreation
Colder temps and snow on the ground doesn’t have to mark the end of outdoor recreation! With planning, and proper preparation, there are many ways to have a safe, enjoyable outdoor experience, regardless of your preferred level of activity.
In York
York, Maine Parks and Recreation Department
York, Maine Center for Active Living
Sohier Park/Nubble Light
The Park is open to visitors year-round. Enjoy the view of the Lighthouse, watch the everchanging surf, and birdwatch. Sohier Park is a great place for some coastal birdwatching, see how many different birds you can spot this winter. This can be done from the comfort of your car, if you don’t like to be out in the cold. Directions • Facebook • Website
Mt. Agamenticus
Open year-round during daylight hours. Trail activities include hiking, biking (fat or studded tire), snow shoeing, Nordic skiing, and snowmobiling (on trails designated for multiple use). For less active recreation, the summit offers excellent views of the ocean, nearby hills, reservoirs and mountains on a clear day and spectacular sunrises and sunsets. Weather conditions may cause temporary road closures. Visit the website for more information about what to know, before you go, programs, and updates. Detailed Winter List • Directions • Facebook • Website
Beaches
Beaches are a great place to walk, surf, beach comb, bird watch, picnic (yes! even in the winter), and seek solace year-round. Birding in winter is best along Maine Beaches. Long Sands Bathhouse seasonal restroom is open dawn to dusk and there is a port-o-potty at Harbor Beach. Reminder that York’s beaches are carry-in/carry-out, please leave no trace. Beach Ordinances apply. More Info
Fisherman’s Walk
Accessible year-round, but not maintained for winter use; snow and ice could make the trek challenging. Parking available at York Harbor Beach or 103, by Wiggly Bridge
Hartley Mason Park
Open year-round for short stroll, beautiful view of Ocean and Harbor Beach. Path not maintained in winter, weather may cause slippery conditions. Parking available street side or at Harbor Beach.
Wiggly Bridge/Steedman Woods
Accessible year round, but not maintained for winter use; snow and ice could make for a slippery trek, prepare accordingly.
Goodrich Park
Bog Road Recreation Complex
Winter use available for low impact activities, such as snowshoeing, snowman building, running, family soccer, etc. Playground open for winter use, weather permitting. Directions • Facebook • Website
Mackey Skate Park
Ice skating, weather permitting, free, check facebook for ice conditions and updates. Facebook
York Land Trust
7 public access Nature Preserves including Highland Farm and the newest; Fuller Forest Preserve opening December 2020. Hiking, nature observation, hunting, cross country skiing. Check website for more information. Website
York Paddle and Pickleball Club
Paddle tennis is the one racquet sport you can play outdoors, even in snow country. Visit the website for detailed information about programming, membership and guest opportunities. Some programming available through parlsandrec.org. Located on Mill Lane, off of Rte. 91. Directions • Website • Facebook
Nordic Walking
Learn about the benefits of Nordic walking. Organized Nordic Walking programs available through the Center for Active Living. Register Here. Nordic Walking can be done pretty much anywhere that you can walk in the winter. Website
Agamenticus Ski Club
Youth, Middle School and High School Cross Country Ski Programs. Local programs and regional competitions. Website
White Pine Programs
Empowering people to strengthen their communities and themselves by building lasting connections to the natural world. “Children engage, teens find a place, adults unplug and feel inspired”. Outdoor Nature programs for ALL ages, including the following programs: Naturalists Nights, Wildlife Tracking Club, Guided Nature Walks. Monthly Bird Walks (with York Land Trust). Directions • Facebook • Website
Lead With Nature
Dan Gardoqui is an expert Naturalist, outdoor educator, and registered Maine Guide who offers custom programs, training, guiding, consulting and online courses. Many free resources at Lead with Nature You Tube Channel including “Learn a Bird” series! Online courses “talking with Birds”, “Old Survivors”, and “Migration”. E-Mail • Facebook • Instagram • Website
Local (Outside of York) Outdoor Recreation
Marginal Way, Ogunquit
Open year round, weather dependent. Approximately 1 ¼ mi. stroll, along the ocean, from Shore Road entrance to Perkins Cove. Not maintained in the winter, can be icy and slippery in some places, but great for snowshoeing after a storm. Free parking at Perkins Cove entrance. Website
Wells Reserve at Laudholm Farm
Several trails, open daily throughout the year. 342 Laudholm Farms Road, Wells. Directions • Website • Facebook
Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge
Visitor center is closed, but Carson Trail, Trails at Cutts Island, and Timber Point are open. Directions • Facebook • Website
Fort Foster
Pedestrian access only in the winter. Parking outside the gate house is permitted. Pocahontas Road, Kittery Point. Directions • Website
Kittery Land Trust
830 acres of conservation land. Check website for public access properties and uses. Website
Great Works Land Trust
16 preserves with hiking trails in the communities of Eliot, South Berwick, Berwick, North Berwick, Wells and Ogunquit. Check website for winter access and uses. Website
Powder House Hill
Located on Agamenticus Road where it intersects with Route 4 in South Berwick. The hill has 3 trails and 175-feet of vertical elevation. There is a small lodge at the base with a snack bar and wood stove. Check website for conditions and schedule. Directions • Facebook • Website
Kennebunk Land Trust
Properties include upland forest, coastal marsh and agricultural field. Many are open for recreational enjoyment. Check website for access and uses. Website
Eastern Trail
22 off-road miles from Bug Light (South Portland) to Kennebunk as well as scenic on-road routes that mostly follow country roads. Check website for uses and conditions. Website • Facebook
Harris Farm, Dayton
Cross country skiing, daily, snow permitting. Fat biking when conditions allow rentals available, snowshoe rentals available. Sledding, bring your own sled. Directions • Website • Facebook
A Litte Further Away, within the State
Maine Winter Kids Passport/App
This year’s annual membership is pay-what-you-can. Helping kids and families be active outdoors and developing healthy, lifelong habits through education and fun, outdoor winter activity. Discounts for youth and families across the State for a variety of activities and locations. Website
Seacoast Snow Park
Snow tubing tickets sold for set times due to Covid. Visit website for pricing and available days and times. Directions • Website • Facebook
Teens to Trails
To connect high school students to life-changing experiences. Year-round opportunities. Check website for programs and activities. Located in Brunswick. Website
Ripple Effect
Outdoor adventure programming with winter program opportunities that include; introduction to ice climbing, winter trek in the White Mountains, and Outdoor Leadership. Based in Portland. Website
Maine Trail Finder
A go-to resource for finding trail opportunities throughout the State of Maine. Over 70,000 Mainers used this resource in March and April this year alone. Great resource for exploring trail options in the State of Maine; there’s a trail for every interest and ability. Website
All Trails App. (FREE App.)
All Trails has the largest selection of detailed, hand-curated trail maps so you can hit the trail with confidence. Anytime. Anywhere. Wherever you might be, quickly find the perfect hike, bike ride, or trail walk/run by length, rating, and difficulty level. Filter by dog or kid friendly trails or find trails with awesome views. All Trails also allows you to turn your phone into a GPS tracker and follow your trail, so you don’t get lost. Record your pace, distance, elevation, and max speed, and share your adventures with friends and family. Mobile App
Visit Maine
Discover your Wanderland. With snow swept forests and frosty summits, winter in Maine is the perfect time to give into wanderlust and get out on the slopes and trails. A resource for winter beach walks, small and medium sized ski resorts, winter events, and more. Website
Ice Skating
A list of ice skating rinks and opportunities, State-wide. List of Rinks
Disc Golf
A list of State of Maine Disc Golf locations. Disc golf can be a great outdoor, winter recreation option. This is a great time to try something new. Like most outdoor, winter recreation, a little “know before you go” will go a long way toward a successful experience. Disc Golf Courses