Ted Wells Memorial Trail

This trail leads through a forest of white pines, red maples, and cinnamon ferns and transitions through an area of mixed shrubs and pitch pines, ending at an overlook of the salt marsh at Goosefare Brook.
Trail Activity
Walking Hiking Snowshoeing Cross-country-skiing
Length
0.40 miles, Round Trip
Difficulty
Easy
Town
Old Orchard Beach
Surface
Dirt/Forest Floor, Boardwalk/Bog Bridging, Grass
Pets
Permitted
Fees
No

Description

The 0.4-mile Ted Wells Trail (marked with white blazes) starts on the property of the Oceanwood Camp and immediately crosses a series of short bog bridges as the trail crosses into the Rachel Carson Wildlife Refuge.  The trail then turns right through the forest past a few informal paths before turning left towards Goosefare Brook.  The trail again crosses a series of bog bridges before ending at the marsh overlook. Return along the same path.

This trail is one of many blazed by the late Ted Wells, a longtime resident of Ocean Park. He was an extraordinary naturalist, teacher, and musician who saw the importance of the salt marsh ecosystem and worked to preserve it. Ted originally named this trail the White Dot Trail for how it was marked with white blazes. When Saco Bay Trails rebuilt this trail in 2002-04 it was renamed in Ted's honor.

In 2017, Saco Bay Trails began dismantling the old wooden boardwalk due to its deterioration. This trail was rerouted in 2020 and now leads to a new overlook of the salt marsh at Goosefare Brook. There are plans to add a bench or viewing platform to the new overlook in the future.

Estimated walking time: 25 minutes

Other Information

  • The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Saco Bay Trail cooperatively manage the trails that run on the Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge - Goosefare Brook Division. The trails are built and maintained by volunteers and members of Saco Bay Trails. Please make sure to leave no trace, pack out your trash, keep your dog on a lead, and pack out all pet waste. Please respect the private property of Oceanwood Camp.
  • In spring, summer, and fall, ticks and other biting insects may be plentiful. Visitors should take precautions to avoid these, especially ticks with possible exposure to Lyme disease. 
  • Hunting is allowed in the Rachel Carson Sanctuary, except on Sundays, so it is advised to wear blaze orange during hunting season.

Trail Manager

Visit Saco Bay Trails online for more information or contact:

Saco Bay Trails

Saco Bay Trails
PO Box 720
Saco, ME 04072
contact@sacobaytrails.org
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Trail Tips

Dispose of Waste Properly
Pack it in, pack it out. This goes for trash, leftover food, toilet paper, and hygiene products. If you brought it into nature, please bring it out.
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Trailhead Information

From downtown Saco, go north on US-1 and then right onto ME-5 (Ocean Park Road). Pass through the "Halfway Intersection" in Old Orchard Beach and continue on Temple Avenue toward Ocean Park. Cross the railroad tracks and turn right on Royal Street. Drive to the end where you will find parking on the left in front of the Oceanwood Camp office.

Walk to the right of the camp'ss main building and look for the trailhead kiosk that is to the left of the pool at the edge of the woods.

Click on a parking icon to get custom directions
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