Nature’s Hidden Gem Near Portland: the Saco Heath Preserve

I don’t want to spoil this spot by generating a bunch of interest and bringing lots of visitors, but I will say that the Saco Heath Preserve is one of the prettiest places in Maine. Located near Saco and Old Orchard Beach the Saco Heath Preserve is such a wonderfully unique natural area to explore. This is a spot for easy hiking, birding, and seeing a very different side of Maine’s landscape.

Have you been to the Saco Heath Preserve before, or have you even heard of it. It’s kind of a hidden gem, off the beaten tourist path and totally worth adding to your time in Southern Maine. We’ve got the scoop on what to expect at the Saco Heath Preserve and how to plan your time. If you have any questions about visiting or need more recommendations for things to do in the Saco area, please leave a comment or send us a note. We’re always happy to share more and help you plan a wonderful trip to Maine.

What Makes the Saco Heath Preserve so Special

So what is a Heath? I know, the first time I saw the sign for the Saco Heath Preserve I immediately thought “OMG, a protected area to pick the wild version of my favorite chocolate bar!!!” Yeah, no. A heath is a swath of undeveloped land, usually full of low bushes or meadow space. You might think of the Scottish highlands and how their hills are covered in heather. Well, that sort of uncultivated environment is “heath” so preserving it in its natural state is important. The Saco Heath Preserve is one of the few areas in southern Maine that has this sort of ecosystem, which is why its protection matters, and allowing people to enjoy this untouched space is special.

It’s not hard to see why the Saco Heath Preserve is so special, and it’s just beautiful with its different natural settings and colorful boardwalk. Located about fifteen minutes from town, it’s an easy addition to your drive through the Portland area or on the way out to Sebago Lake. When you arrive it seems like maybe you’re just going to go for a little walk in the woods, and it doesn’t seem too interesting or different, but then once you’ve made it past that first layer of the trail and the forest opens up, that’s when you see what you’ve come for.

From the dirt path through the trees you’ll step onto the multicolored boardwalk through the low bushes of the hilltop. It’s odd to step into this completely different environment after walking through a grove of evergreens. If you’re visiting the Saco Heath Preserve in fall, you’re in for such a treat. The vegetation all around the boardwalk turns the most amazing reds and oranges with the season and it’s a completely different sort of fall color experience. And what are these colorful bushes? They’re actually low bush cranberries! Yes, wild cranberries that you can pick and enjoy!

Tips for Visiting the Saco Heath Preserve

If you’re here at the Saco Heath Preserve in the fall, you’ll notice the cranberries are ripening along the trail. These aren’t the big ones like you can buy at the grocery store during the holidays, but small ones that are just the right amount of sweet and tart. You need to be sure that you’re picking the right berries though, as there are other native berry-bearing bushes along different parts of the Saco Heath Preserve trail. As you enjoy your hike, pick a few and then leave the rest for others to enjoy during their visit.

There is more to the Saco Heath Preserve than the cranberry fields, so don’t just end your visit there. Take the extra time to enjoy the walk through the deciduous forest at the other end of the boardwalk. I geek out about nature and one of the things I think is so cool and fascinating about the Saco Heath Preserve is that you have three different habitats here: a coniferous forest, the heath (highland bog-type field) and the deciduous forest. You’ve got such diversity of plants and birds that it would be a bummer to not enjoy each part of the trail system for what it is.

Allow yourself 90 minutes to explore the Saco Heath Preserve, and if you’re here for the cranberries, give yourself a few extra minutes for berry picking. I think the photography opportunities here are incredible, especially in fall, so don’t rush yourself through.

Being Prepared for the Heath Preserve

I love a nice, even, well maintained trail system, and that’s what you’ve got here at the Saco Heath Preserve. From the parking area through the evergreen forest the trail is mostly a dirt path with roots and then some boardwalk sections. When you get to the heath it’s all boardwalk, and there are benches along the way. When you’re through the heath and to the other portion of forest, you’re back to a dirt path. It’s still well maintained, but there are roots and such, and if it’s been raining or it’s after the snow melt it may be muddy. You can never go wrong wearing a pair of Xtra Tuff boots when you’re hiking in Maine, and the Saco Heath Preserve is a good spot for them during mud season.

This isn’t really a picnic destination, but if you’re feeling it, the bench areas could be a nice place to sit and enjoy the quiet with a snack. For visitors taking their time, it’s good to bring a light snack and water, but really, in total you’ll not be hiking more than 2.5 miles so you don’t need to worry too much about it.

You definitely want to bring your camera on the Saco Heath Preserve trail because the birdwatching and potential for other wildlife is great! Not to mention that autumn visitors get to experience one of the most vibrant displays of fall colors in Maine. Needless to say, the Saco Heath Preserve is a photographic bonanza.

Where else can I find a Heath to explore?

Heath is in reference to uncultivated land, and in the case of Maine, it usually refers to highland lowbush habitats. Pockets of heath and cranberry bushes can be found all around Maine and into New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. Locally, there aren’t many public places to find wild cranberries like this, but there are lots of opportunities for wild blueberries in the summer months. A great place to visit to enjoy wild blueberries is the Beech Hill Preserve to the north or the Rangeley Lakes region to the west (the Highlands). You’ll find many swaths of wild berries all over, but not many cranberry areas. Remember, whenever you’re foraging for berries of ANY type, be sure that you’re fully informed on what you can and should not eat. It’s very easy to mistake berries for something they aren’t and you do not want to poison yourself or your loved ones.

Getting to the Saco Heath Preserve

Even though it’s not a far drive from downtown Saco or Old Orchard Beach, the Saco Heath Preserve is a bit off the beaten path. It’s about fifteen minutes from OOB or twenty minutes from Portland. It’s not far, but it feels a world away. When you arrive, park wisely so that you don’t step into the soggy mud (if it’s been raining) and so others have space to park. The trail head is clearly marked and there’s just one way in and out, so you can’t get lost. I know you’ll love your time here.