Looking for a family-friendly trail system where you can choose a shorter woodland walk, bring the bikes, or turn your outing into a much longer adventure? Lowell Preserve in Windham offers nearly 6 miles of trails through more than 300 acres of protected forest, with options for hiking, running, mountain biking, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing.
For families, the wide Blue and Red loops are a great place to start. Each is approximately 1.5 miles, or you can combine the two for a roughly 3-mile adventure. Add in mountain biking trails, connections to the much larger East Windham Conservation Area, a nearby playground, and even a sledding hill in winter, and Lowell Preserve is a place families can return to throughout the year.
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Trail Experience
Lowell Preserve is a 308-acre property owned by the Town of Windham and permanently protected by a conservation easement held by the Presumpscot Regional Land Trust. The preserve contains nearly six miles of trails traveling through a varied landscape of hemlock, beech, maple, and oak forests. Streams wind through valleys between gradual hills, while exposed ledge, stones, and large glacial boulders add plenty for kids to notice along the way.
For a simple family outing, start with the preserve’s two main loops.
The Blue Loop is approximately 1.5 miles, and the Red Loop is also approximately 1.5 miles. Both follow wide, relatively easy trails that work well for walking, running, biking, or snowshoeing. Families looking for a longer outing can connect the two loops for approximately 3 miles of exploring.
These wider trails make Lowell Preserve especially useful for families whose kids aren’t quite ready for narrow, technical hiking trails. There is plenty of room to walk together, and the wider surface also makes the main loops approachable for younger bike riders.
Beyond the Blue and Red loops, Lowell Preserve has two networks of narrower technical trails in the northern portion of the preserve. These travel over steeper and more challenging terrain and are specifically developed for mountain biking.
When I visited, I couldn’t find an up-to-date map showing all of the mountain biking trails. However, I did find a newer, approximately 1-mile biking-specific trail developed by GPNEMBA and rode it with one of my kids. If your family enjoys mountain biking, it’s worth doing a little exploring beyond the main loops — just keep in mind that these smaller trails can be considerably more technical than the wide Blue and Red trails.
Along the trails you’ll find:
- Wide woodland paths
- Hemlock, beech, maple, and oak forests
- Gradual hills and valleys
- Permanent and seasonal streams
- Exposed ledge and rocky terrain
- Large glacial erratic boulders
- Mountain biking and technical trails
- Plenty of shade during warmer months
The preserve is popular for hiking, walking, trail running, mountain biking, wildlife viewing, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and other permitted seasonal recreation. Snowmobiles and ATVs are also allowed on designated trails.
Make It a Longer Adventure
One of the most exciting things about Lowell Preserve is that these trails don’t have to be the end of your adventure.
The trail system connects with the East Windham Conservation Area, which is part of a much larger conservation corridor. Together with neighboring conserved lands, the regional trail network provides approximately 30 miles of connected trails extending through Lowell Preserve, East Windham Conservation Area, North Falmouth Community Forest, and Blackstrap Hill Preserve.
East Windham Conservation Area alone protects approximately 700 acres and includes wooded trails, dirt roads, technical mountain biking trails, hills, and views toward Little Duck Pond and the White Mountains.
That makes Lowell Preserve a great starting point whether your family wants a manageable 1.5-mile loop or you’re looking for a much bigger hiking, running, or biking adventure.
Pair Your Hike With the Playground
Lowell Preserve is also a great choice when you want to combine a nature walk with playground time.
The nearby playground makes it easy to walk one of the shorter loops before letting the kids finish the outing by climbing, sliding, and playing. For kids who are sometimes reluctant hikers, knowing there’s a playground waiting at the end can be excellent motivation to keep moving.
In the winter, don’t overlook the large hill near the parking lot. When there’s enough snow, it’s also a fun spot to bring the sleds and add another activity to your visit.
Trail Details
Location: Falmouth Road, Windham, Maine
Trailhead: Near the East Windham Fire Station
Preserve Size: 308 acres
Trail Network: Nearly 6 miles within Lowell Preserve
Blue Loop: Approximately 1.5 miles
Red Loop: Approximately 1.5 miles
Blue + Red Loops: Approximately 3 miles
Difficulty: Easy on the main loops; Moderate to Difficult throughout the larger trail network
Uses: Hiking, walking, running, mountain biking, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, wildlife viewing, and designated motorized recreation
Surface: Wide woods roads and natural forest trails; narrower and rockier terrain on technical trails
Parking: Parking near the East Windham Fire Station
Managed by: Town of Windham and Presumpscot Regional Land Trust
Tips for Families
Ages: The wide Blue and Red loops are a good option for families with children who can comfortably walk approximately 1.5 miles. Younger kids may enjoy biking the wider trails.
Choose Your Distance: Stick with either the Blue or Red Loop for approximately 1.5 miles, connect the two for around 3 miles, or venture onto the larger trail network for a longer adventure.
Bikes: The wide main loops are useful for family bike rides, while more experienced riders can explore the narrower technical mountain biking trails.
Footwear: Sneakers or hiking shoes should work well on the main loops in dry conditions. Hiking shoes with good traction are helpful if you plan to explore the technical trails.
Season: Visit in spring and summer for hiking and biking, fall for colorful foliage, and winter for snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and sledding.
Winter: The parking area is accessible during winter, making Lowell Preserve a useful year-round destination.
Hunting: Hunting is permitted throughout the preserve. Wearing blaze orange is recommended during hunting season.
Pack: Water, snacks, bug spray, helmets if you’re biking, and sleds after a good winter storm.
Please follow Leave No Trace principles and carry out everything you bring into the preserve.
Why Families Love It
Lowell Preserve is the kind of community space that can work for your family in several different ways.
You can stop by for a simple 1.5-mile walk before playing on the playground, bring bikes and explore the wider trails together, challenge older kids on some of the technical terrain, connect into East Windham Conservation Area for a much longer adventure, or return after the snow falls for snowshoeing and sledding.
Parents can choose a distance that works for their kids that day instead of committing to one long route, and the wide main trails offer plenty of room for walking, running, and biking together.
It’s also a trail system kids can grow into. Start with the Blue or Red Loop when they’re younger, add the full 3-mile route as their endurance grows, and eventually explore some of the more challenging trails stretching into the surrounding conservation lands.
See It For Yourself
Plan Your Next Family Adventure
Before you head out, be sure to check the Lake Region Kids Calendar to see what else is happening nearby — from library story times and community events to seasonal activities, playgrounds, and other family-friendly trails.
Whether you’re looking for a quick woodland walk, somewhere to ride bikes with the kids, a winter snowshoe adventure, or a trail system you can continue exploring for years, Lowell Preserve is a wonderful outdoor resource for families in Windham and the surrounding Sebago Lake region.
View our full calendar for a complete list of events happening this week near Sebago Lake.
Looking for a particular community-focused business or service near Sebago Lake? Explore the listings in our Local Directory.
If you’d like weekly ideas like this delivered straight to your inbox — along with local events, outdoor spots, and family-friendly finds — be sure to subscribe to the Lake Region Kids email newsletter so you never miss what’s happening nearby.
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