Highland Farm Preserve

Visiting the Preserve

This is the place to go if you’re hoping to enjoy a stunning view of the York River watershed and perhaps find signs of York’s early European settlers.

Plan a hike with family and friends in any season or a day of cross-country skiing or snowshoeing in winter. Explore a variety of wildlife habitats, from rocky outcroppings to forests and vernal pools. You may even find a cellar hole or historic cemetery.

Open from dawn until dusk.

Download a Trail Guide

Click here to download a PDF trail guide!

Birding at Highland Farm Preserve

We host Bird Walk Wednesdays on the third Wednesday of each month at Highland Farm Preserve. For an ongoing list of our sightings, click here.

Natural History

Connecting thousands of acres of conserved land between Mount Agamenticus and the York River, this preserve is vital to protecting the quality of the river as well as the drinking water supply of Boulter Pond. It also provides a haven for native wildlife including seven rare and endangered species. Through a partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, we are working to restore and manage 30 acres of thickets to support the return of endangered New England cottontail.

Cultural Heritage

The 151-acre Highland Farm property was purchased in 2009 as part of the Mount Agamenticus to the Sea Conservation Initiative. It is forever protected and open for public access thanks to the generosity of many individuals, foundations, partner organizations, and the voters of the Town of York. The preserve provides a snapshot of York’s rich history with stone walls, centuries-old cemeteries, and even a cellar hole, providing an added bonus for those who love to find remnants of the past on a day’s hike. Highland Farm exemplifies an area of town that is among York’s most beautiful and least developed.

We acknowledge that our preserves sit on Abenaki lands. We extend our sincere gratitude and respect to these original caretakers of this land, and to all other Wabanaki people who have a relationship with this land.

Amenities and Trails

Highland Farm Preserve is accessible from the junction of Routes 1 and 91 in York by following Route 91 north three miles to the Highland Farm Preserve entrance on the right. The preserve features a universal access trail, ample parking, viewing platform, and seven trails covering more than three miles of varied terrain.

Allowable Uses

Hiking, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, nature study, and hunting are all allowed. Click here to read York Land Trust’s Hunting Policy. Motorized vehicles and bicycles are prohibited.