Facilities

The Eel River Preserve is the product of a joint effort by numerous local, state, and federal agencies. 1.5 miles of the Eel River stream channel and 40 acres of cranberry bogs were restored to their native state. 17,000 Atlantic White Cedar trees were planted which will, upon maturity, make the Preserve one of the largest Atlantic White Cedar swamps in the state. A flat 2-mile trail walks the perimeter of the Preserve, beginning at the trailhead located at the corner of Long Pond Road and Boot Pond Road. The trail includes multiple sections of wooden bog bridges installed by Natural Resources staff in 2020/2021 along wetter portions of the trail, and a resting bench adjacent to the headwaters installed by the Trails Committee. An additional small trail loop extends into the woods at the southern end of the Preserve with great topography through older-growth forest.

Please be aware- due to a United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) easement on the property, horseback riding and conveying livestock through the property is explicitly prohibited on the Preserve. 

Trail Length: 2.5 miles of trails

Trail Surface: Dirt, Bog Road, Wood Bog Bridges

Size of Eel River Preserve: 40 acres

Size of Russel Mill Pond Conservation Area: 68 acres