Where it All Happens

Address: 57 GRAVELLY BROOK ROAD, KENNEBUNKPORT ME, 04046

Located in the heart of Kennebunkport, the Emmons Preserve has become a vital part of our community. The site features the homestead of Steve and Natalie Emmons, which was generously donated to the Trust. Steve's dream was to have the property serve as place for children to connect with nature. Over the years, KCT has built a beautiful headquarters building, established trails, and created a place for the people of Kennebunkport to gather. Our headquarters is used for outings for KCT's Trust In Our Children and Discovery Days programs. It also hosts local nonprofit events, family gatherings, private functions and more. You are encourage to visit and explore - take a hike, go for a snowshoe, follow the Batson River, walk the Labyrinth, discover on the Learning Trail or have a picnic on our deck.

More information regarding private functions at the Emmons Preserve can be found on the Rentals page of our website. Please note, our trails are not intended for commercial use.

Know Before You Go:

While we hope you’ll come explore our trails, woods, rivers, and come say hello to the staff in our Headquarters, please note our trails are not intended for commercial use. Along with this, due to the sensitive nature of rare flora and fauna in changing weather conditions, we do not allow motorized vehicles on our trails. Handicapped persons should contact the Trust and we can provide motorized access to a limited portion of the trails. Parking at the Emmons Preserve can fill up on a busy day, so plan ahead! Carpooling is not only a great way to save space parking, but also a great way to be environmentally friendly! You’ll find the Labyrinth on the Emmons Preserve heading out from Headquarters towards the Learning Trail. Find out more about the Labyrinth here. Please note from the trail head through the labyrinth is a wheelchair and stroller accessible stone-dust trail, but trails beyond the labyrinth may be uneven dirt with roots.

Hunting: Firearms are prohibited on Emmons Preserve. Only bowhunting is permitted. Hunting is prohibited on the Learning Trail. To register to hunt and learn more about hunting at KCT, click here.

Trail Head Parking:

Parking is available at the Conservation Trust Headquarters located at 57 Gravelly Brook Road. Limited parking is also available at both ends of Jeremy’s Trail.

Trail Lengths:

Batson River Trail: 1.8 miles from Trust HQ to the Tyler Brook Preserve.

Jeremy’s Trail: 0.4 mile round-trip (return to either access point via Batson River Trail).

Jenne’s Loop: 0.5 mile from Northern intersection with Jeremy’s Trail to Overlook.

Roller Trail: 1 mile loop from Trust Headquarters.

Learning Trail: 0.7 mile loop from Batson River bridge. Hunting prohibited.

Virtual Trail Tour

Click on the image to the left to be led through a virtual tour of the Batson River Trail at Emmons Preserve. Visit the button below to view all available KCT Virtual Tours!

KCT virtual tours

Favorite Loops:

Batson River Trek: From Trail HQ to Tyler Brook— 2.5 miles round trip. Experience the breadth of the trail network with views of the Batson River.

Learning Loop: From Trail HQ to Batson River Bridge to Learning Trail loop. Return to Trust HQ—1 mile. Enjoy learning stations at natural and historic sites developed by the Trust In Our Children program in partnership with Kennebunk High School.

Two J’s Loop: From Trail HQ take Batson River Trail to Jeremy’s Trail. At Overlook, take Jenne’s Loop. Return via Batson River Trail — 1.5 miles. Enjoy the beautiful Batson River at several overlook points, including Teal Hole Falls.

Roller Loop: From Trust HQ, follow the Roller Trail— 1 mile. This beautiful loop features views of the Batson River coupled with the Preserve’s namesake historic site, the Emmons Cemetery. This loop is excellent for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.