Vaughn Woods State Park was pleasantly quiet during our visit on a sunny day in the Spring. We brought our dog Boone along with us and he thoroughly enjoyed every minute spent romping through the forest.

On the northwestern side of the park stands a beautiful colonial home that overlooks the river. It was built in 1785 by Jonathan Hamilton. In 1898, the house and the surrounding land were purchased by a woman named Emily Tyson. Tyson and her daughter, Elizabeth Vaughn, worked hard to keep the home and the nearby forest well-maintained. The land was given to the State of Maine by Elizabeth when she passed away in 1949.

The park is located on Oldfield Road in South Berwick. If the gate is closed, there is parking is available on the outside of the park. If the gate is open, you’ll find a large parking lot down the road directly across from the playground. The park is typically open 9:00a.m.-sunset Memorial Day through Labor Day.

The 165 acres that makes up the park has so many beautiful features. There is a family-friendly picnic area complete with a playground, charcoal grilling stations, and picnic tables. There are also several beautiful hiking trails that wind back and forth between forests of pine and hemlock and the Salmon Falls river. Beautiful wooden benches are strategically placed alongside the hiking trails for visitors to rest and soak in the views. Click here to view a map of the park.

Upon leaving the park, my husband and I both agreed that the park is highly underrated. When I think of state parks, I think of somewhere I can go to unwind and connect to nature and I definitely think we found that here. Everything about the park was so laid back and welcoming, which made our visit so thoroughly enjoyable. I can’t wait to visit again soon!