Winter Fun at Roberts Farm Preserve in Norway, Maine: A Complete Trail Guide & Visitor Tips
Roberts Farm is a family-friendly ski center that prides itself on providing great trails for both locals and visitors to enjoy year-round. Visitors enjoy trail access and equipment rentals for free, which helps make cross-country skiing accessible and affordable. With 25km of trails, there are plenty of options for first timers, intermediate skiers, and thrill seekers looking to enjoy time outdoors.
In this blog post, we share everything you need to know before visiting at Roberts Farm Preserve—travel tips, lodging recommendations, rental information, how to avoid crowds, the best nearby restaurants, insider tips, and more! Ski you out there!
History
Western Foothills Land Trust purchased the preserve in 2009 with help from the Land for Maine’s Future program. The preserve was once a dairy farm, complete with a 1823 farmhouse, which was disassembled in 2021. Many pieces from the farmhouse were salvaged, refurbished, and sold locally.
Parking
There is a large plowed parking lot at the preserve with plenty of room for everyone. It can get pretty full on the weekend, but I have never not been able to get a spot. There are usually visitors coming and going so often that spots open up regularly.
Travel Tips
From I-95 South, take exit 63 for ME-4 toward Auburn. Merge onto ME-4 North. Continue on ME-4 for approximately 6 miles. Turn right onto ME-122 (Main Street). After about 1 mile, turn left onto Roberts Farm Road. Continue for half a mile, and the Roberts Farm Preserve entrance will be on your left.
From I-95 North, take exit 63 for ME-4 toward Auburn. Merge onto ME-4 North. Follow ME-4 for about 6 miles. Turn right onto ME-122 (Main Street). After about 1 mile, turn left onto Roberts Farm Road. Continue for half a mile, and the Roberts Farm Preserve entrance will be on your left.
Norway and Oxford can get congested Friday-Sunday from 9-11:00a.m. and 3-5:00p.m. due to the large amount of traffic coming and going from Sunday River and other nearby ski mountains. Be sure to plan accordingly.
Western Maine is known for getting a generous amount of snow, especially in February and March, so be sure to prepare for snowy and icy road conditions!
Lodging
There are several lodging options in the Norway region, including:
The Hampton Inn (15 minutes away)
Oxford Casino Hotel (15 minutes away)
Wolf Cove Inn (20 minutes away)
Bear Mountain Inn (15 minutes away)
Preserve Rules
As with any preserve, there are rules that must be followed by visitors.
No walking, snowshoeing or dogs allowed on groomed ski trails
Dogs must be on leash or under voice command
Stay on marked trails
Carry out what you carry in
No campfires or overnight camping allowed
Preserve hours are dawn to dusk
Port-a-potty’s (restrooms) are available for use
Highlights
Warming Hut
Conveniently located right next to the parking lot is a small warming hut that is perfect for gearing up out of the cold and wind. Inside the hut, you’ll find wooden benches, information on upcoming events, and a cozy wood stove. The hut is open 1-4:00p.m. Monday-Friday and 10:00a.m.-4:00p.m. on weekends and school holidays.
Equipment Rentals
Cross-country ski and snowshoe rentals are available for use during warming hut hours. Don’t fear—they have equipment for both kids and adults. There is no cost to use them, but donations are always appreciated.
Trails
The preserve has 25km of groomed cross-country skiing trails, ranging from flat beginner trails to steep difficult trails. Some of my favorite trails are the Libby Loop, the Rust trail, and for skiers that want a challenging, long ski—the Stephens Loop. If you ski the trails first thing in the morning, you’re more than likely to be skiing on fresh, beautiful corduroy. What could be better?!
Additional Activities
The preserve also offers two trails for fat tire biking and snowshoeing. The walker loop winds through all the cross-country skiing trails and eventually makes its way back to the parking lot. The other trail, named Janet’s, will bring you into downtown Norway.
Events
Did you know that Norway was once known as The Snowshoe Town of America? That’s right. As a matter fact, several major snowshoe manufacturers—Snocraft, Tubbs, etc., were once located in Norway. To honor this rich history, the Western Foothills Land Trust hosts an annual Snowshoe Festival in February, complete with snowshoe races, games, dancing, a fashion show, and a chili cook-off.
Insider Tips
The best spot for photos is the scenic lookout on the Libby trail that overlooks Norway Lake
The best time to ski at the preserve would be whenever Western Maine has a lot of snow—typically in February and March!
For a quieter ski, visit the preserve mid-week.
Not sure what to wear XC skiing? Click here to learn.
The best nearby breakfast spots are Daddy O’s Diner and Cafe Nomad. The Lake Store has the best breakfast sandwiches.
The best nearby lunch spots are Dolce Amici and Norway Brewing Company.
Leave no Trace
When it comes to enjoying time outdoors, remember the golden rule: Leave No Trace. It’s as simple as picking up after yourself, staying on the trails, and leaving nature just as beautiful as you found it. Think of it like being a good guest—keep things clean, respect the wildlife, take only memories and leave behind only footprints. By practicing Leave No Trace, you help preserve the magic of Maine for future adventurers to enjoy, so everyone can keep enjoying the same beautiful, wild world we love.
Interested in more insider Maine skiing tips and recommendations? You can find them all here.
Want more Maine travel inspiration + information from a local Mainer? Follow MyMaine on Instagram!
If you love spending time outdoors in Maine, be sure to scroll down to the bottom of the page (or click this link) and subscribe to my e-mail list! By doing so, you’ll be the first to receive all of my latest and greatest outdoorsy Maine content straight to your inbox! And I solemnly swear that I won’t sell your e-mail to spammers or scammers living in their mom’s basement.
With love,
My Maine
