When my dog starts doing zoomies around my house, I know it’s time to take a trip to Fuller Farm Trails. When I find myself doing zoomies around my house with my dog, I know I need the trip just as bad as my dog does. For those of you that have never met my dog Boone, zoomies are a normal daily occurrence. For anyone thinking that we’re bad dog parents—we’re not. We take our dog on 3 walks a day, but there’s just something about him leaping through open fields that makes his heart (and mine!) happy.

Fuller Farm Preserve is comprised of 220 acres of open fields, hills, woods, streams, a waterfall, and wildlife. It’s maintained by the Scarborough Land Trust, who purchased land in 2001 from the Fuller Family. Before it was walking trails, Fuller Farm was home to crops, livestock, and hay. After acquiring an additional 50 acres from other donors, the preserve became 220 acres in size.

Fuller Farm is located on Broadturn Road in Scarborough Maine. There is a large, dirt parking lot that tends to fill up quickly year-round. One of the biggest reasons the preserve is so highly trafficked is because it’s dog friendly. Dog owners are allowed to let their dogs explore the trails either on or off-leash, as long as they are under voice control. Due to the width of the trails, it’s also a great place for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing in the winter months.

There are 2.9 miles of trails within the preserve, which offers six different trail options. Click here to view a map of the trails. The 0.3 mile Hayfield Trail begins right beside the parking lot. It moves through the open rolling fields towards the woods, where it meets up with the Maine Trail.

The Maine Trail, (arguably the most popular trail) is a 1.1 mile trail that starts out in the field and moves into the woods, where it crosses streams and intercepts with both the Waterfall and Brook Trail along the way. It also features some wooden planks and small bridges.

The Brook Trail is a 0.5 mile, wooded trail that cuts through the Maine Trail and connects to the Waterfall Trail. It features two beautiful wooden bridges and meets up with the end of the Maine Trail.

The 0.3 mile wooded Waterfall Trail also begins in the field where the Hayfield Trail meets the Maine Trail. It cuts through the Maine trail, making it’s way through the woods, over a wooden bridge and a beautiful waterfall. The end of the Waterfall Trail meets up with both the Brook Trail and the other side of the Maine Trail.

The 0.4 mile Bird Trail starts where the Maine and Brook Trails end and brings you back to the parking lot. It is the most challenging trail, with about 60 feet of elevation climb. This trail tends to be very very wet, muddy, and slippery in the Spring, Fall, and Winter, so be sure to wear appropriate footwear. Towards the end of the Bird Trail, it makes it’s way back into the field, where it meets up with the Maine Trail and the Overlook Trail.

As the name implies, the Overlook Trail overlooks the rolling hills in the fields. It’s my favorite place to stop and enjoy a snack or some lunch! It looks especially beautiful in late summer, before they cut the hay. In the winter months, bring a sled with you so you can get a few good runs in on this trail.

Fuller Farm is the perfect place to get away from city living and relax. It has year-round recreational opportunities and it’s also dog-friendly, making it the perfect go-to place for your after work trail walk.