The pine Tree State's Capital ARBORETUM

OUR TRAILS

The grounds of the Viles Arboretum are open dawn to dusk, seven days a week. These include six miles of trails, all marked and signed, on 224 acres. Trail maps are available at the trailhead kiosk. Dogs are allowed on the trails, on a leash at all times. Pet owners must pick up after their dogs.

A good introductory trail is to the Viles Pond, which takes one through the hosta garden, past the rock garden, and to Viles Pond, often alive with birds, dragonflies, and frogs croaking. Depending on how long one lingers to enjoy the sights, this one mile trail takes about 45 minutes.

Horseback riding is allowed with prior permission from our director. Please call 207-626-7989 or email the Visitor's Center info@vilesarboretum.org to speak with Mark about the riding guidelines prior to your visit. All riders, after getting permission, must park and unload at the Piggery Road entrance with prior permission.

The Visitor Center is currently closed due to COVID-19. The Gift Shop offers books, posters, bird feeders, and other items. Members receive a 10% discount on all purchases.

For more information on becoming a member, click below

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Driving Directions

From I-95 North: Take the new Augusta/Belfast Exit # 113. Proceed east straight through traffic light and over the new bridge crossing the Kennebec River. After the bridge, at the traffic light, turn right onto Route 201 South. Follow directions below from Routes 201, 202 - East bank of the Kennebec River.

From 1-95 South: Take the Augusta-Winthrop-202 Exit # 109 (Western Avenue); head east towards Augusta on Western Avenue to the rotary. Go 180 degrees around rotary to the 2nd exit. Go over the Memorial Bridge crossing the Kennebec. At the next rotary, take the first, immediate exit onto Stone Street. Follow Stone Street though the lights (now Hospital Street). The turn to the Arboretum's Visitors Center is approximately 0.7 mile past the lights on the left.

From Gardiner: Follow Route 201 North to the light at the Gardiner Bridge. Go across the bridge into Randolph. Turn left at the light. (Follow directions below from Randolph.

From Randolph: Follow Route 9 East towards Augusta. The turn for the Arboretum's Visitors Center is on the right hand side about 5 miles from the intersection of Routes 126, 27, and 9.

From Routes 201, 202, (from the East bank of the Kennebec River): Follow signs to Augusta. Take the 3rd exit off the Cony Rotary onto Stone Street (Route 9). Go up hill and straight through the traffic lights. The turn to the Arboretum's Visitors Center is approximately 0.7 mile past the lights on the left.

From Belgrade Lakes Area: Follow Route 27, approximately 2 miles past the Civic Center. Turn left onto Bond Street at the Cumberland Farms on the left. Turn right at the end of Bond Street. Turn left at the lights (1/4 mile) and cross the Kennebec River on the Father Curran Bridge. Go up the hill to the rotary. Go 1/2 way around the rotary to the 2nd exit. Follow Stone Street through the traffic lights (approximately 1/2 mile). The turn to the Arboretum's Visitors Center is about 0.7 mile up on the left.

From Route 17: Follow Route 17 west to the traffic lights at the intersection of Stone and Hospital Streets, (where Route 17 turns right). Turn left at the traffic light onto Hospital Street. Stay on Hospital Street and the turn to the Arboretum's Visitors Center is approximately 0.7 mile up on the left.