Native Plant Sanctuaries
Discover peaceful places and fascinating plants protected for their rarity, variety, or impressive seasonal displays at our six sanctuaries throughout New England. The sanctuaries are self-guided, with no attendants or fees.
What’s New
Trail Update at Annie Sturgis
Please exercise caution on the trails at Annie Sturgis Sanctuary in Vassalboro, Maine, due to extensive storm damage.
Fallen trees, mostly white pines, are blocking passage on some trails. We are in the process of hiring a contractor to remove the downed trees so visitors can enjoy the trails in the spring.
If you encounter a blocked path, please turn back rather than attempting to climb over or around fallen trees. Thank you for your patience as we work to restore safe access.
Your Donation Matter
Storm recovery, trail maintenance, and steward support depend on donations from people like you. Every gift helps keep our six sanctuaries open, healthy, and accessible year-round.
Plan Your Visit
Accessibility
The natural terrain and rustic paths at the sanctuaries are generally not accessible. The exception is Eshqua Bog in Vermont, which has a wheelchair-accessible boardwalk. We do not allow bicycles, off-road vehicles, or vehicles or other power-driven devices used for mobility assistance (with the exception of wheelchairs and scooters) on the paths at any of our sanctuaries.
Sanctuary Etiquette
- Dogs must be leashed
- Leave no trace
- No removing, cutting, or picking plants
- No camping, fires, or smoking
- No horses, bicycles, or off-road vehicles
Book a Tour
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Eshqua Bog Boardwalk Etiquette
Pass others only at the three dedicated passing areas. If you are physically able, please return to your vehicle on the loop trail rather than via the boardwalk. Be kind and considerate of others — don’t block the boardwalk for great lengths of time. As always, stay on the boardwalk. There are many fragile plants and lots of poison ivy growing in the bog.
Sanctuaries
Annie Sturgis Sanctuary
Lime-loving plants and woodland wildflowers thrive on 40 acres along the Kennebec River in Vassalboro, Maine. Visit in early to mid-May for spring ephemerals, or in autumn for hardwood foliage displays.
Location
Vassalboro, Maine (8 miles from Augusta)
Highlights:
Rare plants, scenic hiking trails, historical significance, view of river and Mount Tom overlook, Critical Natural Area in Maine
Prime Time:
Early to mid-May for spring ephemeral wildflowers and birds. Autumn brings fall flowers and hardwood foliage displays.
Annie Sturgis Sanctuary
A rare 5-acre stand of Rhododendron maximum anchors this 56-acre sanctuary in Springvale, Maine, bordered by a red maple swamp and wet meadow. Visit in mid-July for peak rhododendron bloom.
Location
Springvale, Maine (3 miles from Sanford)
Highlights:
This gently sloping 56-acre site borders a red maple swamp and wet meadow.
Prime Time:
Mid-July for rhododendron bloom.
Robert P. Tristram Coffin Wild Flower Reservation
Hilly woods, sandy shores, a tidal marsh, and more than 100 wildflower species make up this 177-acre preserve in Woolwich, Maine, on the shore of Merrymeeting Bay.
Location
Woolwich, Maine (7 miles from Bath)
Highlights:
The site borders Merrymeeting Bay, a freshwater tidal wetland that is the confluence of six rivers and an important migratory flyway for waterfowl.
Prime Time:
Spring, for forest wildflowers. Waterfowl migrate to the area in spring, fall, and winter.
Hobbs Fern Sanctuary
This 250-acre natural area in Lyman, New Hampshire hosts more than 40 types of ferns, including rare species and unusual wood fern hybrids, alongside boreal spruce-fir forest and wetlands.
Location
Lyman, New Hampshire (10 miles from Littleton)
Highlights:
See a sugar maple rich mesic deciduous forest, rich slope, and acres of boreal spruce-fir forest dotted with wetlands.
Prime Time:
May (or before trees leaf out), for spring ephemeral wildflowers.
Plainfield Sanctuary
This 250-acre natural area in Lyman, New Hampshire hosts more than 40 types of ferns, including rare species and unusual wood fern hybrids, alongside boreal spruce-fir forest and wetlands.
Location
Plainfield, New Hampshire (10 miles south of West Lebanon)
Highlights:
You’ll discover extraordinary spring ephemerals in nutrient-rich soils, woodland wildflowers, ferns, and riverbank flora.
Prime Time:
Late April to early June for spring ephemerals and woodland wildflowers.
Eshqua Bog
A 40-acre natural area in Hartland, Vermont, surrounding an 8-acre rich fen filled with showy lady’s-slippers and other wild orchids. A wheelchair-accessible boardwalk takes you close to the bloom.
Location
Hartland, Vermont (5 miles from Woodstock Center)
Highlights:
A wheelchair-accessible boardwalk takes you close to the orchids while protecting their delicate habitat.
Prime Time:
Mid- to late June for showy lady’s-slippers. Fall brings larch trees into brilliant gold display.
Visit Our Other Locations
Garden in the Woods
Our naturalistic botanic garden just west of Boston showcases New England more than 1,000 species of native plants on 45 acres sculpted by retreating glaciers into eskers and steep-sided valleys.
Hours:
10 a.m.–5 p.m. daily
Nasami Farm
Set on 75 acres in the Connecticut River Valley of western Massachusetts, Nasami Farm grows New England native plants from seed that we harvest sustainably from healthy, well-established wild populations.
Hours:
10 a.m.–5 p.m. daily