The Miller Park Papermill Trail in Lisbon, Maine is an easy, dog friendly walk along the Sabattus River. The trail is a little over 2 miles one way, paved, and handicapped accessible. It is a multi-use path with a short section used for atvs, and very popular for fishing, especially in the area of the boat launch. In some parts it runs parallel with what appears to be active train tracks, although we didn’t see any trains during our visit, and part of the trail is on a neighborhood sidewalk. There are markers along the trail explaining the mill history of Lisbon, making the Papermill Trail a scenic and interesting walk.
Dogs are allowed on-leash, and as always must be cleaned up after. Maintained by the town of Lisbon, parking can be found at the Sabattus River boat launch along the Route 96 and Frost Hill Avenue intersection, and at the opposite end on St. Ann Street. Follow the sidewalk on Upland Road to where the off-road section of the trail begins. Or you can be like us, and start the trail in the middle by parking at the Lisbon Community School, located off Mill Street. Please be respectful if school is in session.
On the day we visited, we began our walk at the Community School trailhead.
If you’re lucky, you may even meet one of the local residents out for a stroll.
The path winds its way along the river, with areas that you can leave the trail to get a closer look at the river that once powered the mills.
You can even see remnants of the massive stone supports for the Paper Mill Bridge, originally constructed in 1865, but collapsed during heavy rains in the spring of 1936. The large set stones that served as a sluice for the water wheel can also be seen nearby.
Please be aware that the trail is partially used by atvs, but the sections for motorized vehicles are clearly marked.
It was a very humid day when we visited. So after leaving the cool treelined part of our walk, we briefly continued along following the train track portion, but shortly thereafter retraced our steps towards the boat launch to head back…
…and found a cool spot to relax. Thus making for a short but scenic walk along the Miller Park Papermill Road Trail in Lisbon, Maine.
