Welcome to Merryspring Nature Center
Our Story and Mission
Our mission is to practice, teach and advocate sound principles of ecology, conservation and horticulture in order to protect our natural environment, and to provide natural landscapes and cultivated areas for public enjoyment. Established in 1974, Merryspring Nature Center is a cherished 66-acre sanctuary dedicated to preserving the natural beauty of the midcoast of Maine.
With a rich history of fostering a connection between people and nature, we offer a variety of programs and events for all ages. Thanks to the generous support of our members, we continue to maintain this open space for everyone to enjoy.
Merryspring is open to the public, free of charge during daylight hours every day of the year.
We are located just behind Camden’s Hannaford at the end of Conway Road.
Office hours are Tuesday through Friday, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. For more information, please call 207-236-2239.
Upcoming events
Plan your Visit
Gardens
Unlike other nature preserves, Merryspring features several beautiful gardens for you to enjoy! Merryspring hosts the gorgeous Maine Daylily Society planting, a large herb garden, perennial gardens, and new native shrub border and pollinator garden. Please visit our gardens section or better yet, visit Merryspring!
Trails
Merryspring has almost 4 miles of trails on its 66-acre property. On the rustic forest trails, you will explore different ecosystems. Follow the grassy meadow paths to see birds and insects or just enjoy the open spaces. Learn more about the Trails here.
Vernal Pools
Merryspring has almost 4 miles of trails on its 66-acre property. On the rustic forest trails, you will explore different ecosystems. Follow the grassy meadow paths to see birds and insects or just enjoy the open spaces. Learn more about the Trails here.
Fairy Village
You’re never too old for Fairy Village! Kids of all ages are welcome to build new houses and forts or fix up existing ones. Don’t miss the Wizards House! Discover more about Fairy Village here.
Kitty Todd Arboretum
The Kitty Todd Arboretum was dedicated in 1981 and contains 35 native tree species in one of the most diverse habitats at Merryspring. Maps and more information is available here.
Reservations
Merryspring is open to the public. Members can make reservations for the Hexagon or the Ross Center conference room. Merryspring is also a wonderful location for your garden wedding, meeting, or memorial service. Find out more details.
Weddings at Merryspring
Are you looking for a great location for your special day? With the beautiful gardens, the hexagon and Ross Center, Merryspring is the place! Find out how to reserve Merryspring for your Wedding.
How you can help
Exploring the Merry Spring
Merryspring relies on memberships, sponsorships, fundraisers, grants, merchandise sales and donations from generous people like you to offer our Environmental Education Outreach, Tuesday Talks, weekend workshops, ecology camps, and other services at little or no cost for participants like you.
We believe our work is important to our community – people of all ages and walks of life who come to Merryspring to learn, explore our gardens and trails or simply enjoy the incredible diversity of nature Merryspring offers.
But we need your financial support. And we would appreciate your spreading our message to your family, neighbors, and friends.
Here is how you can help:
You can donate any amount online. If you donate $50 or more, you will automatically become a member for one year. When you visit Merryspring, you can make a donation in the office or the donation boxes. One is outside the office and the other is next to the Hexagon by the gardens.
Become a member, attend a workshop or talk. Volunteer in the gardens or on the trails.
If you own a business or work for one, we have business sponsorships for our programs and also general operations.
We have an online store with environmentally friendly products. More products and colors are on the way. (As a fundraiser, we do not extend the 10% membership discount.)
Join us on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn. Please like, share, and comment on our posts.
We are very grateful to all who have helped over the last 50 years. We also appreciate everyone who has visited Merryspring to take a walk or to view the gardens for free.
Thank you for your continued support.
What our visitors are saying
Thank you to everyone who has visited Merryspring and left such wonderful comments. We welcome your feedback.
We walked the trails at Merryspring and were delighted to hear the “quacking” of the Wood frogs in the Vernal pool. What a welcome quack it was! I don’t know how long this goes on, but to have hit the right moment was terrific. And of course the signs of little green shoots everywhere.
I want to take this opportunity to thank you again for the beautiful refuge of Merryspring. I walked the trails this morning for about an hour and a half, and so appreciate the silence and stillness, the recent trail improvements, and the colorful map. Thank you so much for Merryspring.
My friend and I enjoyed very much several hours of walking around the gardens, then sitting in the gazebo and chatting while I worked on an embroidery project. It was cool, quiet and quite restful.
Thank you for providing such a nice space!