Great Heath Preserve

Description and Access

Downeast Salmon Federation’s Great Heath Preserve consists of four parcels of conserved land along the scenic Pleasant River in Columbia, Maine.

This preserve is only accessible by canoe or kayak from the Pleasant River, and the four parcels are separate from each other and unmarked with other privately-owned land in between.

View of the Great Heath from a kayak

For boaters, this stretch of the Pleasant River running through the Great Heath, is quite unique with the river winding lazily through the heath and banks cut into the clay and peat. The Great Heath is huge and diverse, and it is rich with waterfowl and unique flora – including Jacob’s Ladder, a plant native to North America.

There are no signs, amenities or facilities at these properties, and visitors should practice the “Pack-It-In, Pack-It-Out” policy while visiting this preserve.