Northeast Wilderness Trust (NEWT) preserves and sanctuaries are open to the public for quiet exploration and enjoyment. We welcome you to visit and experience wild Nature.

Permitted activities are limited to those that are compatible with our mission to “Conserve Forever-Wild Landscapes for Nature and People.” Wild places are rare across the Northeast, and in that context, we prioritize the needs of local birds, mammals, plants, fish, and other wild residents over human visitors on our preserves and sanctuaries. This management complements the broader landscape, the vast majority of which is managed primarily for people.

For this reason, educational, cultural, scientific, and recreational uses are carefully weighed against their impacts on habitat security, wildlife mobility, and overall quality of life for the wild creatures who call these places home.

Please respect these guidelines when visiting a NEWT preserve or sanctuary by showing consideration to the wildlife and plants who live there, as well as to other visitors and neighbors.

Preserve v. Sanctuary

Some NEWT lands are labeled and managed as “preserves” (i.e. Woodbury Mountain Wilderness Preserve), while others are labeled and managed as “sanctuaries.” Generally, fishing and hunting of abundant prey species by permission is permitted on NEWT preserves, while fishing and hunting of any kind is prohibited on NEWT sanctuaries. See below for more information and for several exceptions. Trapping, predator hunting, and hounding are prohibited on all NEWT properties.

Permitted Activities

Visitors assume all liability and responsibility for all their actions and inactions while on NEWT property.

Some exceptions apply, as are noted below—please refer to specific preserve and sanctuary guidelines at www.newildernesstrust.org/places.

Walking, Snowshoeing, & Cross-Country Skiing

Quiet, muscle-powered exploration slows our enjoyment of wilderness to Nature’s pace. This kind of recreation helps preserve landscapes in a relatively untrammeled state—where wildlife and the land is not deprived of freedom of action or expression. It is consistent with the ethic of protecting Nature for Nature’s sake. Please stay on trails where feasible. When exploring off-trail, take care to minimize your impact.

Wildlife Observation & Nature Study

Forever-wild places are those where Nature unfolds on her own terms. Quiet and reverent wildlife observation, birding, tracking, plant and mushroom identification, and other naturalist activities that leave the land as it was found are welcomed on NEWT preserves.

Meditation, Writing, Photography, & Contemplative, Cultural, or Religious Practice

Forever-wild lands are well-suited for creative modalities that do not harm the creatures or land. Writing, nature journaling, sketching, photographing, meditating, or simply sitting to listen to the music of a waterfall or the wind in the trees are all welcomed on NEWT preserves. NEWT welcomes cultural practices and religious ceremonies on our lands which are consistent with the other guidelines herein.

Swimming, Paddling, & Non-Motorized Boating

Several water bodies are accessible from preserves—swimming and paddling are welcome, though NEWT does not maintain access. Swimming and boats are prohibited at the Muddy Pond Wilderness Preserve in Kingston, MA.

Dogs

At this time, dogs are generally allowed on NEWT lands but must be under voice or leash control at all times. Please pick up after your dog. Trained, certified service animals are always allowed. Dogs are never allowed on the Alder Stream Wilderness Preserve in Atkinson, ME.

Fishing

Fishing in accordance with the rules listed below is generally allowed on NEWT preserves, though permission is required to fish the Alder Stream Wilderness Preserve in Atkinson, ME. Fishing is not permitted at the Eagle Mountain Wilderness Preserve in Chesterfield, NY, the Muddy Pond Wilderness Preserve in Kingston, MA, and on all NEWT sanctuaries.

Nontoxic and lead-free lures and sinkers are required for all fishing. Artificial hard lures only, no live or dead organic bait of any kind, and no soft plastic lures. Barbless hooks only. Barbed hooks must be pinched before being attached to a fishing line. No chumming, chunking, advanced baiting, or use of fish traps or bait traps allowed. Structures, such as ice-fishing shanties, are not permitted.

Cutting of vegetation or trees for any reason is prohibited. Anglers found to have cleared vegetation or trails will be expected to reimburse NEWT for the value of the trees cut at landscape appraisal rates.

No commercial angling or guide services. Anglers agree to always conduct themselves in a safe, legal, and ethical way.

Leave No Trace

For all permitted activities on NEWT lands, please follow “Leave No Trace” principles, including Leave What You Find, Respect Wildlife, Travel on Durable Surfaces, and Be Considerate of Others (both human and non-human!).

Prohibited Activities

Some exceptions apply, as are noted below—please refer to specific preserve and sanctuary guidelines at www.newildernesstrust.org/places.

Motorized Vehicles

All motorized vehicles, including ATVs, dirt bikes, 4x4s, and snowmobiles, are prohibited. Exceptions include the use of motorized vehicles in emergencies and on specific trails on certain preserves.

Bicycles & Wheeled or Mechanized Vehicles

All bicycles, including e-bikes, and any other types of wheeled or mechanized vehicles are prohibited. Trails on NEWT lands are not designed or maintained for bicycles and wheeled vehicles, which can negatively impact soils and important mycelial networks and critters hidden underground.

Trapping, Predator Hunting, & Hounding

Trapping, predator hunting, and hounding are prohibited. Several NEWT preserves allow hunting of prey species with a free permit; learn more at www.newildernesstrust.org/hunting.

Horses & Pack Animals

Horses and pack animals are prohibited on all NEWT preserves.

Camping & Fires

All NEWT lands are day-use only. Camping, fires, and fireworks are prohibited. Please pack out all trash.

Rock Climbing

Rock and ice climbing and bouldering are prohibited.

Cutting or Damaging Vegetation

Cutting or damaging plants or trees is prohibited, as is any unauthorized trail maintenance, including glading and the construction of new trails.

Drones, Trail Cameras, & Similar Devices

Launching or landing unmanned aerial vehicles, drones, radio-controlled model airplanes, or any equipment of this type is prohibited on NEWT preserves. Trail-camera use by the public is prohibited. Loud music and radios are also prohibited. NEWT may approve limited operation of unmanned aerial systems or trail cams for purposes such as scientific research or authorized photography. For more information, please contact our Stewardship Director at stewardship@newildernesstrust.org.

Activities by Permission

Hunting

Hunting of abundant prey species is allowed on certain NEWT preserves with an annual free permit. (Hunting of any kind is prohibited on NEWT sanctuaries.) Large predators are missing from  Northeast ecosystems, and without them, populations of prey animals grow unchecked. Over-browsing by excessive herbivore population can damage plant communities, the soil, and other natural processes. In wilderness areas, human hunters can fill the role of the predator in the ecosystem by hunting prey species that are abundant (or over-abundant) in the region. Commercial hunting and guiding is not permitted. For more information, visit newildernesstrust.org/hunting.

Research & Scientific Study

In recognition of the prominent role scientific principles play in NEWT’s conservation ethos, several NEWT preserves host ongoing research projects. These projects help to inform future conservation decisions. If you are interested in conducting research on NEWT lands or collecting plant or mineral material for scientific study, please contact the Wildlands Ecology Director at ecology@newildernesstrust.org. 

Educational Programming & Field Trips

Group outings to NEWT lands for educational purposes are allowed by permission. Please contact our Stewardship Director at stewardship@newildernesstrust.org with inquiries.

Cases-by-Case Uses

Motorized Recreation

On select NEWT preserves, existing motorized trails predate our ownership. While NEWT generally closes and rewilds motorized trails, some have local importance and are key connectors that help sustain rural businesses and traditions. On a case-by-case basis, NEWT works with local clubs to allow such trails to be maintained.

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NORTHEAST WILDERNESS TRUST
17 STATE STREET, SUITE 302
MONTPELIER, VT 05602

802.224.1000

© The Northeast Wilderness Trust 2024    TERMS OF USE    PRIVACY POLICY

Learn more about our Green Guarantee.

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A one over a two, meaning one half.
Logo for the Global Rewilding Alliance.
A platinum Seal of Transparency.