Public Use Guidelines for USVLT Owned Property

Click HERE for the equipment use request form.

Click HERE for the event request form.

General Principles

USVLT’s preserves are open to the public for traditional, low impact outdoor recreational uses that recognize the importance of protecting wildlife habitats, farmlands, scenic enjoyment, and cultural values of the Upper Saco River Valley. These preserves are designed to be enjoyed by the public for generations to come. However, USVLT recognizes that some forms of recreation can have a significant impact on the land, wildlife and experience of other users.

To minimize the degradation of the land, and to ensure that the land can be open to all people, USVLT has established the following guidelines:

While this policy generally applies to all USVLT fee-owned lands, some properties may have additional restrictions based on the donor’s requests, funding requirements, deed restrictions or specific management goals and objective for that property.

Visitors to USVLT preserves assume all risk of their actions and experience on the property. USVLT is not liable for injuries or other harm that occur on property or in relation to visitation.

Hours of Use

Preserves are open to the public visitation during all hours. Overnight use is prohibited.

Camping/Fires

USVLT does not permit camping or fires on any of its properties. USVLT does not permit other flammable recreation such as fireworks or explosives.

Pedestrian Recreation

Pedestrian uses such as walking, hiking, running, cross country skiing, snowshoeing and wildlife viewing are allowed on all USVLT lands. No new trails may be constructed on USVLT lands without prior written prior written approval of USVLT.

Preserves with trails

Dogs

Dogs are generally allowed on USVLT properties on leash or under strict voice control. Dogs must always be within the eyesight of owners. These restrictions are made with consideration towards the protection of wildlife and consideration of other recreational users of the land. Further restrictions may apply should these regulations not be respected, or should canine presence cause severe disruption of wildlife and/or user-group conflicts.

All dog waste must be removed from the property upon leaving.

Horses

Horses are not typically allowed on designated trails and woods roads. They are not permitted to be used off-trail. Restrictions may apply to certain trails during mud season or times where the soil is otherwise unstable. Further trail restrictions may apply should use of trails cause degradation of the land’s natural resources or if their presence causes user-group conflicts. No new trails may be constructed without prior written prior written approval of USVLT.

All horse waste must be removed from the property.

There are currently no trails on USVLT preserves that permit horses.

Rock and Ice Climbing

Rock and ice climbing are permitted on USVLT property. Restrictions may apply to certain trails or climbing routes during mud season or times where the soil is otherwise unstable. Further trail restrictions may apply should use of trails cause degradation of the land’s natural resources or if their presence causes user-group conflicts. No new trails or climbing routes may be constructed without prior written approval of USVLT. No bolts may be placed on USVLT preserves without prior written prior written approval of USVLT. All gear must leave the site with the climber.

There are currently no USVLT preserves that have ice or rock-climbing routes.

Bikes

Non-Motorized bicycles are allowed on designated trails and woods roads. They are not permitted to be used off-trail. Restrictions may apply to certain trails during mud season or times where the soil is otherwise unstable. Further trail restrictions may apply should use of trails cause degradation of the land’s natural resources or if their presence causes user-group conflicts. No new trails may be constructed without prior written approval of USVLT.

Motorized e-bikes are not permitted on USVLT property due to increased levels of erosion and risk surrounding wildlife and habitats.

Backcountry Skiing

Back country skiing is permitted on USVLT owned properties. Trail restrictions may apply should use of trails cause degradation of the land’s natural resources or if their presence causes user-group conflicts. No new trails may be constructed without prior written prior written approval of USVLT.

Preserves with Downhill Backcountry Ski Trails

Preserves with Cross Country Ski Trails

Snowmobiles

Snowmobiles are permitted on designated trails and woods roads of certain properties. They are not permitted to be used off-trail. Further trail restrictions may apply should use of trails cause degradation of the land’s natural resources or if their presence causes user-group conflicts. No new trails may be constructed without prior written approval of USVLT.

Preserves with Snowmobile Trails

ATVs

ATVs are not permitted on USVLT properties in order to protect soil stability and wildlife habitat.

Boating

Motorized boats are permitted on certain USVLT properties. Non-motorized boating including canoeing, kayaking and paddle boarding, are allowed on properties where the water has trail access. Watercraft should be carried from vehicles, which must park in designated parking areas on or outside of USVLT properties. State rules for boating apply for properties that border State controlled waters. Storing of boats on USVLT property is not permitted.

Preserves with non-motorized boating

Preserves with motorized boating

Fishing

Fishing is permitted on bodies of water within USVLT properties with the respective State’s fishing license (i.e. Maine or New Hampshire). Find Maine’s fishing license HERE and New Hampshire’s fishing license HERE. All visitors fishing must abide by Maine and New Hampshire Fish and Game. Nets, traps, video equipment or other tools used for fishing must stay with fishermen at all times. Equipment left or stored on USVLT property will be removed by staff or reported. It is recommended that fishermen research the region and body of water for safety prior to consumption of catch. USVLT is not liable for harm related to fish consumption.

Hunting

Licensed hunting is permitted on USVLT property during state regulated times and regulations which are stated HERE and HERE. All visitors hunting must abide by New Hampshire or Maine state law, depending on the location of the preserve. Additionally, all hunting must be done at least 150 yards from any trail or road.  When on USVLT property during hunting seasons, please be mindful and wear blaze-orange. It is recommended that dogs stay on leash and/or wear blaze orange during hunting season on USVLT properties.

Game camera, permanent tree stand, temporary tree stands left outside of the hunting season, tree markers, and/or use of drones for finding hunted game on a USVLT preserve requires written prior written approval of USVLT. To request approval, complete the appropriate form. Be prepared to answer the requested location for the equipment, a description of the tools and their use, number of tools to be left in the woods and the timeframe with which you plan to leave the equipment there. Unregistered or unauthorized equipment left or stored in the woods will be removed by staff or reported to Maine or New Hampshire for collection.

Hunters are not allowed to impact flora to improve hunting capacity in acts including, but not limited to, cutting branches to improve sight or mobility. Animal remains (ex: gut piles, bones) must be removed, buried or left 150 yards or more from all roads and trails.

Bird dogs under strict voice control are permitted to assist with hunting activities. Dogs used for other forms of hunting (i.e. bear dogs) are not permitted to work on USVLT lands. 

Baiting is not permitted on USVLT property.

Trapping

Following Maine and New Hampshire State Hunting Laws, trapping on USVLT owned properties is not permitted without explicit prior written approval of USVLT, per trap. To obtain authorization to trap, one must complete the Maine or New Hampshire State form and contact info@usvlt.org

Non-Commercial Foraging

Foraging of non-threatened or endangered berries, mushrooms and other herbal or medicinal plants is permitted on USVLT property as long as the following guidelines are respected:

Tapping maple trees on USVLT owned properties is not permitted without explicit prior written approval of USVLT. To request permission for tree tapping on USVLT owned properties, they must complete an event request form and send it to info@usvlt.org

Mining

Mining for minerals is not permitted on USVLT property. Extraction of minerals is not permitted on USVLT property. Mining related activities (i.e. explosives, pick axing, etc.) are not permitted on USVLT property.

Geocaching

Leaving personal property on USVLT owned lands is not typically permitted. However, geocaches are allowed with prior written approval of USVLT. Caches must be discoverable from an established trail and without disturbing habitat, soil or other wildlife. Caches will not be permitted within, on, or beneath cultural resources including, but not limited to: foundations, dams, cemeteries and cellar holes. Caches will not be permitted in sensitive natural areas including, but not limited to: Known sites of rare or threatened species, critical habitat, nesting sites, wetlands, watercourses or shorelines).

Drones

Drone use for commercial purposes is permitted on USVLT property with prior written approval of USVLT. Users must supply their reason and registration ID. Drone usage for non-commercial or hunting purposes is not permitted on USVLT property.

To request permission for drone usage on USVLT owned properties, complete an event request form and send it to info@usvlt.org

Commercial and Event Use

Educational Events

Educational events are permitted on USVLT owned properties. Such events are not permitted to alter landscape, habitat, or wildlife without explicit prior written approval of USVLT. Please be aware and respectful of wildlife and other recreational uses and mindful of potential risks such as fast-moving mountain bikes and hunting and trapping during the appropriate season.

Further restrictions may apply should use of trails cause degradation of the land’s natural resources or if their presence causes user-group conflicts. No new trails may be constructed without prior written approval of USVLT.

To request permission to host educational events on USVLT owned properties, complete an event request form and send it to info@usvlt.org

Scientific Study

Scientific studies are generally permitted on USVLT owned properties if they do not negatively impact habitats or wildlife and are respectful of other recreational users within the space.

To request permission for these activities on USVLT owned properties, complete an event request form and send it to info@usvlt.org

Archaeological Work

Archaeological work is occasionally permitted on USVLT owned properties. Prior to any digging, alteration to land or habitat, or resource/item extraction, interested parties must request prior written approval of USVLT to proceed with archaeological related work.

To request permission to pursue archaeological work on USVLT owned properties, complete an event request form and send it to kshambaugh@usvlt.org

Races

Races may be permitted on USVLT owned properties. Organized races may increase risk of degradation of the land’s natural resources or the potential of their presence causing user-group conflicts. To mitigate risk and conflict, organizers must have prior written approval of USVLT from USVLT.

To request permission to host a race on or through USVLT property, complete an event request form and send it to info@usvlt.org

Large Group Recreation

Group recreation is permitted on USVLT owned properties. Parties exceeding 20 individuals in an organized group may increase risk of degradation of the land’s natural resources or the potential of their presence causing user-group conflicts. To mitigate risk and conflict, organizers must have prior written approval of USVLT from USVLT.

To request organized parties that exceed 20 individuals, complete an event request form and send it to info@usvlt.org