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David Rancourt River Preserve

4.6 ★★★★★ 103 Google reviews · Running trail in Lewiston, Maine · Hours vary

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Natural surface
Loop distance
Not reported
Shape
Loop
Shade
Not reported
Access
Not reported

Confirmed from David Rancourt River Preserve's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.

Natural surfaceLoopScenicDog-friendlyQuiet

Trail-covered and wooded area featuring beaches, a scenic overlook and river views.

What runners say about David Rancourt River Preserve

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (103 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

well-maintained 5 mentions

“It’s a decent place to go for a nature walk, but it would be a lot better if they would clean the trails up in the fall months because it makes it hard to use a stroller”

🏞️ beautiful scenery 16 mentions

“The overlook of the river is beautiful and there is a beachy spot where canoes can be launched if you are spunky enough to port the canoe that far.”

🪧 well-marked 2 mentions

“The trails are very well marked.”

🌾 quiet & peaceful 6 mentions

“This is a very pretty and fairly serene walk along the Androscoggin River and also has a few trails through the woods.”

Don’t sleep on this short loop ! Beautiful scenery. A few sandy beach areas, and a scenic overlook at the top of the trail which is fantastic. It’s a dirt trail that traverses through the trees, very enjoyable, could spend hours here. The scenic overlook would probably make for a great sunset view.

★★★★★ — Fred , Apr 2023

This is a very pretty and fairly serene walk along the Androscoggin River and also has a few trails through the woods. Has a bit of rough terrain with a lot of tree roots, but very manageable.

★★★★★ — Pamela , Oct 2023

Great trails, beautiful river views. So quiet you can enjoy the roar of the rapids. A couple of small pretty beaches.

★★★★☆ — Paul , Sep 2019

This is a lovely little spot by the river, a bit of beauty in a tired part of Lewiston. The trails are clearly marked. The overlook of the river is beautiful and there is a beachy spot where canoes can be launched if you are spunky enough to port the canoe that far.

★★★★☆ — Stephen , May 2021

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 103 reviews →

Trail conditions & character

What this trail is actually like underfoot and overhead, taken from its own listing and from reviews. Each one links to every other trail with the same character. Busy or quiet is reported as a plain fact, not a plus or a minus — a runner heading out alone at dawn often wants company on the path, and someone running intervals wants an empty one.

🏞️ Scenic views 26 mentions

“The overlook of the river is beautiful and there is a beachy spot where canoes can be launched if you are spunky enough to port the canoe that far.”

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🤫 Quiet / uncrowded 6 mentions

“This is a very pretty and fairly serene walk along the Androscoggin River and also has a few trails through the woods.”

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🐕 Dog-friendly 4 mentions

“Not very long but you can go around 2 or 3 times and get a good workout for human and dog.”

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🔁 Loop trail 3 mentions

“great loop trail along the river.”

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🌲 Natural surface / singletrack 2 mentions

“It’s a dirt trail that traverses through the trees, very enjoyable, could spend hours here.”

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Plan your run at David Rancourt River Preserve

The practical stuff

  • AccessHours vary — hours are not posted for this trail, so check before an early or late run
  • SurfaceNatural surface — easiest on the joints and the most fun, but expect roots, rocks and mud after rain
  • DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
  • ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
  • DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
  • Trail mapOfficial trail map
  • Websiteandroscogginlandtrust.org
  • Phone+1 207-782-2302
  • Social Instagram

Where to find David Rancourt River Preserve

David Rancourt Preserve, Lewiston, ME 04240

Get directions

Running trails near Lewiston

Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.

Androscoggin Riverside Trail Trailhead

4.6 ★★★★★ 44 reviews

Lewiston, ME

PavedScenic

under a mile away

Mount David Trailhead

4.1 ★★★★☆ 7 reviews

Lewiston, ME

1.2 miles away

Sunnyside Park

4.3 ★★★★☆ 188 reviews

Lewiston, ME

MixedLitScenic

Kid-friendly park featuring walking and bike trails along with a playground.

1.3 miles away

Thorncrag Bird Sanctuary

4.7 ★★★★★ 570 reviews

Lewiston, ME

LoopNatural surfaceScenicDog-friendly

Hiking trails, various bird species & a stone fire pit in a nature preserve with woods & meadows.

1.9 miles away

Garcelon Bog Conservation Area

4.7 ★★★★★ 3 reviews

Lewiston, ME

2.2 miles away

Auburn Riverwalk

4.5 ★★★★★ 48 reviews

Auburn, ME

Scenic

Park offering a trail with scenic views and ducks.

2.4 miles away

All running trails in Lewiston, ME →

Nearby towns

Listing verified July 2026 from public records, the trail's own website and runner reviews. Trail conditions change — paths flood, gates close at dusk, and shaded woods stay muddy for days after rain. Something out of date? Report a correction. Manage this trail? Send us the details — it is free.