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Mayor Baxter Woods
4.6 ★★★★★ 211 Google reviews · Running trail in Portland, Maine · Dawn to dusk
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Natural surface
- Distance
- 100 mi
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Dawn to dusk
Confirmed from Mayor Baxter Woods' 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.
Pine forested, dog-friendly park offering shaded trails for walking, running & cycling.
What runners say about Mayor Baxter Woods
“A beautiful walking area especially during the fall when we visited.”
“It was well trafficked with lots of dogs, and while it was located in a sort of residential neighborhood, it was quiet and peaceful to walk through.”
“You'll see several dogs and friendly owners throughout the many trails and clearings, but it's a great place for anyone to take a short stroll with or without a dog.”
Baxter Woods is one of my favorite places in Portland. It's a relatively quiet off-leash dog park, one that places more emphasis on the park than the dogs. You'll see several dogs and friendly owners throughout the many trails and clearings, but it's a great place for anyone to take a short stroll with or without a…
Great little walk! Dog and I needed to hide from the heat and this did the trick. We were hoping for a creek, but they were all dried up. Dogs are allowed year-round at the park but they have a variable leash law depending on time of the year.
Pretty maintained woods with native Maine trees. While not a large park, it has lots of trails and is very dog friendly.
Nice trails to walk through. However it's not the best place for me to bring my 7 month pointer-pit mix. It maybe my fault she isn't better trained on this but she takes off running after squirrels and birds. Takes forever to get her back and I get nervous for her because of the eventual roads she could run into.
Trail conditions & character
“It was well trafficked with lots of dogs, and while it was located in a sort of residential neighborhood, it was quiet and peaceful to walk through.”
“It was well trafficked with lots of dogs, and while it was located in a sort of residential neighborhood, it was quiet and peaceful to walk through.”
Plan your run at Mayor Baxter Woods
The practical stuff
- AccessDawn to dusk — the gates close, so do not plan a run that finishes after dark
- SurfaceNatural surface — easiest on the joints and the most fun, but expect roots, rocks and mud after rain
- Distance100 mi as reported — check whether that is one way or a round trip before you commit. Long enough for a real long run.
- 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.
- Stroller / wheelchairReported as smooth and step-free enough for a running stroller or a chair.
- Trail mapOfficial trail map
- Websitetrails.org
- Social Instagram · Facebook
Hours
| Monday | 6:30 am–10 pm |
| Tuesday | 6:30 am–10 pm |
| Wednesday | 6:30 am–10 pm |
| Thursday | 6:30 am–10 pm |
| Friday | 6:30 am–10 pm |
| Saturday | 6:30 am–10 pm |
| Sunday | 6:30 am–10 pm |
Running trails near Portland
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
Fore River Sanctuary
4.7 ★★★★★ 231 reviews
Tranquil hiking trail with a waterfall winding through woods, marsh and bridges.
Back Cove Park
4.5 ★★★★★ 169 reviews
Large park featuring a 3.5-mile, waterfront loop trail for jogging & biking, plus open green space.