Discover Our Sanctuary
Trails, Nature’s Playground & Map
Earthplace maintains a 62-acre wildlife sanctuary, the largest open space area in Westport, with a variety of habitats including fields, forests, ponds, and a stream. The sanctuary is crisscrossed by about two miles of trails and features Nature’s Playground.
Downloadable Trail Map
We encourage visitors to explore and enjoy our trails while keeping in mind some simple guidelines
- The grounds are open from dawn to dusk.
- No bikes, for your own safety and that of our visitors.
- No dogs. Earthplace is a wildlife sanctuary.
- Children must be supervised by an adult at all times.
- Do not disturb anything that is living.
- Stay away from the water’s edge.
- Stay on trails/platforms.
- Please use trash cans and recycling bins for waste disposal.
- Campfires may only be built as part of an Earthplace program.
- Smoking is not permitted on Earthplace property.
To report any concerns while on the trail, please call Earthplace during business hours at
203-557-4400. Disturbances outside of business hours should be reported to the Westport Police at 203-341-6000. For emergencies call 911.
Our Trails
Meadow Grass Trail
A universal design nature trail fully accessible to individuals in wheelchairs or walkers, those with strollers, or anyone looking for a flat, easy walk. The trail follows the edge where forest and field meet, an excellent habitat for many species of insects, birds, and mammals.
Swamp Loop Trail
This trail will take you about 30 minutes and is the best for viewing spring and summer wildflowers. The trail winds past a swamp, a freshwater stream, a pond, and deciduous woodlands. Hunt for letterboxes along the trail.
High Woods Trail
This trail is approximately 20 minutes and travels through open fields and mixed hardwood forests. Watch for birds and mammals along the edge of the field. This is the best trail for fall hawk watching.
Newman-Woodward Trail
This trail will take you about 20 minutes to complete. The Newman-Woodward trail winds through an oak and beech forest with high leaf canopy and silvery trunks. Stone walls and cedar stumps dot the forest, remnants of the days when this was a farm field.
Eloise A Ray Trail
This 20-minute trail was once an old farmstead, but this piece of town property has been reclaimed by locust trees and shrubs. The ample fruits and cover of the shrubs make it a good trail for bird watching.
Wadsworth Trail
This trail will take about 15 minutes and follows the rim of a wetland depressions. The standing water is host to many amphibians in the spring. This is a good trail for ferns and some wildflowers.
What to do on the trails
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There is a lot to discover while on the trails!
Snowshoes – On snowy winter days you can rent snowshoes from us for enjoyment on the trails. $10/hr, we do accept reservations however they are not required. We only have 3 pairs available for rent.
Letterboxes – Click here and download the instructions. Follow the clues to discover the five hidden letterboxes along the Swamp Loop Trail.
*StoryWalk on the Meadow Grass Trail – Our StoryWalk® installation offers you and your child the opportunity to read a story page-by-page as you stroll! The stories change every few months.
Word Hunting on the Newman Woodward Trail – Learn how to use a compass, download the instructions here.
*The StoryWalk® Project was created by Anne Ferguson of Montpelier, VT and developed in collaboration with the Kellogg-Hubbard Library. StoryWalk® is a registered service mark owned by Ms. Ferguson.
