Aust Family Preserve at Lime Rock

Visit

• Parking

  Parking for the Aust Family Preserve is limited. There are three spaces in the gravel lot at the trailhead and approximately six spaces along the shoulder of Wilbur Road. Please observe the signs that govern street parking in this area. If parking is not available when you visit, consider visiting the Moshassuck River Preserve, five minutes away by car. Other nearby options include Lincoln Woods State Park and Chase Farm Park. 

• Trails

  A trailhead kiosk greets visitors with an introduction to the preserve and its 3-mile trail system. Just past the kiosk, you'll come to a trail junction, with the Railway Trail going straight and the Moshassuck Trail going up the hill to the right.  

  The Railway Trail (yellow) runs beside and slightly above the bed of abandoned electric trolley line. The old railbed is often flooded and now provides spring breeding habitat for amphibians. (0.4 miles)

  The Pond Loop (yellow) starts where the trail crosses over to the railbead itself. It provides a bird's-eye view through the trees, as the forest floor drops away steeply on both sides. The trail loops around Manton Pond to a wide, earthen dam. (0.9 miles)

  The Moshassuck Loop (blue) explores the southern half of the preserve. The Moshassuck River is visible through the woods, especially in winter. Part of the trail follows a wide, old cart path, which recalls the area's agricultural past. (0.8 miles)

  The Moshassuck Trail returns to the parking area, passing a vernal pool that rings with "quacking" wood frogs in early spring. (0.2 miles)

  The trail system passes within sight of several homes. Please respect our neighbors' property. 

• What to See

  Surrounded by suburban development, the Aust Family Preserve provides a wooded sanctuary for people and nature. 

  Plants: Throughout this hardwood forest, you'll find a mix of trees that are unusual for Rhode Island. Sugar maples and red oaks thrive in the damp, calcium-rich soils. In the understory, look for American hornbeam, also known as musclewood for its sinewy, twisting trunks and branches. Christmas fern is abundant, along with spring wildflowers like wild geranium and dwarf ginseng.

  Birds: The Aust Family Preserve is an important stopover site for many songbirds during spring migration. Scarlet tanagers, rose-breasted grosbeaks and many warblers rely on the preserve to rest and refuel. Many other birds are year-round residents or summer nesters, including pileated woodpeckers, wood ducks and tree swallows.

  Animals: The preserve's streams and wetlands provide habitat for frogs and salamanders. Common woodland mammals in the area include white-tailed deer, Eastern coyote, striped skunk, and raccoon. If you're lucky (and quiet), you may find a red fox sharing the trail with you.

• Preserve Guidelines

  We hope you enjoy visiting TNC's  preserves in any season. We ask that you please observe the following guidelines:

  • Stay on marked trails.
    
  • Dogs are permitted but must be leashed at all times. 
  • Respect preserve hours (one hour before sunrise to one hour after sunset). Overnight camping is not allowed.
  • Do not ride horses, bikes or any motorized vehicle through preserves or on the trails.
  • Do not remove any living materials from a preserve or disturb any vegetation.
    
  • Remove any trash you create and, if possible, any garbage that you see left by someone else.
  • In the spring, summer and fall, dress in long pants and socks to avoid deer ticks. After any walk on a preserve, it is a good idea to check for ticks when you return home.
  • Be careful! Your safety is your responsibility.