What to See: Plants and Animals
The abundance of cliff-dwelling plant communities, diversity of ferns and primitive non-flowering plants are stunning. Hay-scented fern, Forbe's saxifrage, rock selaginella, and bulblet fern climb the cliffs. In the bottoms and ravines of the canyon are forest stands of American beech, basswood, sugar maple, and black walnut. Spring ephemerals beneath their canopy include Dutchman's breeches, trout lily, blue-eyed Mary, wood poppy and wood nettle. On the canyon's upper edge, a mix of white pines and oaks make the canopy that shade Canada blueberry, frostweed, wild-sarsparilla, witch hazel, serviceberry, partridgeberry, and wintergreen. Gorgeous flowering dogwoods under these oaks promise branches of late-season fruit, guaranteeing the arrival of fall migrant birds. In the open oak woodlands of Portland Arch, look for even more wildflowers such as shooting star, yellow lady's slipper, New Jersey tea, American hazelnut, purple milkweed, showy goldenrod, and many more savanna species.
There is a trail located on the moderate to rugged terrain of the preserve.
For More Information
Division of Nature Preserves
