Beaver Dam Trail

Beaver Dam Trail leads through the bottomland hardwood forest of Percy Quin State Park to a series of active beaver ponds created by a thriving beaver colony that has been engineering this portion of the park for many years. The beaver ponds and associated flooded forest represent a dramatic example of how a single keystone species can transform a landscape, converting what was previously flowing stream habitat into a complex of open water ponds, mudflats, and flooded forest snags. The standing dead trees created by the flooding are heavily used by woodpeckers, including pileated and red-bellied woodpeckers, and the cavities they create are subsequently used by wood ducks, hooded mergansers, and various owl species. Great blue herons and great egrets stalk fish in the shallow pond margins while green herons crouch in the overhanging vegetation. The beaver dams themselves are remarkable feats of animal engineering, constructed from branches, mud, and leaf litter in a design that has resisted flooding for years. Visitors who arrive quietly in early morning have an excellent chance of observing beavers actively working on their structures or swimming across the pond surface. The $4 vehicle fee applies. The flat terrain and short distance make this trail suitable for visitors of all ages and fitness levels. Insect repellent is advisable during summer months near the pond margins.