The Kennebec Explorer 2018 Visitor's Guide to Maine's Kennebec Valley | Page 53

Maine’s public lands are a genuine
wonder. Time spent in any of these
glorious places will help you to under-
stand one of the important reasons
behind calling this guide the Explorer.
Taken as a whole, all the public lands
and places in Maine can seem over-
whelming because there are so many
to choose from. But individually, each
is a beautiful green place filled with
undisturbed and protected nature
just waiting to be explored.
Our own ‘Great Outdoors’ places
The Kennebec Valley has a pretty fair
share of these places and we welcome
you to come spend time here. From
places like the highly remote and
jaw-droppingly pretty Seboomook,
which is public reserved land up in the
Maine Woods; to the more accessible
Kennebec Highlands, which are easier
to get to and offer vistas of the Belgrade
Lakes that are no less spectacular.
Live like an explorer
These are places meant to be hiked and
paddled; they are ideal for birding or
even deep contemplation. You’ll often
spot wildlife and have excellent oppor-
tunities to take pictures. It’s these kinds
of “off the beaten trail” locales where
you can get a taste of what it’s really like
to be an Explorer.
Wood Pond, Jackman ©Dan Marquis
Visit and repeat
So find a map and look up these places,
then just go. Take it all in. If what you
see isn’t what you had anticipated, pick
another spot and check that out.
Dead River Public Reserve Land
Includes the north shore of man-made
Flagstaff Lake and several miles of The
Dead River. Anglers and bald eagles
both enjoy fishing in The Big Eddy. This
site also offers great vehicle-accessible
camping and paddling.
Bigelow Preserve Public Reserved Land
Hike the Bigelow Range along the
Appalachian Trail or paddle part of
the Northern Forest Canoe Trail on
Flagstaff Lake. A gem to visit when
foliage is changing.
Holeb Public Reserved Land
Ideal for paddling and wildlife watching,
home to the Maine Bow Trip, a multi-
day looped trip with one portage and
excellent campsites. Great hikes include
Sally and Burnt Jackson Mountains.
Kennebec Highlands Public
Reserved Land
Hike McGaffey Mountain (the tallest
in Kennebec County), Round Top, and
Sanders for unmatched views of the
Belgrade Lakes.
Cold Stream Conservation Land
This primeval and recently protected
land near The Forks provides shelter
to large populations of native wild
brook trout and white-tailed deer,
while Canada lynx prowl beneath
the forest canopy.
Seboomook Lake Public Reserved Land
A remotely located spot that offers
unfettered access to fishing, paddling,
white water, and backcountry camping
in a pristine Maine Woods location.
VISITOR RESOURCES:
Maine Bureau of Parks & Land –
ParksandLands.com
Natural Resources Council of Maine –
NRCM.org
Registered Maine Guides – MaineGuides.org
French Mountain view of the Belgrade Lakes
For more visit KennebecValley.org
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