The Kennebec Explorer 2020 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 its fair share
of these places, and we welcome you to
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
opportunities 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.
French Mountain, Belgrade Lakes
Visit and repeat
So find a map and lookup 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 ancient 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
With its remote location, Seboomook
offers unfettered access to paddling,
fishing, and backcountry camping in a
pristine Maine Woods location.
VISITOR RESOURCES:
Maine Bureau of Parks & Lands –
ParksandLands.com
Natural Resources Council of Maine –
NRCM.org
Registered Maine Guides – MaineGuides.org
Bog bridges along the Holeb Carry
For more visit KennebecValley.org
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