explore our great outdoors
Maine’s Kennebec Valley is home to endless acres of Preserves and Public Reserved Lands, in addtion to a wide variety of Land Trusts. These places are focused on conservation of the natural resources that make an adventure in Maine extraordinary.
Preserves and Public Reserved Lands (PRL)
The Kennebec Valley has its fair share of these unspoiled places. From the remote and jaw-droppingly majestic Holeb Public Reserved Lands to the more accessible Kennebec Highlands, whose trails offer awe-inspiring vistas of the Belgrade Lakes.
These are places ideal for hiking, paddling, birding, fishing, or reconnecting to nature. Each offers a chance to spot local wildlife and endless opportunities to capture an image of their boundless natural splendor. These are the “off the beaten trail” locales where visitors will discover what it means to be a Kennebec Valley Explorer.
7 Lakes Alliance TrailS
In and around the Belgrade Lakes this system is made up of French Mountain Trail, Mount Phillip Trail, Round Top Trail, Sanders Hill Trail, The Mountain Trail, The “A” Trail (McGaffey Mountain), and Fogg Island Trail to make preserved lands accessible to people of all ages.
Cold Stream Forest
The Trust for Public Land conserves the 8,159-acre Cold Stream Forest in Somerset County, Maine, protecting seven state heritage brook trout ponds, 15 miles of intact trout stream, and 3,000 acres of deer-wintering area. The area also offers opportunities for outdoor recreation.
Holeb PRL
In and around the Belgrade Lakes this system is made up of French Mountain Trail, Mount Phillip Trail, Round Top Trail, Sanders Hill Trail, The Mountain Trail, The “A” Trail (McGaffey Mountain), and Fogg Island Trail to make preserved lands accessible to people of all ages.
Dead River PRL
This unit includes the north shore of Flagstaff Lake and several miles of the Dead River. Anglers enjoy fishing in The Big Eddy. Drive-in camping, horseback riding, mountain biking, cross-country skiing, canoeing, fishing, hunting, and paddling are available.
the kennebec land trust
The Kennebec Land Trust currently preserves and maintains nearly 50 properties—and growing—located within 21 towns across Kennebec County, offering a wide range of educational and recreation opportunities. Visit their website for a complete list of locations.
Bigelow Preserve PRL
The Bigelow Range borders Somerset County. Hike along a section of the Appalachian Trail or paddle across Flagstaff Lake. This unit is a gem to visit when foliage is changing and is also part of the Northern Forest Canoe Trail that extends through Maine to Quebec.
Kennebec Highlands PRL
From the highest points in this 6,400-acre expanse of wooded hills and wetlands just north of Augusta, one can see to the White Mountains, Mt. Katahdin, and the Camden Hills. Closer in are the Belgrade Lakes and vast stretches of contiguous forest land dotted with an occasional blueberry field, marsh, or stream.
seboomook Lake PRL
With its remote location, Seboomook offers unfettered access to paddling, fishing, and backcountry camping in a pristine Maine Woods location. The 41,436 acres surround Canada Falls and Seboomook Lake with recreational fishing opportunities for wild brook trout and landlocked salmon.
Moose River #5 Bog
This preserve encompasses thousands of acres of beautiful forests, frontage along the Moose River, and the #5 Bog—the only large intermontane peatland in the northeastern United States, and it is designated as a National Natural Landmark by the U.S. National Parks Service.
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