ATV Riding

Across northern Maine, riding an ATV in Aroostook County means exploring an interconnected network of more than 1,300 miles of authorized trails maintained by local volunteer clubs. The spine of this system rests on abandoned railroad corridors preserved through programs like Land for Maine's Future and managed by the Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands Off Road Vehicle Program. The 28-mile Aroostook Valley Trail winds along the Aroostook River through potato fields and forests, connecting Presque Isle, Washburn, Woodland, Caribou, and New Sweden. In Washburn, it intersects the 61-mile crushed-rock corridor of the Bangor and Aroostook Trail, which stretches through remote bogs, forests, and wetlands with frequent moose sightings as it links Mapleton, Washburn, Caribou, Stockholm, and Van Buren. Further south, the 38.8-mile Southern Bangor and Aroostook Trail connects Houlton north toward Phair Junction and Presque Isle, passing through communities such as Monticello, Bridgewater, and Mars Hill, while crossing historic railroad trestles that serve as scenic river landmarks.

Staging a ride is straightforward thanks to designated public parking areas across the region. Riders can trailer vehicles and start out from the Ashland Recreation Center at 40 Oak Street, the Washburn Clubhouse along Route 164, the Otter Brook Parking Area at 10 Otter Street in Caribou, or between the Aroostook Centre Mall and Lowe's at 830 Main Street in Presque Isle. Additional access points include Station Street in Portage Lake, Walker Settlement Road in Island Falls, North Street in Houlton, and Lonesome Pine Trails at 2 Forest Avenue in Fort Kent. From these hubs, riders reach scenic vistas like the fire tower atop Peekaboo Mountain overlooking East Grand Lake, the Cyr Cove Overlook above Long Lake, the trails around Arnold Brook Lake Recreation Area, and the rugged terrain along the Saint John River between Fort Kent and Allagash. Private landowner Irving Woodlands has also established cooperative agreements with clubs to route trails through working forestlands.

The maintenance of this vast network depends on dedicated local clubs and strong community support. In southern Aroostook, the Aroostook Riders ATV Club oversees routes across towns including Houlton, Linneus, Hodgdon, and Monticello, while the Island Falls Free-Wheelers ATV Club maintains over 100 miles of trails. Farther north, the Big 13 ATV Club manages routes around Mars Hill, the Star City ATV Club cares for 63 miles of trails and replaces bridges over waterways like Merritt Brook, the Aroostook Valley ATV Club covers central communities, the Allagash ATV Riders serve northwestern towns, and the Madawaska Valley ATVenture Club oversees 58 miles. This vibrant trail culture brings the region together through events like Caribou's Full Throttle ATV Fair and Maine Potato Blossom festival mud runs at Spud Speedway, charity benefit rides from the Caribou VFW and Mars Hill's BigRock Mountain, and Presque Isle's three-day Star City Ultimate ATV Event with its police-escorted downtown ATV parade.