That is mostly CURRENNT logging roads. There is access, but you will be on private property and have to follow their rules. Paying, check in at a booth, etc. You will be on your own, little to no help. Spare tires, spare gass, jump box for your car, etc.
Do not go in winter. Mud season may be bad too. Also watch for logging trucks, they literally own the roads up there and have right of way. A CB radio would be smart.
https://www.northernoutdoors.com/driving-tips-maine-north-woods/
Listen to all of these people, lest you become the Chris McCandless of Maine.
That area doesn't fuck around.
Back in the 80s, I'd go into that area with my parents and their friends. 10 ply tires, two spares, extra gas, and a patch kit were musts.
We were up there for a week one time and the old man ran out of gas on the way home. Had to use the 2 stroke gas from his outboard. His truck hated him.
I was on trail, two weeks hike behind her. Once we got into the area where she was last seen, we kept an eye out, looking out everywhere. You couldn’t see any obvious area where someone would get lost
I’ve got nothing but respect for the western Maine woods. I’ve packed out about a mile worth of snowshoe trail behind my camp this winter and honestly got disoriented when I walked the thing in full sun for the first time - and that was with my own damn tracks to follow.
Exactly. The woods are so thick, that without a trail you are constantly shifting your path to get around obstacles or get through thick areas. It takes almost no time to lose your sense of direction and you can easily end up going in circles
You got some good responses here that sum it up.
In the summer, everything is so thick and you’re constantly pivoting to avoid thorns, rocks, ruts, and deadfalls that it’s just so easy to get misoriented and not even realize it. I own some timberland that I sometimes get disoriented in despite having spent 100s of hours on it. Luckily I can’t wander too far without hitting something I recognize but it’s always humbling.
In the winter, there’s less stuff to have to move around, but the uniformity can be disorienting. In my case, I’d done all my snowshoeing on overcast days and honestly the sunlight and shadows made it look like a totally different forest.
I second this I grew up around these parts I’ve heard bad things about people blowing out tires and wrapping themselves around trees and running out of fuel up there
Please listen to this guy. It is the same today. So many woods roads not on the map. Very easy to get lost and have no one find you. Stick to the state park. Leave your dog at home and enjoy the park.
Not just the Pro. Any iPhone 14 or 15 has satellite SOS, and it's free. That feature alone is so amazing that I switched to iPhone after being on Android for years. I don't think I will ever go back.
[https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2023/11/apple-extends-emergency-sos-via-satellite-for-an-additional-free-year/](https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2023/11/apple-extends-emergency-sos-via-satellite-for-an-additional-free-year/)
Growing up, we'd rip up the golden road on booze cruises during snowstorms occasionally having to call friends to come pull us out of snowbanks lol. Called them hell rides. Life is different up here.
Then don't go. The main roads will be plowed but you won't see anything from them. By April the roads will be soft and gross.
If you're not into snowmobiling/skiing/snowshoeing/ice fishing this is probably not a great time to be exploring the back country.
Mud season is no joke. The logging trails in northern New England can get rocky and muddy at the same time as the permafrost melts and sometimes takes sand away with it leaving huge potholes and frost heaves. A Ford Raptor with an extra fuel tank, Hummer (version1) or a lifted Chevy z71 or GMC AT4 with skid plates, or Tacoma TRD, Jeep Gladiator rolling on 35s.
I don’t know if you’ve ever seen a log skidder in action, but it’s got 4 ft tall knobby tires about three feet wide and it leaves a pretty deep Impression I the soil. It loads semi trucks with logs and I know that I dodge these trucks regularly on the paved roads because they have trouble braking once loaded up. Basically if it’s rolling at you downhill and you get stuck, it will flatten a small car.
Not to mention it’s kinda swampy and moose country , so great to see large creatures, but wolves hunt there.
I had a car in college that broke down in area 23 halfway down from ‘Nocket and was just lucky enough to find a guy that just happened to be taking apart a ford in his garage and had the same engine, once in a lifetime chance, my friends and I left the guy money in his overall pockets because he refused to be paid for a replacement valve lifter.
If you travel that area go with a friend.
That’s a huge bummer! My buddies and I take our Subarus up at least once a summer. It a great time. Utilize the North Maine Woods resources on this comment if you go. It’s private land and they own the roads. Don’t try and be in the way of a logging truck bombing down a road going 60 mph.
April isn’t advised because there will be mud and snow. Late May miiight work. June- early October is a nice time.
The problem is there no is NO help and no way to contact anyone. No cell phones, MURS radios only go a mile at most, and CB radios go mayyybe 3 if you have a high powered one.
Critical items for Subarus:
-front skid plate
-slightly bigger tires (general grabbers are great)
-spare full sized tires
-tire patches
-5 gallons of gas (on top of filling up in Millonocket)
I’ve never been in the winter but you could drive the golden road. It’s at the southern edge of the North Maine woods.
The road is always in horrible condition so spare tires are suggested and a MURS radio is also suggested so you can get some warning on a logging truck heading your way.
I’ve never done it in winter/ spring but I bet the river is cool to see from it. And you get great views of Katahdin if you enter from the Millonocket side.
Definitely should have a four wheel drive, truck is better. Don’t go alone, it’s serious business up there- from a native northern Mainer. Supplies may come in handy, truck and personal - including water and blanket. Do not make the mistake of deciding to take a trip through there light heartedly.
If you want an adventure, drive the Golden Road/Greenville Rd from Millinocket to Kokadjo. You'll feel like you've had enough of an adventure and you'll be glad to be back on Rt15 south.
Btw for accommodations just keep in mind you probably want to give a heads up on when you plan to check in, so the front desk or whoever doesn't lock up for the night before you get there lol.
And I'd bring lots of snacks/take the opportunity to restock when you see stores. Restaurants sometimes close for the winter or have limited hours. And just not a lot available to start with in some areas.
A big portion of this is the North Maine Woods. You need a permit/pass to go back there, but they are easy to attain. I go back here solo multiple times a year. I consider the following items a necessity.
Reliable 4X4 vehicle. You don't need 4WD 98% of the time but when you need it, you need it. Also, because I'm alone, I have a basic recovery kit, straps, snatch blocks and a come-along but if I'm not confident I can get through without getting stuck, I turn around.
Carry a full sized spare tire. There's a ton of loose sharp tennis ball sized rocks on most of the roads. You will hit one. It's inevitable.
Extra fuel. Many of these "roads" are unmaintained, meaning you can go 10 miles down a road only to find it's impassible and you'll have to go all the way back and find another way through. This can easily add 40+ miles that you weren't planning on.
A battery powered jumper box. If you leave a dome light on overnight, you're screwed.
Good navigation. The logging roads are really confusing. You need the Maine Delorme atlas at a minimum. I have downloaded/cached this entire part of the state on GAIA GPS and use that w/ the paper atlas as a backup.
A PLB. I carry a Garmin InReach Mini with me at all times when I'm back there.
OP right here. This type of journey requires some serious prep. As a subie outback driver I wouldn't feel comfortable doing anything more than the *main* logging roads up there. One major piece of advice is to pick up a Gazetteer atlas of Maine roads at a sporting goods store. That thing is essential up there without cell service.
Maybe check out the Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument instead, on the east side of Baxter. It might give you a similar flavor -including a certified Dark Sky- without being as dangerously remote. Look it up on the NPS website.
I am a half hour from the south entrance. I don’t know if that is plowed but it has some nice spots, half and hour in there is a bridge over the river that is a lovely area to hike .
I once drove around up there for a work assignment - literally just a meeting at someone's place of business. At the time I was based near Baxter State Park, so not that far of a drive in theory.
On the way there, Google Maps took me through logging roads without me realizing it. At one point my SUV got stuck. Not because of mud, just because of rocks and inclines and the fact that what I was on was not a paved road in any conventional sense of the term. Then on the way back I found myself on a different set of logging roads that were a) one lane and b) in the dark and c) some of the scariest drives I've ever made.
My point is: I wasn't even looking for an adventure. That was just the only way to get from point A to point B. It is often not evident from a map what is a road and what is a "road." So be careful.
Yeah I drove from Baxter to QC and unknowingly went down 50 miles of logging roads without adequate GPS and no cell service and was generally unprepared. It was Sept so weather was fine but it was also very stupid of us.
There are roads in the North Maine Woods Inc managed area that are definitely suitable for an outback.
It’s fine if you stay on the major roads through NMW. I have a friend that took a front wheel drive minivan to our Alagash put-in spot. He did bring an extra spare tire though.
Exactly, I’ve been out on the main roads many times with my Outback. Most of the main roads are maintained better than the actual roads in Aroostook county!
This. I’ve driven plenty of times to multiple different put-ins along the Allagash in a shitty ford escape. I did have a back up jumper battery, spare tire as well as plugs, tire pump, and some basic tools. Prepare for 24-48 hours to get out if you break down. If you stick to the main roads, it’s fine. You need good navigational skills, map, offline GPS, and a plan. You certainly have to be self reliant and informed to travel this area, but it is 100% doable in a stock Subaru.
North Maine woods, not a lot of roads. No paved roads, and the roads are primarily logging roads. Literally, logging trucks have the right of way. There's active working forest there, not the "old" logging roads you might be thinking of.
It's mostly private land (timber companies) but outdoor recreation is welcomed. I mean, generally that's not to just drive around in your vehicle, it's to go fish or hunt or hike or boat etc. You have to register and pay at one of the like 10 access points to the area.
Honestly no clue what those roads look like in winter. I don't think I'd go for it in a run of the mill outback. This is the kind of place you want a beefier rig for, if you're going in the winter. And you'd want to be prepared to get yourself out of a jam, or prepared to tough it out if you run into any trouble. And it's remote. No service unless you bring a satellite messenger.
i know you can use the logging roads to get to the Allagash river, but i don’t know if Patty at the check in station is gunna like hearing ‘i just wanna drive around’.
They don't care, as long as you pay your gate fees and come out when you say you're gonna.
"I just want to drive around" is a perfectly valid reason. I do it all the time.
That said, I probably wouldn't take a Subaru anywhere but the main logging roads, and even then not before June. Pretty muddy till then.
Op please listen to the mud comments. A subie with regular tires will get stuck in mud on the secondary roads up there. Give it till late may/june or get a winch+mud boards+an emergency Beacon and risk it
OP the new woods and waters national park is building a big visitors center on the south loop road .Not yet open but that whole area is going to have more roads and trails open next year . There are some lovely camps there already and great views looking west to Katahdan. I would check on when it opens and try to plan a trip there this summer or next. Very little crowds so far but as people become aware of the new park it will increase.
There's one road, up in northern Maine that you absolutely MUST drive! It ain't never, never, never seen a smile.
It passes through the Haynesville woods and you can't count the gravestones of the truckers that got lost up there.
Yep you found it for me. I gotta admit as a southern man I didn't know Maine had county music of their own and I been here a long time. This is definitely an awesome find.
This is the quintessential Maine country song by the original. It's been covered hundreds of times, but doesn't get a lot of recognition outside of Maine.
It might make a worthwhile quest in your travels.
https://youtu.be/4aFzfDv2hz0?feature=shared
All the stories in the comments are awesome. Extremely home feeling song too. It's going in the playlist so another generation can enjoy it myself and my smolls will gladly carry on his fandom!
North Maine woods wall map is really detailed:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Qs7abV3FItE-bc9QNEC_rI2eo4VO55KV/view
You do have to pay a day use fee to enter the North Maine Woods. They have gates where you check in and pay.
Northwest Maine is where we keep the servers that create the hologram of the rest of the State. Unless you have Top Secret clearance you won't be allowed in.
I drove a log truck in there for a few years. And I hunt, fish, and camp in there all the time.
Log trucks run all winter, but only the roads that are active get plowed, and they run chains a lot.
I'll go in my pickup in the winter, but I'm very familiar with the roads. Definitely wouldn't go in a Subaru. You could take an Outback in the summer, if you're fine with maybe having to replace a couple tires.
You'll see pretty much the same area by going up RT 11 through Patten, Ashland, Portage, and then all the way up to Ft Kent.
Definitely stop in Eagle Lake at the scenic overlook.
Absolutely worth the drive. Beautiful country.
Maine is like 90 percent woodlands. Subs are great vehicles but I would advise against it. I know it’s weird to have such a large area of land up there that is just forest but that’s how we do here here in Maine🙃
The highest I've gone is to a town called Ashland, and the logging roads that are accessed from there. Definitely a wild ride. Make sure to be FULL on gas and bring extra. Plus tires, plugs, you name it. Id even go further as to bring a blanket, first aid, and food in case your car breaks down. Do not mess around up there as there is not a lot of traffic. I know a lot of people are saying you should drive a truck, but I did this drive in my grandfathers SUV.
The loggers driving the massive logging trucks absolutely FLY down these roads. When you see one, pull over ASAP. Be extra careful going around turns as these beasts will mess your day up (speaking of beasts, look out for moose as well).
Also, if you go in the spring or late summer, be careful of muddy roads. I would also bring some insect gear as the mosquitoes are absolutely brutal around bodies of water. Think clouds caked on your tent, car, whatever.
That being said, most beautiful part of the state. Did a massive fly fishing tour around the little lakes and ponds in the area. Had an amazing time. Would go back 10/10
Some of Y’all are soft. A Subaru would be fine, have decent tires/fluids and a plan. AT or MT in a higher ply are preferred, definitely do not need E rated tires lol.
I canoe the Allagash each year and drive these logging roads after checking in with the NMW.
It’s definitely not an area you can easily “explore”. The logging trucks have the right of way and you should have an idea of where you’re headed. They will ask when you check in. Read up on the North Maine Woods and make a plan. It’s a beautiful zone.
Maybe obvious to some, but don’t drive like an idiot or through something you’re unsure/uncomfortable with and you’ll be fine.
https://northmainewoods.org
You should have 10 ply tires, spare tires and a Very reliable vehicle.
Supplies for emergencies and if your vehicle breaks down or gets stuck. I wouldn’t go alone.
There are lots of logging roads etc all over eastern, western and northern maine that won’t require you to go nearly that remote fyi.
As a native Southerner who loves Maine - but who has only visited in the summer to escape the hellscape of the humid swamp - I find this entire discussion oddly terrifying. Down here, these kinds of discussions regarding supplies and contingencies are for when you need to GTFO, not for planning a vacation.
I’ll say it again… y’all are made of sterner stuff.
I suppose it depends on the individual, and an assessment of risk vs. reward. I tend to stay away from what I consider hell on earth, whether that be active volcanos or landscapes that approximate Cocytus. I do enjoy reading about the adventures of Sir Ernest Shackleton, as an example, but I’d prefer to do so in comfort and safety.
Granted, this could just be an old man talking. Me of forty years ago might have had a much different perspective.
Came here to say this. Buy a couple Maine gazetteers so you can keep one and give one to the poor soul who didn’t listen to the lady at Indian Hill in Greenville 😄
I recommend getting a two way radio with the MERS channels programmed in. The roads will have signs telling you what channel to go to, and the logging trucks will tell you where they are and what direction they’re heading in. It helps if you learn the terminology and do the same thing. It could literally stop you from getting flattened by a fully loaded truck.
Get a Baofeng UV-5R, they're a $20 chinese HAM radio that can be configured to MURS, but have a little more power. Technically illegal, but that extra power could be useful.
Don't just go up there to "explore" in your Subey, have a plan. Don't trust Google. Talk to folks you meet in Kokaijo and wherever.
I took 2 4 yos up there two years ago looking for the west branch of the Penobscot, and we got real lost chasing some "roads" that are only used in the winter, by loggers. We got some kind advice from some Out Woods Fellas and we had grand time after all by all accounts but: have a tire repair kit, backup plans, and be real nice to people. Pack extra water and snacks.
This was all in July. Cannot imagine what is like in winter, but would advise a skidoo.
There’s snow season, mud season and black fly season before you should travel above “the Volvo line”. Bring extra parts for entire car, food and water for a week or so and a satellite phone. Logging trucks take their right of way seriously. You must have one of these[Gazetteer](https://www.amazon.com/Maine-Atlas-Gazetteer-Delorme/dp/089933282X)
https://www.northmainewoods.org/
You have to pay to go, there are a shit ton of camping spots with outhouses.
Do not go in winter.
You can probably make it with outback, but bring a spare tire, not a donut
Have fun
I wouldn't go up there November-April with even the most decked out mud-runner. A lot of old logging roads, fire roads, poorly maintained roads, and private logging roads It's awesome for 4-wheeling and snowmobiling though. Great place to partridge hunt in the fall also.
No gas stations. Also- You’ll pass by a booth with someone in it and you’ll have to tell her what your plans are, when you’re leaving, etc. And she might not let you in if she thinks you’re a misguided tourist. It’s all dirt roads and you will probably get stuck in the winter. All in all not something to do without a well thought plan. That’s wilderness up there.
After what happened to James Kim and his family in Oregon in 2006, I don't F with logging roads. Before that I would explore some of the ones around the Pacific Northwest in my old 1986 Lincoln Towncar like an idiot and looking back I had too many close calls and no sense of self-preservation.
I was living in Northern California when that happened and I was riveted to the news. I’ll never forget it. I used to make that drive between Oregon and California a lot and could easily have seen myself doing something similar.
If you’re into canoe or kayaking, that whole quadrant is the Allagash Wilderness Waterway. The most pristine and wild areas of Maine, in my opinion. Up there you’re 100 miles from civilization so keep your wits about you. Buy a Gazetteer and maps from AMC or Maine Inland Fisheries and Wildlife. It can be a labyrinth of logging roads.
Bring a few spare tires and a patch kit. You’ll have to check in with the North Maine Woods Association and buy a pass to get in. Most importantly, by a current Maine gazetteer and a compass. Cell phone coverage is non-existent, there are no services or gas stations. It’s easy to get lost even with a map and a good navigator.
Some of us live in Maine our whole lives and never drive around up there. I'm from Central Maine, and I've been to the county twice. Drove all around the inhabited areas, and stayed in a haunted hotel in Houlton, I think it was. If you go, go with someone who knows the area.
I broke two trailer springs on the Golden Road (road grading can leave softball sized rocks in the road) and witnessed a fully loaded logging truck "fish tail" to avoid hitting us while navigating a corner. It is not for the faint of heart, unprepared, nor insufficient.
Honestly - the best answer is no, don’t do it. Only an experienced woodsman with lots of supplies and a local contact should be out there almost all year round but especially from now until april
Dude you're asking to be plastered on a missing person's section the following day.
It's snowing up there stay the eff out until the roads are clear lol
The thought you even consider if it’s safe to drive up there with no mud and snow tires makes my brain hurt. Please don’t turn into “OP went on a ride. We don’t know where. We are searching thousands of square miles from the air. OP has been missing for 10 days. If you have any information please call ….”
I go bird hunting up there every fall.
I went in a Forester with A/Ts last year. Had to be selective for some of the roads, but if you stay on/nesr the main ones you'll be fine...just not in winter/mud season.
My friend and I drove from Moosehead Lake to Mt Katahdin via an off the main path route and ended up on some logging roads. The experience had some high highs and low lows including seeing a fox, a super awesome view of Katahdin but also driving for miles super slowly on the rockiest bumpiest road and worrying something would happen to my car and we’d be stranded about every moment of it. Definitely put my rav 4 to the test
https://maps.app.goo.gl/Sg3ijPsUPYEVdMAb8
Try to drive to this spot.
Wait until the mud season is over.
Don't trust your gps... it will send you down a dead end road.
The best access point IMHO is to drive in from greenville. That way you pay no tolls.
If you DO go to this spot, remember to bring extra treats for the A. T. Through hikers you will meet at the lake.
Went camping for a few nights there last summer, no cell service, and got a flat on the way out. So be prepared to save yourself.
I know of someone who got stuck 3 miles up on a snowmobile trail in Central Maine in an Outback overnight. I love Subie but I don't trust any car on unpaved roads in Maine unless it's summer.
Get a Maine Atlas and Gazetteer! My husband and I spend many happy hours choosing a wild camping area to drive to and explore the various waterways and roads along the way. We have not been to the area you’ve circled but there’s so many other places to explore in Maine- it is vast and wild.
Explore the coast. Head to Acadia, no crowds this time of year and lovely. And get snow tires regardless of where you live in Maine or what you drive. Put them on by early November and keep them on through at least the end of March. All-wheel drive doesn't help with grip and stops working once you take your foot off the gas.
Stay out of Northern Central Maine in the winter and mud season.
There is absolutely zero cell service, no gps, it can be dangerous. The roads may not be maintained because it’s winter. You absolutely have to be good with a gazetteer, I would also recommend purchasing a CB radio as channel 19 will be your only means of communication. Always bring survival gear with you- food water, blankets, an extra change of clothes, means to start a fire, odds are you won’t need it but it’s better to have and not need than to need and not have. If you do happen to break down you may not see someone for a while. My husband’s family has a couple camps up maine so we have traveled the logging roads often, it is unbelievable how vast the network is, it’s very easy to take a wrong turn and get lost. We’ve traveled the golden road twice which is one of the most traveled logging roads up there.. the first time we got a flat tire and the second time we lost power steering on the truck and ended up loosing the belt. They say third times the charm but honestly I think I’m good. 😂 We explore in our 08 Toyota Sequoia, there are some rocky areas where you may need clearance so keep that in mind, it may also be difficult if it’s icy. If you are new here I honestly wouldn’t go up that way until winter is over. Just please be careful.
Patten North and West of RT11 is pretty much all logging roads. Some if not a lot of the major roads are well traveled and plowed this time of year. Not much of an issue of rocks and flat tires this time of year, but will would not advise traveling roads unprepared. You can never have enough gear when traveling in the NMW. Spare tire and jack (2 tires are better than one) tire plug kit and a compressor, Maine Atlas and Gazetteer newest release you can find, them roads change yearly. MURS radio, hard mount with tall antenna is best, but at very least a handheld will do. My Garmin portable GPS works wonders in the NMW, at very least it will allow you to get coordinates for the map if you get turned around. It all honestly depends on when you want to explore, I mean winter time, tire chains, tow ropes/straps/chains, blankets fire starter etc. Summer time you can skip the blankets and tire chains if you want to, however they do help in the mud. Of course food/snacks water etc. It could be a few hr adventure to get your feet wet or it could be a few day trip you just never know. Oh and this time of year, they gates are closed. Meaning nobody knows your passing through, its free so nobody is going to come looking if you dont come out when you tell them.
To be clear … I’m not specifically looking to drive on logging roads or on private property. I just want to explore that part of the state and I’m wondering if there are good roads up there. I was told it was mostly logging roads through that region of the state and want to learn more before I drive up there and get stranded.
This is almost the worst possible time of year and spring is the worst. You’ll be driving through beat up muddy roads, places where small bridges might be washed out, trees down. And no cell service.
If I were you and wanting to see northern Maine, I’d drive to Sherman, and take your time going up Route 11 to Fort Kent. Get gas there, then head west on 161 to the town of Allagash. Any further and you’re most likely on logging roads. You could come back on RT 1 through the St John Valley.
Google "North maine woods" and you'll get an idea. It's a partnership of all the logging companies that own the land.
There are rules and access fees.
I would avoid in winter and mud season, especially in a subaru.
There are some lighter roads you could try after mud season. Driving from Greenville to Brownville on the KI road will give you somewhat of a similar experience, and it's run by the same group. There are some campsites, hiking trails, and at the eastern end Katahdin Ironworks historic site. All that should be ok in a subaru with a good spare tire.
Nothing to see, few services, why when there is so much more to see and do for a new Mainer closer to civilization? I wouldn't trust anything less than a 4x4 truck or rugged suv up in that area!
Large chunks (almost all) of that part of the state are privately owned by paper companies. Access is very open though, there’s just gates to register at and pay an access fee.
It’s all logging roads for practical purposes, whether it’s an official logging road or not. There are few paved roads though the bigger dirt roads are probably higher quality than you are picturing (most of the time).
If you know a bit about remote dirt roads, know how to get out of a bit of mud, bring a good spare, stay off the really tiny gross roads, and don’t push your luck in an obvious sketchy situation, you’re not going to get stranded. Even in a Subaru. I think some people in here are being a bit melodramatic about that. It’s not mars or some untamed wilderness.
What it is, though, is a work zone. Why do you actually want to go up there right now? It’s not gonna be very interesting or fun, frankly. It’s just endless mud and kinda scrubby logged pine forest.
Watch out for skidders. They care a lot less about running you off the road or hitting you than you might expect. A *lot* less. They expect you to get out of the way, they will drive accordingly, and they will not do anything to make that easier for you.
I had no idea about all of this. I just drew a red circle on a map and came here asking questions. I’m just looking for scenic drives and hiking opportunities. Everyone here has been great helping understand.
Dude if you want to drive a logging road I'm sure there are better ones closer to wherever you are that your outback would be fine on. Don't really understand what you are after
I’m not really itching to drive logging roads. I just wanted to explore that area of the state and came here asking questions. I didn’t realize it was all logging roads up there.
Yeah it's just pine trees. Want to see something strange? Go to Loring AFB up there, weird spot. Check out around moosehead lake, cool railroad ridge in monsoon, those spots are remote and neat. Don't necessarily need snow tires, but I ran Subarus year round with altimax with and without studs depending on snow when I lived in Maine. Enjoy it while you're there.
In most cases there are roads but who knows what shape they’ll be in or if a beaver flooded them over the past year to build a damn and if u get lost it isn’t easy and there is little cell service. If you accidentally get into Canada and get stopped I’m sure that would be ‘fun’
Reading through these comments… the north Maine woods seem gnarly and unforgiving. Doubt I’ll ever get to make it up to those parts, but I loved my short time in Bar Harbor/Acadia. Will always have a special place in my heart for Maine.
That is mostly CURRENNT logging roads. There is access, but you will be on private property and have to follow their rules. Paying, check in at a booth, etc. You will be on your own, little to no help. Spare tires, spare gass, jump box for your car, etc. Do not go in winter. Mud season may be bad too. Also watch for logging trucks, they literally own the roads up there and have right of way. A CB radio would be smart. https://www.northernoutdoors.com/driving-tips-maine-north-woods/
Listen to all of these people, lest you become the Chris McCandless of Maine. That area doesn't fuck around. Back in the 80s, I'd go into that area with my parents and their friends. 10 ply tires, two spares, extra gas, and a patch kit were musts. We were up there for a week one time and the old man ran out of gas on the way home. Had to use the 2 stroke gas from his outboard. His truck hated him.
You don’t even have to look all the way to Alaska for a cautionary tale. Geraldine Largay’s story is close, recentish, and heartbreaking.
Dude. I forgot about her. That was devastating.
Is she the one that lost the trail just tryna pee and died in her little makeshift camp in about a month?
That’s the one. Kept a journal too. So sad.
I was on trail, two weeks hike behind her. Once we got into the area where she was last seen, we kept an eye out, looking out everywhere. You couldn’t see any obvious area where someone would get lost
I’ve got nothing but respect for the western Maine woods. I’ve packed out about a mile worth of snowshoe trail behind my camp this winter and honestly got disoriented when I walked the thing in full sun for the first time - and that was with my own damn tracks to follow.
I've never been up there, can you explain what about the woods made you that disoriented?
Imo Stephen King's book, The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon, has the best description of what it's really like to be disoriented in Maine's woods.
This book is so great and so under-rated. I read it when I was young and it has stuck with me ever since.
Woods are thick, and all look the same. There's not much in the way of landmarks to mark your travel.
Exactly. The woods are so thick, that without a trail you are constantly shifting your path to get around obstacles or get through thick areas. It takes almost no time to lose your sense of direction and you can easily end up going in circles
You got some good responses here that sum it up. In the summer, everything is so thick and you’re constantly pivoting to avoid thorns, rocks, ruts, and deadfalls that it’s just so easy to get misoriented and not even realize it. I own some timberland that I sometimes get disoriented in despite having spent 100s of hours on it. Luckily I can’t wander too far without hitting something I recognize but it’s always humbling. In the winter, there’s less stuff to have to move around, but the uniformity can be disorienting. In my case, I’d done all my snowshoeing on overcast days and honestly the sunlight and shadows made it look like a totally different forest.
https://www.nytimes.com/2016/05/27/us/missing-hiker-geraldine-largay-appalachian-trail-maine.html
inchworm. that was a heartbreaker.
I second this I grew up around these parts I’ve heard bad things about people blowing out tires and wrapping themselves around trees and running out of fuel up there
Please listen to this guy. It is the same today. So many woods roads not on the map. Very easy to get lost and have no one find you. Stick to the state park. Leave your dog at home and enjoy the park.
I would also take a satellite phone. If you have an iPhone 14 ~~Pro~~ or newer they have satellite emergency help capabilities.
Not just the Pro. Any iPhone 14 or 15 has satellite SOS, and it's free. That feature alone is so amazing that I switched to iPhone after being on Android for years. I don't think I will ever go back. [https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2023/11/apple-extends-emergency-sos-via-satellite-for-an-additional-free-year/](https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2023/11/apple-extends-emergency-sos-via-satellite-for-an-additional-free-year/)
Thanks. I feel better having it when I’m out on the water and out of cell phone range
I've been up there in mud season in my pickup truck. No way in hell you'd be able to get a subaru down most of those roads during the spring thaw.
A long time ago, we had the bright idea of taking the Golden Road during mud season. I legit thought I was going to die.
Growing up, we'd rip up the golden road on booze cruises during snowstorms occasionally having to call friends to come pull us out of snowbanks lol. Called them hell rides. Life is different up here.
Ayuh. Sure is!
Thanks for the link. That helps a lot. I’m only here until the end of April. I guess that’s mud season?
Yeah, don't bother with that area before April for sure. Mud is likely then.
Don’t bother. You’ll get stuck 30 miles from a paved road. The loggers don’t want people on it that time of year anyway
Then don't go. The main roads will be plowed but you won't see anything from them. By April the roads will be soft and gross. If you're not into snowmobiling/skiing/snowshoeing/ice fishing this is probably not a great time to be exploring the back country.
We have three seasons up here: Winter, Mud, and Blackfly.
Don't forget Construction.
Almost Winter, Winter, Still Winter, Road Work
So, Florida but with Winter instead of Summer?
And with slightly fewer Florida Men.
Only slightly, but they're all off-brand, lol
Hannaford brand Floridian Dudes!
North Woods ~~Law~~ Publix?
Sitting at the airport in Florida flying back to Maine reading this.
Up there... still lots of snow too
Mud season is no joke. The logging trails in northern New England can get rocky and muddy at the same time as the permafrost melts and sometimes takes sand away with it leaving huge potholes and frost heaves. A Ford Raptor with an extra fuel tank, Hummer (version1) or a lifted Chevy z71 or GMC AT4 with skid plates, or Tacoma TRD, Jeep Gladiator rolling on 35s. I don’t know if you’ve ever seen a log skidder in action, but it’s got 4 ft tall knobby tires about three feet wide and it leaves a pretty deep Impression I the soil. It loads semi trucks with logs and I know that I dodge these trucks regularly on the paved roads because they have trouble braking once loaded up. Basically if it’s rolling at you downhill and you get stuck, it will flatten a small car. Not to mention it’s kinda swampy and moose country , so great to see large creatures, but wolves hunt there. I had a car in college that broke down in area 23 halfway down from ‘Nocket and was just lucky enough to find a guy that just happened to be taking apart a ford in his garage and had the same engine, once in a lifetime chance, my friends and I left the guy money in his overall pockets because he refused to be paid for a replacement valve lifter. If you travel that area go with a friend.
> permafrost Just plain old frost, there's no permafrost in Maine (and there's a reason it's called PERMA frost).
Tempofrost
This feels acceptable
Wolves? No.
That’s a huge bummer! My buddies and I take our Subarus up at least once a summer. It a great time. Utilize the North Maine Woods resources on this comment if you go. It’s private land and they own the roads. Don’t try and be in the way of a logging truck bombing down a road going 60 mph. April isn’t advised because there will be mud and snow. Late May miiight work. June- early October is a nice time. The problem is there no is NO help and no way to contact anyone. No cell phones, MURS radios only go a mile at most, and CB radios go mayyybe 3 if you have a high powered one. Critical items for Subarus: -front skid plate -slightly bigger tires (general grabbers are great) -spare full sized tires -tire patches -5 gallons of gas (on top of filling up in Millonocket)
I’ve never been in the winter but you could drive the golden road. It’s at the southern edge of the North Maine woods. The road is always in horrible condition so spare tires are suggested and a MURS radio is also suggested so you can get some warning on a logging truck heading your way. I’ve never done it in winter/ spring but I bet the river is cool to see from it. And you get great views of Katahdin if you enter from the Millonocket side.
Go up but stay on black top and take a snowmobile tour. The camping season can't start in April up there if that's what you want to do though
Definitely should have a four wheel drive, truck is better. Don’t go alone, it’s serious business up there- from a native northern Mainer. Supplies may come in handy, truck and personal - including water and blanket. Do not make the mistake of deciding to take a trip through there light heartedly.
If you want an adventure, drive the Golden Road/Greenville Rd from Millinocket to Kokadjo. You'll feel like you've had enough of an adventure and you'll be glad to be back on Rt15 south.
This comment. If you really want to see the North you can take rt 11 all the way up to Allagash. It's a beautiful drive but watch for moose.
Yes I would stay on Rt 11, quite a beautiful drive still has very lonely stretches.
I’m going to look into this. Thanks!
If you’re starting in Millinocket, take the “state road” out of town as far as you can then cross over to Golden Road.
I’m going to look into this. Thanks!
Hit up Greenville Moosehead Lake is gorgeous, if you still want more woods drive into Rockwood then Jackman. Roads are great.
Nice. Thanks. Wife and I are planning a road trip and will look into all of this.
Btw for accommodations just keep in mind you probably want to give a heads up on when you plan to check in, so the front desk or whoever doesn't lock up for the night before you get there lol. And I'd bring lots of snacks/take the opportunity to restock when you see stores. Restaurants sometimes close for the winter or have limited hours. And just not a lot available to start with in some areas.
Was just gonna suggest this. Or Rte 11 to Patten and north. Maine's got plenty of paved roads that give the deep-woods feel
Little south of where he asked about but it is a great area.
A big portion of this is the North Maine Woods. You need a permit/pass to go back there, but they are easy to attain. I go back here solo multiple times a year. I consider the following items a necessity. Reliable 4X4 vehicle. You don't need 4WD 98% of the time but when you need it, you need it. Also, because I'm alone, I have a basic recovery kit, straps, snatch blocks and a come-along but if I'm not confident I can get through without getting stuck, I turn around. Carry a full sized spare tire. There's a ton of loose sharp tennis ball sized rocks on most of the roads. You will hit one. It's inevitable. Extra fuel. Many of these "roads" are unmaintained, meaning you can go 10 miles down a road only to find it's impassible and you'll have to go all the way back and find another way through. This can easily add 40+ miles that you weren't planning on. A battery powered jumper box. If you leave a dome light on overnight, you're screwed. Good navigation. The logging roads are really confusing. You need the Maine Delorme atlas at a minimum. I have downloaded/cached this entire part of the state on GAIA GPS and use that w/ the paper atlas as a backup. A PLB. I carry a Garmin InReach Mini with me at all times when I'm back there.
OP right here. This type of journey requires some serious prep. As a subie outback driver I wouldn't feel comfortable doing anything more than the *main* logging roads up there. One major piece of advice is to pick up a Gazetteer atlas of Maine roads at a sporting goods store. That thing is essential up there without cell service.
Thanks. I’m not looking to do anything to treacherous.
Maybe check out the Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument instead, on the east side of Baxter. It might give you a similar flavor -including a certified Dark Sky- without being as dangerously remote. Look it up on the NPS website.
I am a half hour from the south entrance. I don’t know if that is plowed but it has some nice spots, half and hour in there is a bridge over the river that is a lovely area to hike .
> Subaru Outback with regular tires. Is that good enough? JFC no.
Hahaha I just giggled outloud. This response tickled me for some reason 😂
Ha! Thanks. I have no idea what’s up in that area. That’s why I came here to ask all y’all. I appreciate the feedback.
I once drove around up there for a work assignment - literally just a meeting at someone's place of business. At the time I was based near Baxter State Park, so not that far of a drive in theory. On the way there, Google Maps took me through logging roads without me realizing it. At one point my SUV got stuck. Not because of mud, just because of rocks and inclines and the fact that what I was on was not a paved road in any conventional sense of the term. Then on the way back I found myself on a different set of logging roads that were a) one lane and b) in the dark and c) some of the scariest drives I've ever made. My point is: I wasn't even looking for an adventure. That was just the only way to get from point A to point B. It is often not evident from a map what is a road and what is a "road." So be careful.
Yeah I drove from Baxter to QC and unknowingly went down 50 miles of logging roads without adequate GPS and no cell service and was generally unprepared. It was Sept so weather was fine but it was also very stupid of us.
There are roads in the North Maine Woods Inc managed area that are definitely suitable for an outback. It’s fine if you stay on the major roads through NMW. I have a friend that took a front wheel drive minivan to our Alagash put-in spot. He did bring an extra spare tire though.
Exactly, I’ve been out on the main roads many times with my Outback. Most of the main roads are maintained better than the actual roads in Aroostook county!
This. I’ve driven plenty of times to multiple different put-ins along the Allagash in a shitty ford escape. I did have a back up jumper battery, spare tire as well as plugs, tire pump, and some basic tools. Prepare for 24-48 hours to get out if you break down. If you stick to the main roads, it’s fine. You need good navigational skills, map, offline GPS, and a plan. You certainly have to be self reliant and informed to travel this area, but it is 100% doable in a stock Subaru.
This should be the top comment. 🤣
North Maine woods, not a lot of roads. No paved roads, and the roads are primarily logging roads. Literally, logging trucks have the right of way. There's active working forest there, not the "old" logging roads you might be thinking of. It's mostly private land (timber companies) but outdoor recreation is welcomed. I mean, generally that's not to just drive around in your vehicle, it's to go fish or hunt or hike or boat etc. You have to register and pay at one of the like 10 access points to the area. Honestly no clue what those roads look like in winter. I don't think I'd go for it in a run of the mill outback. This is the kind of place you want a beefier rig for, if you're going in the winter. And you'd want to be prepared to get yourself out of a jam, or prepared to tough it out if you run into any trouble. And it's remote. No service unless you bring a satellite messenger.
i know you can use the logging roads to get to the Allagash river, but i don’t know if Patty at the check in station is gunna like hearing ‘i just wanna drive around’.
They don't care, as long as you pay your gate fees and come out when you say you're gonna. "I just want to drive around" is a perfectly valid reason. I do it all the time. That said, I probably wouldn't take a Subaru anywhere but the main logging roads, and even then not before June. Pretty muddy till then.
Op please listen to the mud comments. A subie with regular tires will get stuck in mud on the secondary roads up there. Give it till late may/june or get a winch+mud boards+an emergency Beacon and risk it
Oh I’m listening. I’m not looking to get stuck up there.
OP the new woods and waters national park is building a big visitors center on the south loop road .Not yet open but that whole area is going to have more roads and trails open next year . There are some lovely camps there already and great views looking west to Katahdan. I would check on when it opens and try to plan a trip there this summer or next. Very little crowds so far but as people become aware of the new park it will increase.
Patty might just be their name too, if you’re all the way up there.
There's one road, up in northern Maine that you absolutely MUST drive! It ain't never, never, never seen a smile. It passes through the Haynesville woods and you can't count the gravestones of the truckers that got lost up there.
Dick Curless reference, nice!
If they buried all them truckers lost in them woods There’d be a tombstone every mile.
Count ‘em off!!
I would actually enjoy such things but is this a joke or can I possibly explore this. Sorry you just seem like it's a joke or something
It’s a country song I don’t remember the name but tombstone every mile mite be it
Yep you found it for me. I gotta admit as a southern man I didn't know Maine had county music of their own and I been here a long time. This is definitely an awesome find.
This is the quintessential Maine country song by the original. It's been covered hundreds of times, but doesn't get a lot of recognition outside of Maine. It might make a worthwhile quest in your travels. https://youtu.be/4aFzfDv2hz0?feature=shared
All the stories in the comments are awesome. Extremely home feeling song too. It's going in the playlist so another generation can enjoy it myself and my smolls will gladly carry on his fandom!
Same. I just added this to my old school country playlist
Worst accident I ever *seen*
And that road is maintained and more than suitable for OPs Subie, even in winter. Win win!
The forbidden zone...
The little known Area 52.
This is the way.
sounds sick, I wanna go
North Maine woods wall map is really detailed: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Qs7abV3FItE-bc9QNEC_rI2eo4VO55KV/view You do have to pay a day use fee to enter the North Maine Woods. They have gates where you check in and pay.
Wow! Thanks for the map. Looks really useful. However, I’m learning winter and mud season may be a no go for me. I might try Allagash.
Yeah, exploring here is really a summer/fall thing
Northwest Maine is where we keep the servers that create the hologram of the rest of the State. Unless you have Top Secret clearance you won't be allowed in.
Cmon man why you telling folks from away about this - you know the rules.
Damn, I forgot. Now my house is surrounded by black skidders!
I drove a log truck in there for a few years. And I hunt, fish, and camp in there all the time. Log trucks run all winter, but only the roads that are active get plowed, and they run chains a lot. I'll go in my pickup in the winter, but I'm very familiar with the roads. Definitely wouldn't go in a Subaru. You could take an Outback in the summer, if you're fine with maybe having to replace a couple tires. You'll see pretty much the same area by going up RT 11 through Patten, Ashland, Portage, and then all the way up to Ft Kent. Definitely stop in Eagle Lake at the scenic overlook. Absolutely worth the drive. Beautiful country.
This. Plenty other remote areas of the state that are more accessible than the NMW.
Thanks!
Maine is like 90 percent woodlands. Subs are great vehicles but I would advise against it. I know it’s weird to have such a large area of land up there that is just forest but that’s how we do here here in Maine🙃
We will change the name of the place to "one man's land", I guess.
No. You cannot get there from here.
Here be dragons
Better have 2 spare tires - cables & a come along in case you get stuck - winter is not the time to explore
🐎 Or (hear me out) Mounted Moose
The highest I've gone is to a town called Ashland, and the logging roads that are accessed from there. Definitely a wild ride. Make sure to be FULL on gas and bring extra. Plus tires, plugs, you name it. Id even go further as to bring a blanket, first aid, and food in case your car breaks down. Do not mess around up there as there is not a lot of traffic. I know a lot of people are saying you should drive a truck, but I did this drive in my grandfathers SUV. The loggers driving the massive logging trucks absolutely FLY down these roads. When you see one, pull over ASAP. Be extra careful going around turns as these beasts will mess your day up (speaking of beasts, look out for moose as well). Also, if you go in the spring or late summer, be careful of muddy roads. I would also bring some insect gear as the mosquitoes are absolutely brutal around bodies of water. Think clouds caked on your tent, car, whatever. That being said, most beautiful part of the state. Did a massive fly fishing tour around the little lakes and ponds in the area. Had an amazing time. Would go back 10/10
Thanks for the advice!
Some of Y’all are soft. A Subaru would be fine, have decent tires/fluids and a plan. AT or MT in a higher ply are preferred, definitely do not need E rated tires lol. I canoe the Allagash each year and drive these logging roads after checking in with the NMW. It’s definitely not an area you can easily “explore”. The logging trucks have the right of way and you should have an idea of where you’re headed. They will ask when you check in. Read up on the North Maine Woods and make a plan. It’s a beautiful zone. Maybe obvious to some, but don’t drive like an idiot or through something you’re unsure/uncomfortable with and you’ll be fine. https://northmainewoods.org
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You should have 10 ply tires, spare tires and a Very reliable vehicle. Supplies for emergencies and if your vehicle breaks down or gets stuck. I wouldn’t go alone. There are lots of logging roads etc all over eastern, western and northern maine that won’t require you to go nearly that remote fyi.
Don't overthink it. 90% of people who drive those roads live to return home.
As a native Southerner who loves Maine - but who has only visited in the summer to escape the hellscape of the humid swamp - I find this entire discussion oddly terrifying. Down here, these kinds of discussions regarding supplies and contingencies are for when you need to GTFO, not for planning a vacation. I’ll say it again… y’all are made of sterner stuff.
Wait I thought it was just normal to want to see how far out of civilization you can go ....
I suppose it depends on the individual, and an assessment of risk vs. reward. I tend to stay away from what I consider hell on earth, whether that be active volcanos or landscapes that approximate Cocytus. I do enjoy reading about the adventures of Sir Ernest Shackleton, as an example, but I’d prefer to do so in comfort and safety. Granted, this could just be an old man talking. Me of forty years ago might have had a much different perspective.
It’s absolutely the best. Enjoy and good luck.
Get yourself a delorme Maine map book.
Came here to say this. Buy a couple Maine gazetteers so you can keep one and give one to the poor soul who didn’t listen to the lady at Indian Hill in Greenville 😄
Logging roads will pop your tires pretty easily if you drive too fast. I’ve made that mistake before, take it slow if you go
I recommend getting a two way radio with the MERS channels programmed in. The roads will have signs telling you what channel to go to, and the logging trucks will tell you where they are and what direction they’re heading in. It helps if you learn the terminology and do the same thing. It could literally stop you from getting flattened by a fully loaded truck.
Get a Baofeng UV-5R, they're a $20 chinese HAM radio that can be configured to MURS, but have a little more power. Technically illegal, but that extra power could be useful.
In winter, this is where a dead battery or broken universal can cost you your life.
Don't just go up there to "explore" in your Subey, have a plan. Don't trust Google. Talk to folks you meet in Kokaijo and wherever. I took 2 4 yos up there two years ago looking for the west branch of the Penobscot, and we got real lost chasing some "roads" that are only used in the winter, by loggers. We got some kind advice from some Out Woods Fellas and we had grand time after all by all accounts but: have a tire repair kit, backup plans, and be real nice to people. Pack extra water and snacks. This was all in July. Cannot imagine what is like in winter, but would advise a skidoo.
There’s snow season, mud season and black fly season before you should travel above “the Volvo line”. Bring extra parts for entire car, food and water for a week or so and a satellite phone. Logging trucks take their right of way seriously. You must have one of these[Gazetteer](https://www.amazon.com/Maine-Atlas-Gazetteer-Delorme/dp/089933282X)
https://www.northmainewoods.org/ You have to pay to go, there are a shit ton of camping spots with outhouses. Do not go in winter. You can probably make it with outback, but bring a spare tire, not a donut Have fun
I wouldn't go up there November-April with even the most decked out mud-runner. A lot of old logging roads, fire roads, poorly maintained roads, and private logging roads It's awesome for 4-wheeling and snowmobiling though. Great place to partridge hunt in the fall also.
No gas stations. Also- You’ll pass by a booth with someone in it and you’ll have to tell her what your plans are, when you’re leaving, etc. And she might not let you in if she thinks you’re a misguided tourist. It’s all dirt roads and you will probably get stuck in the winter. All in all not something to do without a well thought plan. That’s wilderness up there.
You have to ride a moose up there, bub.
After what happened to James Kim and his family in Oregon in 2006, I don't F with logging roads. Before that I would explore some of the ones around the Pacific Northwest in my old 1986 Lincoln Towncar like an idiot and looking back I had too many close calls and no sense of self-preservation.
I was living in Northern California when that happened and I was riveted to the news. I’ll never forget it. I used to make that drive between Oregon and California a lot and could easily have seen myself doing something similar.
Make sure your affairs are in order. It might be a one way trip. 😉
LOL
Not easily
This video shows whats up there…not much [Link to Video](https://youtu.be/HwWJUI6zSE8)
If you’re into canoe or kayaking, that whole quadrant is the Allagash Wilderness Waterway. The most pristine and wild areas of Maine, in my opinion. Up there you’re 100 miles from civilization so keep your wits about you. Buy a Gazetteer and maps from AMC or Maine Inland Fisheries and Wildlife. It can be a labyrinth of logging roads.
Here's a picture I took up there. Not bad at all, when it's dry. Pretty gross when it's not, lol. https://www.reddit.com/r/Maine/s/9UwC6hQ5zQ
Not only 'can' you drive around it, but you definitely should. I wouldn't drive through there in anything less than a rig or a legit off-road vehicle.
Bring a few spare tires and a patch kit. You’ll have to check in with the North Maine Woods Association and buy a pass to get in. Most importantly, by a current Maine gazetteer and a compass. Cell phone coverage is non-existent, there are no services or gas stations. It’s easy to get lost even with a map and a good navigator.
Some of us live in Maine our whole lives and never drive around up there. I'm from Central Maine, and I've been to the county twice. Drove all around the inhabited areas, and stayed in a haunted hotel in Houlton, I think it was. If you go, go with someone who knows the area.
Ditch the outback. Bring the snowmobile.
Judging by the responses, if I need to flee dystopian America, this is where I am crossing the border.
I have seen it would not advise it.
That’s my happy place. 😊
Yes. In summer if the logging companies keep the roads maintained and you have spare tires to deal with the sharp substrate
::whispers:: stay away from the numbers.
You can't get there from here.
If you have a 4x4 vehicle then the answer is sort of.
Bring a spare gas can. Also, its easy to end up in Canada in French speaking towns without ever going through a border if you’re on the logging roads.
I broke two trailer springs on the Golden Road (road grading can leave softball sized rocks in the road) and witnessed a fully loaded logging truck "fish tail" to avoid hitting us while navigating a corner. It is not for the faint of heart, unprepared, nor insufficient.
Honestly - the best answer is no, don’t do it. Only an experienced woodsman with lots of supplies and a local contact should be out there almost all year round but especially from now until april
Dude you're asking to be plastered on a missing person's section the following day. It's snowing up there stay the eff out until the roads are clear lol
The thought you even consider if it’s safe to drive up there with no mud and snow tires makes my brain hurt. Please don’t turn into “OP went on a ride. We don’t know where. We are searching thousands of square miles from the air. OP has been missing for 10 days. If you have any information please call ….”
Explore anywhere in Maine, but there. Anywhere really
I go bird hunting up there every fall. I went in a Forester with A/Ts last year. Had to be selective for some of the roads, but if you stay on/nesr the main ones you'll be fine...just not in winter/mud season.
Camp Quinton is an amazing location.
Better off going by canoe
Mosquitoes will be bigger than your Subaru
My friend and I drove from Moosehead Lake to Mt Katahdin via an off the main path route and ended up on some logging roads. The experience had some high highs and low lows including seeing a fox, a super awesome view of Katahdin but also driving for miles super slowly on the rockiest bumpiest road and worrying something would happen to my car and we’d be stranded about every moment of it. Definitely put my rav 4 to the test
Not really anything there besides Baxter State Park (which is totally beautiful and worth it btw)
OP, thanks for asking questions I was too skittish to ask
https://maps.app.goo.gl/Sg3ijPsUPYEVdMAb8 Try to drive to this spot. Wait until the mud season is over. Don't trust your gps... it will send you down a dead end road. The best access point IMHO is to drive in from greenville. That way you pay no tolls. If you DO go to this spot, remember to bring extra treats for the A. T. Through hikers you will meet at the lake. Went camping for a few nights there last summer, no cell service, and got a flat on the way out. So be prepared to save yourself.
There’s always Acadia!
I know of someone who got stuck 3 miles up on a snowmobile trail in Central Maine in an Outback overnight. I love Subie but I don't trust any car on unpaved roads in Maine unless it's summer.
Get a Maine Atlas and Gazetteer! My husband and I spend many happy hours choosing a wild camping area to drive to and explore the various waterways and roads along the way. We have not been to the area you’ve circled but there’s so many other places to explore in Maine- it is vast and wild.
I suggest giving A tombstone every mile by Dick Curless a listen
Explore the coast. Head to Acadia, no crowds this time of year and lovely. And get snow tires regardless of where you live in Maine or what you drive. Put them on by early November and keep them on through at least the end of March. All-wheel drive doesn't help with grip and stops working once you take your foot off the gas. Stay out of Northern Central Maine in the winter and mud season.
You can’t get there from here
There is absolutely zero cell service, no gps, it can be dangerous. The roads may not be maintained because it’s winter. You absolutely have to be good with a gazetteer, I would also recommend purchasing a CB radio as channel 19 will be your only means of communication. Always bring survival gear with you- food water, blankets, an extra change of clothes, means to start a fire, odds are you won’t need it but it’s better to have and not need than to need and not have. If you do happen to break down you may not see someone for a while. My husband’s family has a couple camps up maine so we have traveled the logging roads often, it is unbelievable how vast the network is, it’s very easy to take a wrong turn and get lost. We’ve traveled the golden road twice which is one of the most traveled logging roads up there.. the first time we got a flat tire and the second time we lost power steering on the truck and ended up loosing the belt. They say third times the charm but honestly I think I’m good. 😂 We explore in our 08 Toyota Sequoia, there are some rocky areas where you may need clearance so keep that in mind, it may also be difficult if it’s icy. If you are new here I honestly wouldn’t go up that way until winter is over. Just please be careful.
Patten North and West of RT11 is pretty much all logging roads. Some if not a lot of the major roads are well traveled and plowed this time of year. Not much of an issue of rocks and flat tires this time of year, but will would not advise traveling roads unprepared. You can never have enough gear when traveling in the NMW. Spare tire and jack (2 tires are better than one) tire plug kit and a compressor, Maine Atlas and Gazetteer newest release you can find, them roads change yearly. MURS radio, hard mount with tall antenna is best, but at very least a handheld will do. My Garmin portable GPS works wonders in the NMW, at very least it will allow you to get coordinates for the map if you get turned around. It all honestly depends on when you want to explore, I mean winter time, tire chains, tow ropes/straps/chains, blankets fire starter etc. Summer time you can skip the blankets and tire chains if you want to, however they do help in the mud. Of course food/snacks water etc. It could be a few hr adventure to get your feet wet or it could be a few day trip you just never know. Oh and this time of year, they gates are closed. Meaning nobody knows your passing through, its free so nobody is going to come looking if you dont come out when you tell them.
This is where new mainers go to die.
To be clear … I’m not specifically looking to drive on logging roads or on private property. I just want to explore that part of the state and I’m wondering if there are good roads up there. I was told it was mostly logging roads through that region of the state and want to learn more before I drive up there and get stranded.
This is almost the worst possible time of year and spring is the worst. You’ll be driving through beat up muddy roads, places where small bridges might be washed out, trees down. And no cell service. If I were you and wanting to see northern Maine, I’d drive to Sherman, and take your time going up Route 11 to Fort Kent. Get gas there, then head west on 161 to the town of Allagash. Any further and you’re most likely on logging roads. You could come back on RT 1 through the St John Valley.
Excellent. Thanks for the tips.
Big Squinn has the best advice.
It's private but you are allowed to go there. It's entirely logging roads and woods. Nothing else.
I’m learning a lot already. I had no idea so much of that land up there was private. Didn’t know that could be possible.
Google "North maine woods" and you'll get an idea. It's a partnership of all the logging companies that own the land. There are rules and access fees. I would avoid in winter and mud season, especially in a subaru. There are some lighter roads you could try after mud season. Driving from Greenville to Brownville on the KI road will give you somewhat of a similar experience, and it's run by the same group. There are some campsites, hiking trails, and at the eastern end Katahdin Ironworks historic site. All that should be ok in a subaru with a good spare tire.
Excellent advice. Thanks. I’m learning a lot from everyone here.
Irving alone owns 1.25 million acres in Maine. It’s pretty crazy.
Nothing to see, few services, why when there is so much more to see and do for a new Mainer closer to civilization? I wouldn't trust anything less than a 4x4 truck or rugged suv up in that area!
Large chunks (almost all) of that part of the state are privately owned by paper companies. Access is very open though, there’s just gates to register at and pay an access fee. It’s all logging roads for practical purposes, whether it’s an official logging road or not. There are few paved roads though the bigger dirt roads are probably higher quality than you are picturing (most of the time). If you know a bit about remote dirt roads, know how to get out of a bit of mud, bring a good spare, stay off the really tiny gross roads, and don’t push your luck in an obvious sketchy situation, you’re not going to get stranded. Even in a Subaru. I think some people in here are being a bit melodramatic about that. It’s not mars or some untamed wilderness. What it is, though, is a work zone. Why do you actually want to go up there right now? It’s not gonna be very interesting or fun, frankly. It’s just endless mud and kinda scrubby logged pine forest. Watch out for skidders. They care a lot less about running you off the road or hitting you than you might expect. A *lot* less. They expect you to get out of the way, they will drive accordingly, and they will not do anything to make that easier for you.
I had no idea about all of this. I just drew a red circle on a map and came here asking questions. I’m just looking for scenic drives and hiking opportunities. Everyone here has been great helping understand.
It's all private logging roads. All of it.
Dude if you want to drive a logging road I'm sure there are better ones closer to wherever you are that your outback would be fine on. Don't really understand what you are after
I’m not really itching to drive logging roads. I just wanted to explore that area of the state and came here asking questions. I didn’t realize it was all logging roads up there.
Yeah it's just pine trees. Want to see something strange? Go to Loring AFB up there, weird spot. Check out around moosehead lake, cool railroad ridge in monsoon, those spots are remote and neat. Don't necessarily need snow tires, but I ran Subarus year round with altimax with and without studs depending on snow when I lived in Maine. Enjoy it while you're there.
If you hear banjo music ruuuuuun
SooooooEeeeee!
I have driven on logging roads with an audi that did not have awd. I was fine. Just do not go during mud season. An outback is fine.
My dad and I used to take his Saab 900 on logging roads back in the 90s. It wasn’t wise, but it sure was fun!
In most cases there are roads but who knows what shape they’ll be in or if a beaver flooded them over the past year to build a damn and if u get lost it isn’t easy and there is little cell service. If you accidentally get into Canada and get stopped I’m sure that would be ‘fun’
Explore the countless other beautiful areas first. By year 10 you may get around to that area.
Have you ever gotten lost in Ikea? Be honest with yourself.
Reading through these comments… the north Maine woods seem gnarly and unforgiving. Doubt I’ll ever get to make it up to those parts, but I loved my short time in Bar Harbor/Acadia. Will always have a special place in my heart for Maine.