INTRODUCTION

Welcome to the North Maine Woods - Multiple Ownership - Multiple Use Management Area. The private forest landowners and state governmental agencies cooperating in this program are pleased you have chosen to visit our web site. It is designed to help you have a safe and pleasant trip in the area, plus provide you with valuable information on forest resource management and recreational use.

The area provides numerous outdoor recreational opportunities for over 100,000 visitors each year while at the same time providing renewable forest resources which are a major part of Maine's economy. Harvesting wood products and providing recreation are compatible if managed properly. Providing proper management of day use and camping is the main goal of the North Maine Woods organization.

IMPORTANT NEWS, INFORMATION AND CURRENT CONDITIONS FOR VISITORS

  • Maine Forest Service Road Damage Map - posted on 5/14/2008


    Map of Forest Service Assessed Road Damage in PDF

  • ROAD CONDITIONS & CLOSURES - posted on 5/14/2008
    NOTICE!!!

    The rainfall of April 29th combined with melting snow pack caused flooding problems in northern Maine. You have read about the damage caused in Fort Kent and other communities. Water runoff also washed out hundreds of culverts and damaged several dozen major bridge crossings on private roads in the forests of northern Maine.

    Roads were most severely impacted in townships east and west of Oxbow township extending west to the Allagash River and north to the American Realty Road. North of the American Realty Road, damage extended west to the St. John River, east to Route 11 and from there all the way north towards Estcourt, St. Francis and Fort Kent. Water crossings at Umsaskis and Henderson Brook on the Allagash River are still under water and indications are the bridges may not be passable for some time. Although roads in the southern parts of North Maine Woods did not receive as much damage, the causeway across the west end of Seboomook Lake is impassable.

    Landowners, members of the Maine Warden Service and Maine Forest Service Rangers have been reporting locations where passage is not possible and, with mapping capabilities provided by Joe Mints of the Maine Forest Service, we have mapped this information as a service to the public. This is a dynamic situation with road repairs taking place daily so information on the web site will be updated on Mondays and Fridays until conditions are somewhat back to normal.

    There are significant safety issues related to this event. Water has undermined many roads leaving only the top few inches of road surface remaining. Many bridges have also suffered unnoticeable structural damage. Passing over these road sections and unstable bridges can cause cave-ins, vehicle damage and serious personal injury. Please consider this message to serve as notice that travel in the NMW will be at your own risk.

    Due to these safety concerns, and to hasten the repair process, we are closing the American Realty Road and Fish River/Big Brook road systems to public travel until at least Memorial Weekend. Frost is still coming out of the ground causing unstable road surfaces- vehicle travel will only make conditions worse. If we can keep unnecessary traffic off road systems, this will allow crews to do their job without interruption. If you have questions about a specific road, please feel welcome to contact us at the info@northmainewoods.org and we will do our best to help you.

    Forest roads south of the damaged region are in better than average condition for this time of year, so there are still many other opportunities to enjoy the North Maine Woods.

    Download Road List w/ Conditions in PDF Format