Snowmobiling

Across the rolling farm fields and deep woodlands of northern Maine, snowmobiling in Aroostook County follows an interconnected trail network kept in riding condition by 33 local clubs. Long-distance riders navigate key corridors like ITS 83 and ITS 85 to reach the Canadian border, while repurposed rail corridors overseen by the Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands Off-Road Recreational Vehicle Office provide steady routes between communities. The 28-mile Aroostook Valley Trail repurposes the historic electric railroad corridor to link Presque Isle, Washburn, Woodland, Caribou, and New Sweden, winding along streams and the Aroostook River. Meanwhile, the 61-mile Bangor and Aroostook Trail spans two sections connecting Mapleton, Washburn, Stockholm, Caribou, and Van Buren, while its southern 37-mile corridor stretches between Houlton and Phair Junction through Monticello, Bridgewater, and Mars Hill.

Staging areas make getting onto the snow straightforward throughout the region. Snowmobilers can trailer in and park at the lit lot connecting the Aroostook Centre Mall and Lowe's in Presque Isle to jump on ITS 88, or access ITS 83 as it routes through Aroostook State Park beneath Quaggy Jo Mountain. Riders in Caribou can pull into the Otter Brook lot for ITS 90 or park along Aldrich Drive to meet the Bangor and Aroostook Trail, while Washburn provides access from Mill Pond Park. Farther north and west, trails branch out from designated spots like the Portage Lake Park and Ride for ITS 85, Lonesome Pine Trails in Fort Kent, the Madawaska Snowmobile Club, and the Route 1 and Main Street lot in Van Buren connecting to ITS 81.

Out on the trail, the landscape constantly unfolds into wide scenic terrain. Riding ITS 88 follows the Aroostook River for roughly 50 miles between Fort Fairfield and Ashland, revealing views toward Mount Katahdin on clear days, while near Monticello's Bangor and Aroostook trestle bridge, Number 9 Mountain offers another view looking west toward Katahdin. Along the northern edge, the 17-mile St. John Valley Heritage Trail gravel railbed tracks the St. John River between Fort Kent and St. Francis with views into New Brunswick, while Madawaska riders can visit an International View picnic area. Along ITS 81 between Limestone and Van Buren, the Border Trail runs alongside 3-foot granite boundary markers separating the United States and Canada, passing near the former Loring Air Force Base where the Limestone SnoHawks maintain a route directly to the historic 1940s-era arch hangar.

This continuous system relies heavily on the dedication of local volunteers and landowner generosity, such as in Fort Fairfield where eighty percent of the trails cross private property. Clubs like the Eagle Lake Winter Riders care for over 75 miles extending toward Carter Brook, Portage Lake, and Pushineer Pond, while the Moosetown Riders maintain 87 miles in the Allagash region reaching Deboullie, Chamberlain Market, Estcourt Station, and Glazier Lake. Beyond trail riding, community events bring riders together all winter long. Caribou celebrates with the multi-day SnowBowl winter festival, snocross and drag racing at Spud Speedway, and pre-1975 vintage machines competing in the annual Mega Meltdown, while Island Falls gathers racers at Va-Jo-Wa Golf Course for the Tame the Track Tour to benefit local charities and trail grooming.