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Maine Hiking|Nature|On The Water

The Remote Hike To Eagle Lake In Maine Winds Through An Old Growth Forest

By Michelle | Published March 30, 2020

Maine has an incredible history, but not all of it involves old buildings and attractions. Our nature holds stories of the state’s histories and these areas are free and easy to explore. Many areas reveal evidence of glaciers and the ice age. Others show old structures built out of local stones. But one of the most interesting are Old Growth Forests located in the more rural part of Maine.

Old growth forests can be found all over the world, including America. The trees have been allowed to grow, uninterrupted for centuries. They owe their freedom to the fact that many of them are located in hard-to-reach places. More rural areas have less need for deforestation, which means these areas have thrived.

To find one of the best in Maine, head to The County! Aroostook County has some of the best examples in the state and they’ve been here since at least the 1700s!

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Specifically, you’ll want to find the town of Eagle Lake. Here you’ll find the Eagle Lake Old-Growth Forest Area opposite the southeast end of Pillsbury Island.

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The area comprises about 100-acres, making it the largest old-growth forest in Maine.

The forest here is absolutely incredible! Walk along the trail here and you’ll find pines that are over three feet around, towering at least 130-feet into the air.

And we’re not the only ones who think this is a great trip. American author, Henry David Thoreau, canoed across Eagle Lake on his way to Pillsbury Island in 1857. In order to do this, it’s believed that he made his way through this forest.

Continue for 6 miles down the lake and you’ll find the "Ziegler Site." This 8-acre region is another smaller area of old-growth white pine. And beneath these pines you’ll find sugar maples that are believed to be about 180-years-old! You’ll also see white birch, northern white cedar, and red spruce trees.

While this region of Maine might not be in your backyard, visiting is worth the trip if you love Maine’s nature and history!

Old-growth forests are fascinating. To learn more about the ones here in Maine check out maine.gov.

Now that you’ve got tall trees on the brain, how about explore a tall bridge? The tallest, most impressive bridge in Maine can be found in the town of Prospect.

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Pillsbury Island, Northwest Piscataquis, ME, USA