Location: Township X Range 14 WELS and Township 2 Range 13 WELS, east of Moosehead Lake, Piscataquis County Description: The Big Spencer Mountain parcel contains Big Spencer Mountain (3,230 feet), which towers over Spencer Bay on Moosehead Lake’s eastern shore. The mountain’s fire tower was active for nearly 85 years, until 1991. The 4,242-acre parcel is part Read More
Public Reserved Land & Ecological Reserves
These Public Reserved Lands include ecological reserves, which were created to protect habitat, do research & education, and to protect important species.
Bigelow Preserve Public Reserved Land
Location: Near Stratton, Franklin County Description: The Bigelow Preserve, the area of which totals 36,000 acres, is bounded on its north by Flagstaff Lake, a 20,000-acre lake, and includes all seven summits of the Bigelow Range, including 4,150-foot West Peak. The Appalachian Trail crosses through part of the Bigelow Preserve. Flagstaff Lake is also part of the Northern Read More
Chamberlain Lake Public Reserved Land/Lock Dam
Location: In and around Township 7, Range 12 WELS, 30 miles northwest of Baxter State Park, Piscataquis County Description: Chamberlain Lake Public Reserved Land is a group of parcels along the large lakes that form the southern end of the Allagash Wilderness Waterway. The parcels include the 2,890-acre Chamberlain Lake Ecological Reserve. Ecological Reserves serve to protect Read More
Cutler Coast Public Reserved Land
Location: Cutler, 20 miles east of Machias, Washington County Description: The varied landscape of the 12,234-acre Cutler Coast Public Reserved Land unit shifts between peatlands, woodlands, and blueberry barrens along the cliffs of the stunning “Bold Coast,” overlooking the Bay of Fundy. The parcel includes 5,216 acres that are part of the state’s Ecological Reserve System due Read More
Deboullie Public Reserved Land
Location: Township 15, Range 9 WELS, about 30 miles southwest of Fort Kent, Aroostook County Description: Deboullie is the French word for “rock slide.” The 21,871-acre Deboullie Public Reserved Land unit is named for the rock slides found on the low, rugged mountains located on the southeastern corner quarter of the unit. Hikers enjoy exploring Deboullie Mountain’s historic Read More
Duck Lake Public Reserved Land
Location: Just south of Lakeville, northern Hancock County Description: The Duck Lake unit is comprised of more than 27,000 acres, just to the east of Grand Lake Stream. The unit contains Duck Lake and Gassahias Lake, which offer fishing, boating, swimming, camping, and snowmobiling opportunities. An Ecological Reserve has been established on the eastern portion of the unit Read More
Gero Island Public Reserved Land
Location: Chesuncook Township, Piscataquis County Description: The Gero Island Public Reserved Land unit is comprised of the majority of Gero Island in Chesuncook Lake, as well as most of the historic Chesuncook Village on the mainland, southwest of the island. Chesuncook Village was settled in 1849 by Ansel A. Smith as a logging outfit. The water access Read More
Great Heath Public Reserved Land
Location: In Township 18 MD, north of Cherryfield, Washington County Description: The Great Heath is one of the largest peatland systems in Maine. The entirety of the state-owned portion of the Great Heath was designated as an Ecological Reserve in 2001 to protect Maine’s biological diversity, among other purposes. It is an excellent example of a domed Read More
Mahoosuc Public Reserved Land
Location: West of Newry, Oxford County Description: The Mahoosuc Public Reserved Land unit includes the entire Mahoosuc Range, which features some of Maine’s most challenging and beautiful mountains, including the 4,180-foot Old Speck. A receding glacier 12,000 years ago created the Mahoosuc Range and what is commonly known to be 12 of the most difficult miles of Read More
