Sandy Stream trail by MissingLynx/NRCM
Located directly east of Baxter State Park, the Millinocket Forest presents visitors with some quality recreational opportunities and great views of Katahdin. With the help of funds from the Land for Maine’s Future program, the Trust for Public Land (TPL) purchased the 5,061-acre Sandy Stream property in 2011, which they then conveyed to the Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands (BPL). In the same year, TPL also helped the Maine BPL purchase a conservation easement on the 2,849-acre Mud Brook property.
These two parcels were the focus of conservation efforts for several different reasons. First, they both provide critical links on the Interconnected Trail System, a popular network of more than 4,000 miles of snowmobile trails that run throughout Maine. Second, these two properties are important to the local forest product industries, and the parcels are thus being preserved to help ensure that the forest remains economically viable.
Finally, the parcels were the focus of conservation efforts because of their proximity to Katahdin and Baxter State Park. This area offers some of the most breathtaking natural scenery in New England, and its preservation is crucial to the tourism industry of the local community. Therefore, conserving the surrounding lands like Millinocket Forest will help make sure that future generations can enjoy the beauty of the Baxter State Park region.
Closest Town: T2 R8 WELS / T3 R7 WELS
Activities: Hiking, Snowmobiling, Wildlife Watching, Nature Study, Snowshoeing, ATVing
Region: Maine Highlands – Piscataquis, Penobscot
Acreage: 7,910
Directions: From Millinocket, head north on Bates Street before turning right on Staceyville Road. Follow that up for about 12 miles before continuing on to Hauling Road 1.
