New trails to try.

The Maine Trail Riders do a lot as a group from organized trailrides to horse shows and parades. But what do you do on other days? Where do you ride to get your horse fit so you will be prepared for a four to six hour ride? Tired of the same old backyard trail? Looking for new and interesting places to go?

We're hoping you will share your knowlege of marked trails that allow horses and have safe and ample parking areas. Please email me with:

• The name of the Park or area.
• Directions to the area.
• Description of what you know about the area such as, are the trails shared with motorized vehicles, is there water available, is riding time restricted to certian times of the year. What ever you think might be helpful.

I will try to keep them in alphebetical order by town location.

Several of the following sites were found on Maine's Bureau of Parks and Lands web site. The information was copied to this location for easy access.

Location:  East Cornith

Crittwoods in East Cornith , Maine , go to critterwoods.com and they have all the information you need , call and talk to Gary or his wife Jean , they are open to having horses on the trails.

Location: Aroostook County

Operation Dates Year-round

Facilities 75 miles of trails open for shared use. Access Rating Access information is not available.

Contact:

Telephone Bureau of Parks and Lands
Off-road Vehicle Division
22 SHS
Augusta, ME 04333
(207) 287-4957

Site: Bradbury Mountian

Location: Situated on Route 9 about halfway between Portland and Lewiston-Auburn, the park attracts visitors who enjoy picnicking, hiking and camping on its 590 acres of forested land. Bradbury Mountain is the only state park in southern Maine to offer shared-use trails for horseback riders, mountain bikers and snowmobilers. Snow shoe rentals are available.

Description Bradbury Mountain State Park is a wonderful place to spend a day or afternoon exploring trails, taking in the magnificent view from the summit, or enjoying a picnic under a canopy of trees. One of the original five state parks, Bradbury Mountain was acquired by the Federal government in 1939.

Sculpted by a glacier, Bradbury Mountain is the park's most outstanding natural feature. Today the park's forest is home to a wide variety of plants and animals. Fall is a busy time at the park when visitors watch migrating hawks and eagles ride the thermals and enjoy the views of fall foliage from the summit.
Location Pownal, five miles from the Freeport-Durham exit off U.S. 95

Operation Dates Open All Year, 9 am - Sunset, Fee Charged

Facilities 590 acres; picnic area and shelter, playground, ballfield, trails are open for mountain biking, horseback riding snowshoeing, snowmobiling and cross-country skiing, 41 campsites.

Access Rating - Limited Access
Telephone Bradbury Mountain State Park
528 Hallowell Road
Pownal, ME 04069
(207) 688-4712

Site: Lake George Regional Park

Location: Off Route 2, Canaan

Ample parking. Horses are not allowed in the beach area of Lake George Regional Park during the summer but there are more than 125 acres with trails on each side of the lake.

Site: The Kennebec Valley Trail

Location: From Embden through Solon to Bingham.

Description The Kennebec Valley Trail consists of 14 miles of spectacular views that take riders along the edge of the Kennebec River from Embden through Solon to Bingham. This route includes the historic Arnold Trail on the Kennebec River.

Riders find a hard gravel surface on the trail that is open for year-round use.

Operation Dates Year-round
Facilities Trails open for shared use

Telephone Bureau of Parks and Lands
Off-road Vehicle Division
22 SHS
Augusta, ME 04333
(207) 287-4957

Site: The St. John Valley Trail

Location: Fort Kent through St. John to St. Francis

Description The St. John Valley Trail takes riders 18 miles from Fort Kent through St. John to St. Francis. Riders tour the countryside to experience rolling hills, farmland and several miles along the edge of the St. John River. While the trail is located near highways, users get a sense of remoteness. The trail is open year round for multiple use.

Operation Dates Year round

Facilities Trails open for shared use
Telephone Bureau of Parks and Lands
Off-road Vehicle Division
22 SHS
Augusta, ME 04333
(207) 287-4957

Site: The Houlton to Phair Junction trail.

Location: Houlton

Description The Houlton to Phair Junction trail is 40 miles long and extends from Houlton through the towns of Monticello, Bridgewater, Mars Hill, and loops through the southern edge of Presque Isle. Riders will find a hard gravel surface that is occasionally shared with logging trucks; riders should be aware of other vehicles on the trail and should yield right of way.

The Houlton trail winds through forestland, small northern Maine communities and is open year-round for multiple use.

Facilities Trails open for shared use

Telephone Bureau of Parks and Lands
Off-road Vehicle Division
22 SHS
Augusta, ME 04333
(207) 287-4957

Site: Jay to Farmington Trail

Location: Franklin County, Jay

Description The Jay to Farmington Trail is 14 miles in length and crosses the scenic western hills of Maine. Overall, the trail surface is gravel but mountain bikers should note that several sections consist of a sandy soil that makes biking difficult. True to the location, the western hills offer beautiful views of rolling hills with a rural farmland flavor. The trail is in close proximity to several highways and communities. The trail is open year-round for multiple use.

Operation Dates Year round
Facilities Trails open for shared use

Telephone Bureau of Parks and Lands
Off-road Vehicle Division
22 SHS
Augusta, ME 04333
(207) 287-4957

Site: Frye Mountain Game Preserve

Location: Route 220, Montville

Ample parking.

Site: Lagrange to Medford trail

Location: Lagrange, Medford Center

Description This 12 mile trail runs from South Lagrange to Medford Center. The property is leased from the Bangor & Aroostook Railroad for year-round, multiple use. Riders will find a hard gravel surface that travels through rural Maine with nice scenery of forests and farmland.

Operation Dates All year

Facilities Trail open for hikers and riders of ATVs, snowmobiles and horses.

Telephone Bureau of Parks and Lands
Off-Road Vehicle Division
22 SHS
Augusta, ME 04333
(207) 287-4957

Site: Turner Game Preserve

Location: Center Bridge Road, Turner

There is a free riding area in Turner at the Turner Game Preserve which is located on Center Bridge Road Turner. It is a multi use trail so there are hikers, bikers and 4 wheelers. Large parking area and free to ride, terraine is rocky gravel, there are a couple of water crossings and good bridges.

Directions from Augusta: Take Route 202 South to Greene. Take right onto Allen Pond Road (flashing light) and follow till you come to the Androscoggin River. Cross the large metal Bridge. Parking will be less than ½ mile on the left after boat launch and inlet.

Directions from Auburn, Livermore etc: Take Route 4 north or south to Turner. Take Route 117 at flashing light into Turner center. Follow to stop sign (shcreps store on the corner) To straight onto Center Bridge Road. Parking is a couple of miles up road on Right.

Fee charged.

Site: Mt. Blue State Park

Location: Location Fourteen miles northwest from Wilton off Maine Route 156 in Weld

Description Spectacular views of Mt. Blue and surrounding mountains ring this lakeside park that boasts a wide variety of activities for park visitors year-round. Located in the mountainous region of western Maine, Mt. Blue State Park offers a visitors an extensive network of trails, a sandy beach, popular camping area, boat launch and picnic area.

Picturesque Webb Beach is an ideal location for beach-going enthusiasts. Nearby Center Hill Area is a scenic picnic spot that provides access to nature trails and extensive multiple use trails that are open to hikers, mountain bikers, and ATV and horseback riders. Children enjoy a visit to the park's Nature Center where hands-on exhibits and displays provide entertainment on rainy afternoons. Evening programs for campers take place in the park's amphitheater.

Moose and other wildlife live in and around the park. From the common grey and red squirrels to the more elusive black bear and coyote, a host of other animals also frequent Mt. Blue State Park.

Operation Dates Year-round, Fee Charged

Facilities 5,021 acres; campground; sand beach with bathhouse; hot showers; flush toilets; boat launch; amphitheater, and nature center. The Adirondack shelters are available for large group use, and canoes may be rented. The park maintains cross-country ski trails, a major snowmobile trail, and an ice rink during the winter.

Telephone Mt. Blue State Park
299 Center Hill Rd
Weld, ME 04285
Park season: (207) 585-2347
Off-season (207) 585-2261