Aroostook County Adventure: Exploring Maine's Crown

Aroostook County—“The County” to Mainers—is larger than Connecticut and Rhode Island combined, yet remains Maine’s best-kept secret. This itinerary explores vast potato fields, Acadian culture, and wilderness that feels like you’ve driven to Canada (which you nearly have).

Day 1: Fort Kent - Where America’s Day Begins

Morning: Fort Kent Blockhouse & Border

• Fort Kent Blockhouse (9am) - Last remaining blockhouse from Aroostook War
• U.S.-Canada Border (10am) - Stand at the international bridge, see Canadian town of Clair across the river
• Northern Maine Museum of Science (11am) - Natural history, indigenous culture

Afternoon: St. John Valley

• Lunch at Swamp Buck Restaurant (12pm) - Local favorite, Acadian poutine
• Drive the St. John Valley (1-3pm) - Follow the river, farm country views
• Acadian Village (Keegan) (3pm) - Preserved historic buildings, Acadian heritage

Evening

• Dinner at Rock’s Diner - Classic diner fare
• Fort Kent Outdoor Center (Optional) - Mountain biking or walking trails
• Lodging: Northern Door Inn - Fort Kent

Highlights: International border, Acadian culture, northernmost town

Day 2: Aroostook State Park & Presque Isle

Morning: Aroostook State Park

• Drive to Presque Isle (45 min)
• Hike Quaggy Jo Mountain (9am-11am) - Maine’s first state park, excellent views of farmland
• Summit views - 360° panorama of The County

Afternoon: Presque Isle & Caribou

• Lunch at Governor’s Restaurant - Local institution
• Maine Solar System Model (self-guided) - Starts in Presque Isle, drive to planets!
• Drive to Caribou (30 min)
• Nylander Museum (2pm) - Geology, fossils, indigenous artifacts

Afternoon: Potato Country

• Maine’s Swedish Colony - Explore New Sweden historical sites
• Swedish Heritage Museum - Immigration history
• Drive through potato fields - Endless vistas

Evening

• Dinner at Jade Palace (Caribou) - Surprisingly good Chinese food
• Caribou downtown walk - Small town charm
• Lodging: Caribou Inn & Convention Center

Highlights: State park hiking, potato farm landscapes, Swedish colony history

Day 3: Baxter State Park (North Gate) & Ashland

Morning: Into the Wilderness

• Drive to Baxter State Park North Gate (Matagamon) (2 hours)
• Stop at Shin Pond - Wilderness checkpoint
• Enter Baxter State Park (9am)

Mid-Morning: Baxter Exploration

• Trout Brook Farm Campground area - Northern section, fewer people than southern entrance
• Nature walk or short hike (10am-12pm):
  • Option: Freezeout Trail (easy, 1.8 miles)
  • Option: Drive Tote Road to viewpoints

Afternoon: Return & Ashland

• Exit park, drive to Ashland (1.5 hours)
• Lunch at Ashland Logging Museum - Picnic grounds
• Ashland Logging Museum (2pm) - Heritage of logging industry
• Big Machias Lake viewpoint

Evening

• Dinner at Depot Street Tap House - Local brews, comfort food
• Walk to Ashland waterfront
• Lodging: Ashland Motor Inn or return to Presque Isle

Highlights: Baxter wilderness (north entrance = solitude), logging history

Day 4: Return South via Scenic Route

Morning: The Long Drive Home

• Route 11 South - Scenic byway through wilderness
• Stop at Eagle Lake - Photo stop
• Portage Lake viewpoint

Late Morning: Millinocket Area

• Arrive Millinocket (11:30am)
• Lunch at Appalachian Trail Cafe - Hiker hangout
• Katahdin views from town

Afternoon: Continue South

• Route 95 South toward Bangor and beyond
• Optional: Bangor stop - Museums, dining, shopping
• Or: Direct return to Southern Maine/departure

Highlights: Wilderness scenic drive, Katahdin views, transition back to civilization

Essential Information

Best Time to Visit

• Summer (June-August): Warmest, longest days, all roads open
• Fall (September-October): Spectacular foliage, potato harvest season
• Winter (January-March): Snowmobiling paradise, extreme cold
• Spring (April-May): Mud season, many roads impassable

Getting There

• By Car: Only practical option, 4+ hours from Portland
• By Air: Presque Isle has small airport (limited service)
• Rental Car: Essential, book in advance (limited options)

What to Pack

• Gas up frequently - Stations far apart
• Snacks & water - Long distances between towns
• Warm layers - Even summer nights are cool
• Bug spray - Mosquitoes in summer
• Cash - Some places don’t take cards
• Paper maps - Cell service very spotty

Dining Notes

• Limited options - Towns are small
• Closing times early - 7-8pm common
• Sunday closures - Many businesses closed
• Acadian cuisine - Try poutine, tourti\u00e8re, ployes

Cultural Notes

• Acadian French - Many residents speak French
• Friendly people - Wave to everyone
• Slower pace - Don’t be in a hurry
• Agriculture focus - Respect working farmland
• Border crossing - Bring passport if considering Canada side trip

Budget Estimate

• Lodging: $400-600 (4 nights, budget to mid-range)
• Meals: $200-300 (mix of casual dining)
• Gas: $150-200 (significant driving)
• Activities: $50-100 (museums, parks)
• Total: $800-1200 per person (based on 2 people sharing)

Alternative Activities

If You Have More Time

• Cross to Canada - Madawaska/Edmundston day trip (passport required)
• Allagash Wilderness Waterway - Multi-day canoe trip
• Fish Aroostook rivers - Brook trout, salmon
• Mountain biking - Fort Kent network

Winter Alternative

This itinerary is EXCELLENT in winter for:

• Snowmobiling - ITS trail network throughout
• Cross-country skiing - Fort Kent trails
• Ice fishing - Many lakes
• Northern lights viewing - Dark skies, northern latitude

Why Visit Aroostook County?

This isn’t for everyone. There are no fancy restaurants, no luxury hotels, no tourist attractions with gift shops. But if you want to see the Maine that time forgot, where farming is still the backbone, where French is spoken as often as English, where wilderness isn’t just protected—it’s everywhere—then The County delivers.

You’ll drive for miles seeing only potato fields and sky. You’ll stand at the border and realize how far north you’ve come. You’ll meet genuinely friendly people who are surprised and delighted you bothered to visit.

Aroostook County is Maine for people who think they’ve already seen Maine. It’s not. This is different. This is vast. This is real.