Aroostook County
Aroostook. A Micmac word meaning “beautiful river.” This magnificent river flows through a verdant valley and county – all sharing the same name.
Aroostook County, Maine is certainly big enough for all your outdoor adventuring. In fact, it’s the largest county in any state east of the Mississippi. And as if the 112-mile-long Aroostook River isn’t enough, it is also home to the epic 92-mile Allagash Wilderness Waterway.
What not to do here? Aroostook boasts over 2,000 miles of groomed, mapped and gorgeous snowmobile trails – bring your own or rent one. International world-class athletes come to Presque Isle to compete in cross-country skiing and biathlon events. Other things to do in The County (what locals call it) include hunting, fishing, birdwatching and you can do it all with choice accommodations nearby.
Hotels in Presque Isle and Caribou – the most northeastern city in the U.S. – provide comfortable landing pads after a day out under the sun. Sporting camps and lodges are in high demand up here, too, like in Fort Kent, located at the tippy-top of Maine.
Explore a map of Aroostook County, Maine here.
Featured Experiences
Snowmobiling and ATVing
The numbers jump out at you. Over 2,000 miles of groomed, mapped and gorgeous snowmobile trails. Over 1,000 miles of well-maintained ATV trails. It all adds up to spectacular outdoor adventure, the kind folks want to experience again and again.
Golfing
The Aroostook Valley Country Club is home to the country’s only truly international golf course, with one part of the club and course on the Canadian side of the border and the other in the U.S. Don’t worry. It’s impossible to shank a ball badly enough to cause an international incident. Though a few have come close.
Seasonal Events
Aroostook stages World- and National-Cup-level cross-country skiing and biathlon events each winter. And, if it’s the middle of summer and you’re in New Sweden, the Midsommar Festival will be dancing all around you. Belly up to the smorgasbord and save room for the sticky chocolate cake.
Other Things To Do
Arts and Culture
Throughout the region, you’ll find the history of the Acadian (French-American) culture, including the Acadian Landing, also known as the Acadian Cross Historic Shrine, near the town of Madawaska. In the town itself, make sure to visit the Tante Blanche Museum, a 1770s log building named for Marguerite Blanche Thibodeau Cyr in honor of her heroic efforts during the famine of 1797.
On the Water
Cascading through Aroostook is the Allagash Wilderness Waterway, a 92-mile-long natural wonder of lakes, rivers and streams with great camping, hunting, fishing and canoeing. And while Aroostook is well populated with moose, there’s another important denizen of the area. They’re the folks who call “The County” their home and who’d love to make your acquaintance and tell you some of the tales of their storybook towns.
A vast and timeless swath of America open for exploring.
Places To Visit
Fort Fairfield
Once known as “the Potato Capitol of the World,” Fort Fairfield welcomes the world to its annual Maine Potato Blossom Festival. The Aroostook River winds through the area, with great outdoor recreation year-round.
Van Buren
Named for President Martin Van Buren, the community reflects its unique Acadian heritage, with French a commonly heard language. Whatever language you’re welcomed with, enjoy an inside look at history and great outdoor adventure.
Houlton
The Shiretown of Aroostook, Houlton’s history is evident through its opulent Victorian homes, architecture, and bustling National Historic District known as Market Square. Here you will find Maine’s oldest cinema – Temple Theater.
Madawaska
Maine’s northern-most town offers a true-north historical view of the St. John River valley. Maine’s native peoples navigated the river, as did French settlers. Visitors today discover year-round adventure on the Four Seasons Trails.
Presque Isle
Aroostook County’s largest city, Presque Isle, is also home to the largest object in the county’s 40-mile-long scale model solar system — the sun. The actual version smiles down on four seasons of recreational fun at Aroostook State Park and Echo Island.
Fort Kent
At the Fort Kent Historic Site, you’ll learn about the Maine-Canada border dispute and Aroostook War. No actual battles occurred, and today everyone is happy, especially folks who enjoy great outdoor fun in sun, snow and fall colors.
Caribou
America’s northeastern-most city is a top spot for embarking on Maine’s 1,600 miles of interconnected snowmobile trails and for enjoying all-season adventure on the Aroostook Valley Trail. In town, don’t miss the Nylander Museum of Natural History.
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