Aroostook State Park Hiking
Location: Presque Isle
Region: Aroostook County
Activity: Hiking
In northern Maine’s Aroostook State Park, a few hours of spirited hiking will reward you with some great views and the bragging rights for bagging a couple of (small) mountain peaks.
The park, Maine’s first state park, contains stubby Quaggy Jo Mountain, which stands some 1,200 feet over the forests, lakes and fields of the county. About three miles of trail loops up and down the little mountain. These trails are short and steep but well-marked. Plan on a couple hours to hike the loop that includes both North and South Peaks of Quaggy Jo.
To bag both summits in a single hike, trail vets recommend starting with the taller, steeper South Peak trail. The trail climbs through the trees on sometimes-rocky, technical terrain, so be sure to take care. Once on top, hikers will find some communications towers as well as open spots offering wonderful views. From there, take the linked Ridge Trail. True to its name, this trail runs the ridge between the two summits—and provides another overlook. After about a mile, hikers arrive at the shorter North Peak for even more vistas. It’s recommended hikers head down on the North Peak trail, since it is far less steep than that on South Peak.
Check with the park website and Maine Trail Finder for more information on this hike and others in this gem of the North.
Driving Distance:
From Bangor: 155 Miles
From Lewiston/Auburn: 265 Miles
From Portland: 285 Miles
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