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Access & Maps

Wildlands Access Points / Directions / Parking

The 5100-acre Wildlands encompasses several small mountain peaks, numerous streams and frontage on the Dead River and Hothole Pond. A network of gravel roads provides vehicle access and is open to walking, running, biking, horseback riding and snowmobiling.  A variety of trails, easy to strenuous, will guide you to special views and other places off the beaten path. Access is free. In the Biodiversity Protection Zone, wildlife habitat is the priority. People are welcome, but please walk your dog on one of the many other trails in the Wildlands. Refer to Using the Wildlands: activities, information and guidelines

Access Points:

There are four trailheads where you can park and enter the Wildlands.

South Trailhead:  Link to Map The gate and the parking lot are on US Route 1 on the opposite side and 100 yards west of the Rt 1- Rt 176 intersection in East Orland. It is 8 miles east of McDonalds in Bucksport or 11 miles west from the intersection of Rt 1 and Rt 1A in Ellsworth. Street address: 1574 Acadia Highway.

North Trailhead: Link to Map From H.O.M.E. on Route 1 in Orland, at the top of the hill, take Upper Falls Road north for 4 miles. Turn right on Bald Mountain Road. Go about 3 miles to the Wildlands North Gate (Valley Road) on the right. It’s about .3 miles west of the intersection of Bald Mtn Rd and Winkumpaugh Road. Plug this “plus” address into your gps: J9H2+RQ Orland, Maine. Parking lot is 1.3 miles in at Baker Brook

Dead River Trailhead: Link to Map Foot, Bicycle, Horse access. On the Don Fish Road 0.5 mi. past Craig Brook National Fish Hatchery, this gate accesses the west side of the Wildlands; parking available; horse trailer parking at Hatchery. Turn off US Route 1 in East Orland onto Hatchery Road, following signs for Craig Brook National Fish Hatchery. Go 1.4 miles to the Hatchery and continue another .6 miles, through the gate onto the gravel Don Fish Road. The Wildlands gate and parking lot are on the left. Street address:  24 Don Fish Trail, Orland, ME

Mountain Trailhead: Link to Map Foot access only. It is .5 miles past the Dead River Gate (see above), with parking on the right. Street Address: 70 Don Fish Trail, Orland, ME 

Dead River & Mtn Trailheads note:

In April/May the yellow gate just after the Fish Hatchery, on Don Fish Road, is frequently closed because the road is soft and vulnerable to damage. Please do not open the gate, but park in the  Hatchery lot and walk in. The gate will be opened when the road is stable again.

Wildlands West Trailhead Link to Map
From the south (Route 1, etc.)
At H.O.M.E. and intersection of US Route 1 and Upper Falls Road (Flashing light) in Orland, go north on Upper Falls Road. At 1.5 miles, you cross the Narramissic River and in another .25 miles Duck Cove Road comes in from the left and the road becomes Mast Hill Road. Go 2.1 miles to a small turnout on the right. Street Address: J7CX+W89 Bucksport, Maine or 445 Mast Hill Road, Bucksport.

“One-Minute Hikes” – videos by Aislinn Sarnacki, Bangor Daily News