Uniquely Maine

Explore Maine’s Islands!

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If you love the coast, small town life or exploring the wild side of Maine you’ll love visiting Maine’s unique islands.  Maine has over 4,600 coastal islands with their own unique character and charm.  Visiting an island by ferry makes for a fun day trip anyone will enjoy.

Below is a list of ferry services that will bring you to 18 of our beautiful islands along the Maine coast.  In the Downeast & Acadia region you can visit Great Cranberry Island, Little Cranberry Island (the town of Islesford), Sutton Island, Frenchboro, Isle au Haut and Swan’s Island.  In the Midcoast region you can visit Islesboro, Matinicus Island, Criehaven Island, Monhegan Island, North Haven and Vinalhaven.  In the Southern Maine region you can visit Peaks Island, Little Diamond Island, Great Diamond Island, Long Island, Chebeague Island, and Cliffs Island.   Several of the ferry services listed below also offer scenic cruises, and many allow passenger cars, bicycles, and pets on board.

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Big Eddy, Lower West Branch of the Penobscot River, Maine

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This video shows a beautiful view of a section of the Lower West Branch of the Penobscot River known as “Big Eddy.” It is located just below Ripogenus Gorge off the Golden Road in T3 Rii WELS, not far from Baxter State Park. This is a great example of the untamed beauty of Maine!

Maine Dog Parks- Listed By County

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pupGive your dog a break and a place to run in Maine!  Visit one of the many dog parks and off leash dog areas our state has to offer.  If you know of others that aren’t on this list, please let us know  so we can add them.

 (F) = Fenced, (L) = Leash Required, (P) = Privately Owned

Androscoggin

Robin’s Garden and Dog Park, 55 Strawberry Avenue, Lewiston (F): Open dawn to dusk, 1 acre, Big gazebo for shade, and trees. Mostly covered with wood chips. Lots of big rocks to sit on near shade trees. This dog park has a separate small dog area, chairs, and trees (be sure to bring water for your dog to drink.) Directions: Go to Strawberry lane, follow to end and the park is on the right at end of street.

Aroostook

Deboullie Public Reserved Land, Eagle Lake (L): Pets must be on a leash not exceeding four feet in length and must not be left unattended. Pet owners may be assigned picnic or campsites in a less congested area of the park.

Eagle Lake Public Reserved Land, Eagle Lake (L): Pets must be on a leash not exceeding four feet in length and must not be left unattended. Pet owners may be assigned picnic or campsites in a less congested area of the park.

St. John Valley Trail, Fort Kent (L): Pets must be on a leash not exceeding four feet in length and must not be left unattended. Pet owners may be assigned picnic or campsites in a less congested area of the park.  The trail runs from Fort Kent to St. Francis

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Visit a Maine Fish Hatchery!

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Learn about Maine’s conservation efforts and what it takes to raise many different species of fish by visiting a fish hatchery.  This is a great family activity and is enjoyable to people of all ages!

GREEN LAKE FISH HATCHERY  

This large scale hatchery supports the Atlantic salmon recovery program for Gulf of Maine Rivers, and provides smolts and parr.  The fish are released into the Penobscot River basin, Narraguagus River basin, and the Pleasant River basin.  This hatchery releases 650,000 yearling smolts and 350,000 fall par every year into these basins.

Driving Directions:  

Drive Route 1A north to junction of 1A and Routes 179 and 180.  Bear right onto Routes 179/180, then bear left, remaining on Route 180 where the two routes separate.  Proceed on Route 180 until reaching the Hatchery entrance sign on the left.

Travel time from Ellsworth is about ten minutes.

Visiting Hours:

The Green Lake National Fish Hatchery is open every day from 8:00 AM until 4:00 PM, except for major holidays.  We offer a self-guided tour at any time and, with advance notice, for large groups, a staff member will be available to you.

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