Northern Maine is the least crowded corner of the eastern United States: potato fields and river valleys along the Canadian border, and millions of acres of working forest to the south and west. Winters are long, distances are big, and the people are famously welcoming. This guide explains what counts as northern Maine, what is there, when to go, and what living here is like, with links to our detailed guides for each part.
What Counts as Northern Maine?
There is no official line, but most people mean two connected areas. The first is Aroostook County, the state’s northernmost county, which borders Quebec and New Brunswick. The second is the North Woods to its south and west, which takes in the northern parts of Penobscot, Piscataquis and Somerset counties. Locals often call Aroostook simply “The County.”
Northern Maine at a Glance
- Aroostook County population: 67,105 in the 2020 census.
- Size: 6,828 square miles of total area, which Wikipedia lists as the second-largest county east of the Mississippi River.
- County seat: Houlton, with county offices also in Caribou and Fort Kent.
- Largest communities: Presque Isle (8,797) and Caribou (7,396).
- Highest point in the county: Peaked Mountain, at 2,230 feet.
- The North Maine Woods: more than 3.5 million acres of forest in 155 unincorporated townships, with no towns and no paved roads.
- Northernmost village: Estcourt Station, the northernmost village in Maine and New England.
The Main Areas
- Central Aroostook. Presque Isle, Caribou and Houlton anchor the farm country. Potatoes are the best-known crop, and the county is also an emerging hub for wind power. See our Aroostook County guide and our things to do in Presque Isle.
- The St. John Valley. Towns like Fort Kent, Madawaska and Van Buren run along the St. John River, which forms the border with New Brunswick. This part of Maine has a strong Acadian heritage and its own flavor.
- The North Woods. Lakes, rivers and mountains, with Moosehead Lake, Baxter State Park and the Allagash. See our guide to North Woods and Moosehead Lake.
Things to Do in Northern Maine
- Stand at the start of U.S. Route 1. Fort Kent is home to “America’s First Mile,” where Route 1 begins its run down the coast to Key West. The Fort Kent Block House is nearby.
- Visit Four Corners Park in Madawaska. Maine.gov describes it as one of only four such parks in the country, and visitors can sign its guest book. Madawaska is the most northeastern town in the United States.
- Drive Route 11. This designated scenic highway runs from Sherman to Fort Kent, with a view of Mount Katahdin from Patten and Eagle Lake along the way. Watch for moose and deer crossing the road.
- Hike at Aroostook State Park. It is in Presque Isle and has hiking trails.
- Explore the national monument. Katahdin Woods and Waters covers about 87,000 acres east of Baxter State Park and was designated in 2016.
- Climb Katahdin. Read our Baxter State Park and Katahdin guide before you go, since parking and day-use rules are strict.
- Paddle the Allagash. The Allagash and St. John rivers are both designated wild rivers. Many roads in the North Maine Woods are private and need a permit, which our road permit guide explains.
- Cool off at Portage Lake. It has a public beach, and a hilltop north of Ashland looks over the Fish River chain of lakes.
- Take U.S. Route 1A through Amish country along the Aroostook River.
When to Go
Fall color is the big draw. Maine’s forest service puts peak foliage in northern Maine (its Zones 6 and 7, which include Fort Kent, Caribou and Presque Isle) in the last week of September and the first week of October, earlier than on the coast. Our Jackman foliage guide covers the western end of the North Woods. Summer is the season for lakes, rivers and trails, and fall also brings hunting seasons. Winter is long and snowy, which suits snowmobiling and cross-country skiing but means fewer services are open, so plan ahead.
Distances are large and cell service can drop out in the woods, so fill the gas tank when you can and tell someone your plans before heading onto backroads.
Living in Northern Maine
Aroostook County’s economy grew up on potatoes, lumber and, for decades, Loring Air Force Base, which closed in 1994. Today agriculture, forestry and wind power matter most, and the population is small and spread out. If you are weighing a move, our guide to southern versus northern Maine compares the two, and our overview of moving to Maine covers the basics. For prices by county, see the Maine housing market guide, and if you are ready to buy, read buying a house in Maine. To see where the region’s two biggest communities rank statewide, check our list of Maine’s cities.
Northern Maine FAQ
What is considered northern Maine?
There is no official boundary. Most people mean Aroostook County plus the North Woods of northern Penobscot, Piscataquis and Somerset counties.
Is northern Maine the same as Aroostook County?
Not quite. Aroostook is the heart of northern Maine, but the North Woods region south and west of it is also usually included.
What is the largest city in northern Maine?
Presque Isle, with 8,797 people in the 2020 census. Caribou is next, with 7,396.
When is fall foliage in northern Maine?
Peak color usually arrives in the last week of September and the first week of October.
Why is northern Maine so sparsely populated?
Much of the region is working forest with no towns. Aroostook County has about 67,000 people spread over more than 6,800 square miles, and the economy there has long depended on farming, forestry and a military base that closed in 1994.