Information and Guidelines
Uses of the Wildlands include hiking, jogging, bicycling, horseback riding, geocaching, letterboxing, fishing, hunting, photography, nature study, paddling, picnicking, berry-picking, x-c skiing, snowshoeing, and snowmobiling. Need a map? Visit our Access & Maps page.
Birding:
The Wildlands is home to more than 150 bird species. Go here for bird list and other information
Camping:
We have three fee, reservation-only, walk- in, bike-in, paddle-in campsites: Mitchville, Baker Brook, and Cedar.
Please click here for more info and to reserve your site.
Hiking:
Two hiking-orientated maps are available as downloads or from the office Access and Maps
Dogs:
Allowed on leash only; please protect the wildlife! Thanks for removing feces from trails, roads and parking lot. Please note: Dogs are not allowed in the Wildlife Protection Zone, a roughly 1000-acre area where the management priority is protecting wildlife habitat. It includes Hothole Brook, Hothole Pond, Coywolf, Bump Hill, and Birding Trails.
Geocaching:
Have a GPS unit and want to try geocaching? Go to http://www.geocaching.com for Wildlands caches. If you want to place a cache, please contact us first about it.
Letterboxing:
Biking:
Please stay on multi-use trails and avoid foot-travel-only trails, or our 2 mountain bike specific trails:
- Popple Grove: .3-mile beginner loop, in .25-miles from the South Gate
- Capstone Trail: this purpose built trail continues to expand and currently has 3 miles of the best trail in the area! Riders will find lots of flavor with berms, rock drops, fast descents and old school feel. Approach from Dead River parking lot/ trailhead either by riding the Dead River road to Connector trail, or Don Fish Road to Connector trail south, which starts at the Mountain Trailhead with the Stuart Gross hiking trail, but immediately bears left to a new Connector climbing trail.
Horseback riding:
Multi-use gravel roads and the Hillside Trail are open to horses. Please avoid foot-travel-only trails. Remove droppings from parking lots. Limited horse trailer parking is available at the South Trailhead, depending on the number of other vehicles. When the Gate is open, on a weekend schedule annouced in the spring, parking is available along the Valley Road or at other designated places. Parking is usually available at the Dead River Trailhead and always available at the Craig Brook National Fish Hatchery for access to the Dead River Road. Riding groups, please call 469-6929 or e-mail info@greatpondtrust.org to notify us of a large group ride.
Hunting, Trapping & Fishing:
For information about hunting in the Wildlands and to request permission to hunt, fill out this form. (Trappers: contact Steward.) Please carry your permission form with you as you hunt in the Wildlands.
Snowmobiling:
Snowmobiles are welcome on designated trails. Snowmobile map
Groups:
If your group wants to have the gates opened or to use the property in a way other than what’s listed above, please contact us.
Off-road vehicles:
No ATVs, drones, dirt bikes or other off-road vehicles (other than snowmobiles in winter) are allowed. Thank you for complying and helping us protect the sensitive wildlife habitat.
Foraging and berry-picking:
Raspberries and blueberries are plentiful in July and early August; blackberries ripen in august. Please do not remove wildflowers or other plants, animals or animal remains.
Respect the Wildlands:
Take only pictures and leave only footprints! Remove all trash. Keep the Wildlands wild! Questions or comments? 207-469-6929 or info@greatpondtrust.org.