This section of the NFCT follows the path of the Dead River, starting on its South Branch and finishing at the 30-foot Grand Falls. It crosses the shallow waters of Flagstaff Lake, which inundated three frontier communities in1950 in Maine’s quest for reliable water flow to generate electricity for the state. The Bigelow Preserve borders the lake to its south, with 36,000 acres of undeveloped, protected ridgeline.
In order to safely experience the Northern Forest Canoe Trail in this region, please bring the NFCT Section 9 map with you on your trip. The Maine Trail Finder is not intended to be a comprehensive resource along this trail.
To learn more about this region and plan your trip, visit the Northern Forest Canoe Trail website. There you can:
Specific rules apply to the Bigelow Preserve and many campsites in this region require a fire permit. For more information about local regulations, please refer to the official map.
Camping and access sites along this section of trail are a result of NFCT collaboration with the following partners and landowners: Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands and private landowners.
Private Land Consideration: Many trails are comprised of both public and private land. Trail organizations work to secure landowner agreements and maintain public use through stewardship and maintenance efforts. Each campsite, trail, and access point may have a different code of conduct required by trail users. More information about specific user requirements and guidelines can be found in the resources -- website, map, or guidebook -- provided by the trail manager. As a trail user it is important to understand and uphold these codes of conduct to allow future use of these locations.
Visit Northern Forest Canoe Trail online for more information or contact:
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