The Riverside Trail System is a network of non-motorized trails through downtown Fort Kent, along the Saint John River and Fish River. It begins and ends at intersections with the multi-use Saint John Valley Heritage Trail, and includes the Riverside Park Loop, Riverside Trail West, Riverside Trail South, Riverside Trail North, and the Levee Trail.
The Riverside South Trail and Levee Trail have a hard-packed gravel surface, and are suitable for walking, hiking, running or mountain biking. The Riverside South Trail is handicapped accessible, but caution is warranted, since frequent use on some of these trails can create rough surfaces. The Riverside South Trail is 6-8 feet wide, and travels through the forest on the east side of the Fish River. There is a section of it that regularly floods in the spring. The 8-foot wide Levee Trail is a multi-use trail on the town’s business-district levee. There are some significant inclines getting on and off the levee.
The Riverside West Trail and Riverside Park Loop are fully handicapped-accessible with paved surfaces, and are suitable for three-season road biking and running, and year-round walking. The Riverside West Trail is a connection of Pleasant Street and University Drive. A section of the Riverside Trail West Trail overlaps an Interconnected Trail System (ITS) trail along the Saint John River levee and is shared with ATVs and snowmobiles.
The Riverside Park Loop is popular with seniors. This concrete-surfaced trail is about 4-5 feet wide. It loops through and around Riverside Park, where there are playing courts, fields, a playgound, an outdoor pavilion, and public restrooms. A mural depicting a historic ferry boat landing greets visitors at the park's entrance.
The Riverside Trail North hiking and mountain biking trail is unsuitable for handicapped access and is open only for three-season use. It passes the Riverside Park with its many facilities. The trail's western section offers great view of the confluence of the Fish River with the Saint John River.
The Riverside Trail West passes by Fort Kent Blockhouse, which is located at the confluence of the Fish River and the Saint John River. This state-owned structure is the only extant fortification relating to the "Bloodless" Aroostook War of 1838-9, and the border dispute between Great Britain and the United States. In addition to being listed in the National Register of Historic Places, the structure is a National Historic Landmark. The Riverside Trail West also passes the America’s First Mile Monument. The Monument was built in 2010, marking the beginning of the US-1.
Visit the Town of Fort Kent online for more information, or contact:
The trail system can be accessed anywhere the trails intersect streets and also in Riverside Park. The southern trailhead of the Riverside Trail South and the western trailhead of the Riverside Trail West both connect to the multi-use St. John Valley Heritage Trail. Riverside Trail South and Riverside Trail North can both be accessed from the McDonald’s on Main Street.
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