The North Maine Woods, a 3.5-million-acre privately owned working forest, offers extensive recreational opportunities like hiking, camping, and paddling, drawing over 100,000 visitors annually. Managed by a nonprofit coalition of landowners since 1971, access is allowed through 19 gates with a small user fee, but the roads remain private and maintained solely by landowners.
Safety is a top priority, particularly around active logging operations. Logging trucks always have the right of way, and visitors must follow strict road rules: drive with headlights on, stay to the right, obey speed limits, and yield to working vehicles. Radios are recommended to monitor truck traffic, and visitors should carry spare tires due to rough conditions and lack of cell service.
Landowners stress respect for the land and roads to preserve access for future use. The access fee does not fund road maintenance, and misuse could result in road closures. Overall, the North Maine Woods is a successful model of cooperative land use, balancing forestry with public recreation.