Bigelow Preserve sprawls across 35,000 acres of rugged Maine wilderness in Somerset County, protecting one of the most dramatic mountain ranges in the northeastern United States. The Bigelow Range, anchored by Avery Peak (4,090 feet) and West Peak (4,145 feet), offers above-treeline hiking with panoramic views stretching from Sugarloaf to Flagstaff Lake — a reward that rivals anything in the White Mountains without the crowds.

The preserve exists thanks to a 1976 citizen referendum that blocked a proposed ski resort development, making it one of the few public lands in Maine saved by direct popular vote. That grassroots origin gives the place a special character: this is wilderness that people fought to keep wild.

Hiking dominates here. The Appalachian Trail crosses the full Bigelow Range, and the traverse from Stratton Brook Pond to the twin summits is considered one of the AT’s finest day hikes in Maine. The Horns Pond Trail leads to two pristine alpine ponds tucked between peaks, with lean-to shelters maintained by the Maine Appalachian Trail Club. Winter brings backcountry skiing and snowshoeing for experienced adventurers.

Primitive camping is available at several backcountry sites, including the popular Horns Pond shelters. There are no developed campgrounds or facilities — plan to be self-sufficient.

Visit late September through early October for peak foliage against the granite summits, or mid-June through August for the best hiking conditions. Black flies are fierce in late May and June, so come prepared. This is real Maine backcountry — quiet, uncrowded, and deeply rewarding.

Explore Nearby

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• Columbia Bridge — Covered Bridge in New Hampshire
• Columbia Bridge — Covered Bridge in Vermont
• White Mountain National Forest — National Forest in New Hampshire, Maine
• White Mountain Trail — Scenic Byway in New Hampshire