Maine’s Machias River Backwoods Loop

Deep in Washington County’s logging territory, this 28-mile loop follows active and retired timber roads through the kind of Maine wilderness most folks never see. The route starts at the old Whitneyville checkpoint, threading through commercial blueberry operations before diving into dense spruce-fir forest along the Machias River’s upper reaches. You’ll cross the river twice on sketchy logging bridges and navigate around massive clear-cuts that offer surprising mountain views toward Katahdin on clear days.

Easy to moderate difficulty with good gravel most of the way, but spring mud season turns this into a different animal entirely. Any stock SUV handles it dry, but 4WD recommended during wet conditions and mandatory in spring. Active logging area means yielding to loaded trucks and checking with local timber companies about seasonal restrictions. Prime time is late summer through fall when the blueberry barrens turn crimson. Plenty of dispersed camping spots along the river, and you’ll have miles of Maine wilderness practically to yourself.