In 1998 the Aroostook National Wildlife Refuge was established, when 4,700 acres of the former Loring Air Force Base in Limestone, Maine, were transferred to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The refuge has grown to 4,900 acres and includes over 2,400 acres in conservation easements, providing visitors with wonderful hiking trails to enjoy Mother Nature. Most refuge lands were once part of the Loring Air Force Base, which was a critical military facility throughout the Cold War. The Strategic Air Command was stationed at the base from 1950 to 1994, flying long-range bombers capable of delivering nuclear weapons. Caribou Air Force Station was a top-secret, self-contained nuclear weapons storage base.
The refuge consists of forests, grasslands, and wetlands that provide an oasis for wildlife in the surrounding agricultural landscape, where potatoes and broccoli are among the most common crops. The open fields in the Weapon’s Storage Area on the East Loring Division provide nesting habitat for the State Threatened Upland Sandpiper.
The refuge abuts the northeastern edge of the ‘Northern Maine Forest’, an expanse of land encompassing millions of acres of forestland in northern Maine. The area is well known for its abundance of boreal birds, mammals, amphibians, and rare plant species. Boreal chickadees, spruce...
Aroostook National Wildlife Refuge offers exceptional canoeing and kayaking opportunities along the Little Madawaska River in Connor, Maine. The river provides visitors with 3.5 miles of undisturbed solitude and offers excellent opportunities for viewing wildlife. The refuge is currently...
Aroostook National Wildlife Refuge maintains over seven miles of trails from November through April. The trails are groomed for both Nordic and skate skiing. Snowshoers are welcomed on the trails, but asked to remain off of the set Nordic track.
National Wildlife Refuges serve many purposes, and one of our most important roles is as an outdoor classroom to teach about wildlife and natural resources. Many refuges offer environmental education programs for a variety of audiences. Refuges provide unique and exciting outdoor environments...
Perhaps the fastest-growing activity on national wildlife refuges in the past ten years has been wildlife photography. That's not surprising, considering the popularity of the digital camera and the increasing photography abilities of cell phone. You don't need to purchase expensive equipment or...
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Take us on your Aroostook adventure and mark new trails when you share #VisitAroostook on your shots and videos. No one explores quite like you!
