Aroostook County Snowmobiling – Maine’s Best Winter

Seasons:
Jacob Pelkey
Last updated on
November 21, 2025

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aine’s Aroostook County is Maine’s Best Winter. With 120" of annual snowfall and 2,300 miles of meticulously groomed ITS trails, this is the top snowmobiling destination in Maine—and the entire Northeast.

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Known simply as The County, Aroostook is vast—larger than Connecticut and Rhode Island combined—and bordered on three sides by Canada. It’s a snowmobiler’s playground of wide, fast trails, steady snow, and unmatched hospitality. Riders who have logged serious miles in the Upper Peninsula, Quebec, often find that The County delivers everything those destinations promise—and without the crowded congestion of other Maine destinations like The Forks.

 

In Aroostook, the season runs from late December through April, a full four months of reliable riding. Thirty-eight dedicated groomers work around the clock to keep the system in prime condition, laying down some of the widest and smoothest trails in New England. All 2,300 miles are easily accessed from the Otter Street Park & Ride in Caribou, the central hub of The County’s trail network. Public parking and overnight trailer access make it simple to unload and ride straight into the heart of Maine’s best snow.

The Loring Airforce base is the #1 snowmobile destination in northern Maine.

When riding here, six destinations stand above the rest: the legendary Loring Airforce Base (Access to the Arch Hanger is restricted in 2026), the haunting Ghost Trains of the Allagash, Number 9 Mountain, the International View, the Infinity View, and, of course, the Border Trail—a rare route that literally rides the U.S./Canada line. Eleven international border crossings connect Aroostook’s network to New Brunswick's 5,000 miles of terrain, opening up long-distance runs that reach all the way to Quebec’s Gaspé Peninsula.

 

For serious riders, the terrain diversity is what seals the deal. The County offers the freedom to explore open fields, frozen lakes, and dense woods all in one day. And for those who crave more, off-trail backcountry riding is permitted in the far northern Allagash region, where deep snow and rugged wilderness make for some of the best boondocking in the East. The town of Allagash is your last gas and food (a fantastic little restaurant is here actually!) before ridings make the trek over Glazer Lake up to Escort Station -  a bucket list destination for many. Riding in the St. John Valley is dominated by the Fish River Chain of Lakes and fantastic elevated views overlooking the river valley. The rail trails of southern Aroostook around Houlton and Island Falls connect the Katahdin area trails to Aroostook and features fun trestle and suspension bridges.

Do you realize you can fly JetBlue into PQI Presque Isle, take a 10-minute Uber to the snowmobile rentals and get out on the trails? Of course, most people would want to grab a bite and check into their room first - but for the diehard sledheads it is totally possible!
Snowmobile Clubhouses serve great food, are where to warm up, and often have live music on the weekends.

Trailside, riders are welcomed by a club culture that defines the region. 32 volunteer clubs maintain, fund, and groom the trails, and their hospitality sets the standard for snowmobiling anywhere. Stop at a clubhouse for a hot meal, live music, local trail intel, or just a handshake from the folks who keep this network running. You’ll quickly understand why visitors say Aroostook has the friendliest innkeepers and most accommodating hosts they’ve ever met.

Riding always gives us something to smile about.

Food here is hearty and local—whoopie pies, poutine, ployes, and steak-and-potato dinners that stick to your ribs after a day on the trails. Under the darkest skies of northern Maine, be ready to get dazzling Milky Way views by night and a patchwork of rolling hills, lakes, and forests by day. Moose sightings are common, and the silence between sleds is pure north-country magic. It's true that trailside restaurants are usually family owned businesses serving up massive portions - the hardest question you might answer on vacation is if you'd like your potatoes fried, mashed, baked or as poutine!

 

Mark your calendar for Free Snowmobile Weekend, March 6–8, 2025, when non-Maine residents can ride without registration. That same weekend, SnowBowl returns with fast races, family events, and a winter carnival atmosphere that captures the spirit of “Maine’s Best Winter.”

Before you plan your trip, peek at our Special Offers—packed with ski-and-stay bundles, rental discounts, and seasonal travel deals.

For serious snowmobilers who think they’ve seen it all, Aroostook County - longer trails, better grooming, deeper snow, and the kind of people who make you feel right at home. Ride just once and you’ll see, Aroostook is a place one may simply just be.

 

Plan your trip early in the season to ensure your favorite accommodations are available, but also because once you come ride the Crown of Maine you can't wait come back again. So to reiterate - come early in the season and then come back again - you'll be glad you did!

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Places to go, things to see and what to do—all neatly laid out. Begin your Aroostook adventure with the official travel guide to ensure the only surprises during your trip are the good ones.

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