Part of life is moving on, and Maine’s history is rife with this sort of transition. People settle, then leave. Homes built and left behind. Moments lived and memories created. These abandoned places in Maine prove that better than anything. Some are eerily beautiful, some are downright spooky. Take a look at this list and plan a trip to see them before nature completes the process.

1. These two rusting hulks of steel and shattered dreams were used to transport lumber through the remote North Woods...
Allagash Wilderness Waterway, Maine 04401, USA
John Lutz / Flickr
...but now they sit silently as a reminder of an era past. Find them near the northwest end of Chamberlain Lake in the Allagash Wilderness Waterway State Park. Read more about The Eagle Lake and West Branch Railroad. You can also read more about this abandoned railroad with our article right here.

This cool sight is something you have to see to believe and luckily Thiel Tube went ahead for you and made this fabulous video:
2. A Civil War-era monument of crumbling granite and wild brush, Fort Gorges stands sentinel in the Casco Bay, guarding the entrance to Portland Harbor.
Fort Gorges, Portland, ME 04101, USA
Corey Templeton / Flickr
Only accessible by private boat, you’ll need a kayak (or a friendly lobsterman) to reach it. Learn more about Fort Gorges.

If you can't make it by boat at least check out this stunning arial video of Fort Gorges by Escape Velocity:
3. North of Camden, on the road to Belfast, lives this almost Seussian wreck of a home.
Camden, ME, USA
Mark Plummer / Flickr
A nightmare of jagged angles, it’s a wonder this wooden structure is still standing. Or has it been demolished?
4. Riddled with graffiti rather than bulletholes, these days Battery Steele on Peaks Island is more avante garde art space than WWII artillery installment.
Battery Steele, Peaks Island, ME 04108, USA
Don Shall / Flickr
But that doesn’t make it any less creepy. Take the ferry over to explore its dark and cavernous rooms and wildly overgrown roof, and don’t miss the beautifully weird Sacred and Profane festival that takes place annually on the Saturday after the October harvest moon. Find out more about Battery Steele.
5. Abandoned barns are a dime a dozen here in Maine. You can’t drive a few miles down a country road without seeing some dilapidated, weatherbeaten structure slumping into itself.
West Gardiner, ME 04345, USA
ChrisGoldNY / Flickr
This West Gardiner barn is short a wall, but the silo is still (barely) standing strong. But if you search for "abandoned places near me," chances are there's a dilapidated barn not too far away.

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6. Maine’s geography makes it the first stop on the world destruction tour if one of our frenemies across the pond decided to attack us.
Unknown author / Wikipedia
Fears ran especially high during the Cold War, which made the decision to build the Loring Air Force Base in Limestone a very strategic one. Today, the hangers echo with only the sounds of nesting birds, and the nuclear storage vaults hold only the shadows of secrets. Read more about Loring Air Force Base.
7. On January 24, 1963, a United States Air Force Boeing B-52C Stratofortress went down over Maine while flying a training mission.
Elephant Mountain, Northeast Piscataquis, ME 04464, USA
Gerald Azenaro / Flickr
Of the nine crew members, only the pilot and navigator survived. Elephant Mountain, near Moosehead Lake about six miles from Greenville, is the final resting place of its shredded fuselage. A half-mile hike will get you to the wreckage, where a stone memorial commemorates the seven fallen soldiers. Learn more about the Elephant Mountain wreck.
8. Following its transfer from military to state use in 1901, the nearly 200-year-old Kennebec Arsenal in Augusta became a facility to house the mentally ill.
Augusta, ME 04330, USA
The B's / Flickr
One look at the imposing granite structure and you can almost hear the cries of the tortured souls who called this place home. It's definitely earned its place among the creepiest abandoned houses in Maine. It closed its doors for good in 2004 but has recently been slated for redevelopment. Check out more about the Kennebec arsenal.

We found some stunning photos of this eerie place, we do not suggest you go here since it is being monitored and trespassing is prohibited but we do have a creepy video for you to see what it was like not too long ago:
9. A remnant of Maine’s lumbering heritage, the old Moulton’s Mill in Newfield was originally built in 1790 and was in operation until the later part of the 20th century.
Newfield, ME, USA
Ofer Davidi / Flickr
Like many of Maine’s mills, the saws have long gone silent, and the trees have started to take their revenge. It's a cool experience to visit this abandoned place in Maine and see how nature truly does retake things! Find out more about Newfield.
10. We don’t know much of anything about this once-grand mansion in Frankfort...
Frankfort, ME, USA
Mark Plummer / Flickr
...but years of neglect have given it a serious Stephen King vibe. If you like visiting abandoned houses in Maine, you've got to put this one on your list. Read more about Frankfort, Maine.

We’ve just scratched the surface here of abandoned places in Maine. Share some of your own local places that nature is out to reclaim as well as any abandoned towns in Maine that are worth visiting.

Plan on hitting the road to see any of these abandoned places in Maine? Take a look at our road trip essentials packing list before your trip!

 

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What is one of the best hikes to an abandoned place in Maine?

One of the best hikes to abandoned places in Maine is the following:

  • Take a short walk up to Fort Williams Park in Cape Elizabeth to see an old abandoned mansion. Head to Fort Williams Park in Cape Elizabeth for an amazing cliff walk by the beach that will take you right to an abandoned mansion. Along the way, you'll also get to see the state's largest lighthouse, sweeping ocean views, and the beautiful castle-like mansion that was built in the 1880s. It's a rare hike that includes both nature and history - a rare and welcome combination.

 

Are there any historical sites you can hike to in Maine?

Yes, there are historical sites you can hike to in Maine. An interesting hike is The Old Pond Railway Trail in Hancock, Maine. You'll walk along a historical railroad in Hancock, Maine. Formerly the rail for the Maine Shore Line Railroad Company, the train used to take tourists along the water. That means the views along the trail are just beautiful. Enjoy the whole atmosphere, including the pond and forest.

Does Maine have any natural wonders?

There are many wonderful natural wonders in Maine like:

  • Thunder hole in Acadia
  • The Desert of Maine in Freeport
  • The Debsconeag Ice Caves in Millinocket
  • Dagget Rock in Phillips is an incredible sight, and has been in this spot since the Ice Age!
  • Gulf Hagas features a waterfall that you can kayak over. If you're experienced in water sports like this, this is the spot for you.

Check out these lovely natural wonders in Maine.

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