As the weather gets warmer you'll want to spend more time outdoors. There are plenty of ways to do it in Maine, but we're always on the lookout for unexpected trails. Of course, places like Acadia National Park and all of our state parks are lovely. But, let's not forget that we have 11 national refuges to explore as well! This trail is one of our favorites.
The Johnson Brook Trail is just one of the ways to explore the Sunkhaze Meadows National Wildlife Refuge.
The Sunkhaze National Wildlife Refuge in Milford, is just north of Bangor. It's been around since 1988 and it's comprised of more than 10,000 acres. This includes the 5-mile Sunkhaze Stream and another 12 miles of stream tributaries.
As the main loop within the park, it's also the most trafficked— and for good reason. This route will allow you to see much of the refuge, including the open areas and forested portions. You'll find the trailhead at the parking lot, making this an easy hike to begin.
You'll first find open areas, with plenty of room for walking. Eventually, the route becomes single-track, more in line with what you'd expect for a hiking trail.
Throughout the area there are signs highlighting the plants and wildlife you're likely to see here.
You'll also find areas where you can veer slightly from the main path. These will bring you to things like a beaver pond and a birch grove. We love that there's some great diversity here.
As you walk, keep an eye out for migratory and wading birds including black ducks, wood ducks, great blue herons, and American bitterns. Each of these animals use the stream as an important part of their survival.
While not entirely accessed by boardwalks, you will find a few. This allows for closer viewing of the land surrounding the trail.
As always, be careful on hikes that include boardwalk, as they can get quite slippery.
This is a wonderful way to explore a beautiful part of the state. Especially when you're looking for areas that are less trafficked by folks visiting for the summer.
The Johnson Brook Trail is just one of a few trails found within Sunkhaze Meadows National Wildlife Refuge. You can access the refuge year round to enjoy a variety of activities that will keep you busy in both snowy and summer conditions. You can learn more about the refuge here.
With the weather in Maine just starting to warm up there's still plenty of time to plan your future hikes! Here are 13 easy hikes to add to your outdoor bucket list in Maine.
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