Take a Boardwalk Trail Through the Wetlands of the Bangor City Forest in Maine

We're blessed with a jaw-dropping variety of wonderful places to visit in the U.S., with so many different biomes to explore. We have everything from soaring mountains, stunning waterfalls, large deserts, canyons, peaceful lakes, and even beautiful coastlines and oceans. The variety can be found in Maine, too. We have high peaks like Katahdin and the Carrabassett Valley, beautiful lakes like Moose Head, and miles of coastline. One unique way to enjoy the outdoors is with this boardwalk trail in Bangor, Maine.

The Orono Bog Boardwalk Trail takes you through the wonderful wetlands found in the Bangor City Forest. The trail is a simple 1.5-mile loop, with most of the trail traversing the boardwalk. It's beautiful in a variety of seasons, especially in the fall, but please note that the trail is closed during the winter, typically reopening in early May.

So what makes this place so special? In short, the bog has a fascinating ecosystem that creates beauty all on its own.

The Orono Bog is unique because it is known as a peatland bog, a waterlogged wetland with several non-decomposed materials such as moss, leaves, and plants making up the peat. This, combined with the acidic and infertile soil, creates dwarfed plant life and unique growth for plants that do well in acidic soil. So, you'll notice that the trees are smaller and some plants that are special to this type of bog.

You can walk through the wetlands and take in the views of this amazing bog. The trail is a simple walk that should be accessible to almost everybody.

It is, however, very popular, so expect to see other people traveling along the trail!

Being a special wetland territory, the trail will showcase an impressive array of flora. Keep a close look for flowers and plants along the boardwalk. Interactive signs are there to help with identification. Snap some cool close-up pictures and read about the different vegetation.

Bogs and wetlands have a certain stillness, tranquility, and beauty of their own. This boardwalk trail in Bangor, Maine is no different. It's peaceful to walk among such unique vegetation and a great way to experience variety in our outdoor activities. So make sure to head on over to the Orono Bog Boardwalk Trail to really take in this beautiful spot. After your hiking adventure, stop into Timber Kitchen & Bar for a top-notch meal—locals love the wood-fired pizzas and burgers!

Curious to learn more about things to do in Bangor? Here are a few reasons why it's one of the coolest areas of the Pine Tree State to explore. This will help you make the most of your trip! You can also try planning your own trip using Only In Your State’s itinerary planner.

Looking for related content? Take a look at one of the most underrated state forest trails in Maine.