State of the High Peaks

The State of the High Peaks series is a comprehensive report by the High Peaks Initiative to document, map, and promote the recreational resources in Maine’s High Peaks Region. This wild and mountainous area, spanning Oxford, Franklin, and Somerset Counties, offers unparalleled opportunities for outdoor activities while supporting local economies through sustainable tourism.

Our reports provide a baseline for understanding the region’s trails, conserved lands, and recreational infrastructure, guiding future investments to ensure public access, conservation, and community vitality. Explore the reports below to learn more about our efforts to connect people with this stunning landscape.

This foundational report maps and inventories the recreational resources in Maine’s High Peaks Region, focusing on trails, parking areas, lodging, and conserved lands. It establishes a baseline census of outdoor recreation infrastructure, identifying levels of protected public access through conserved lands, licenses, or leases.

By highlighting the region’s vast working forests, pristine waters, and diverse trail systems, the report aims to foster coordinated planning among trail managers, municipalities, and nonprofits. It underscores the economic importance of outdoor recreation, which contributes billions to Maine’s economy, and sets the stage for sustainable development that balances conservation with community needs.

Building on the original report, Part 2 delves deeper into priorities for conservation and recreation, gathering input from local organizations, the Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands, municipalities, and motorized recreation groups. It identifies areas with potential for land conservation, recreational asset development, and improvements, while summarizing regional recreational assets. The report emphasizes collaborative efforts to protect key natural resources, ensure well-managed trail systems, and integrate recreation with economic growth. With a focus on stakeholder partnerships, it provides actionable insights to enhance the region’s trails and support healthy human-natural communities.

This forward-looking action plan serves as a framework for aligning and sustaining stewardship in the High Peaks Region. It outlines opportunities for a regional action strategy, putting the plan into action in 2025 through coordinated efforts among partners. Drawing from previous reports, it introduces the region’s unique features, the potential for enhanced recreation and conservation, and appendices with detailed data. The plan promotes activities like hiking, paddling, and snowmobiling while ensuring over 300,000 acres of conserved land remain accessible. It’s designed to boost economic vitality by providing important economic benefits through continued investment in trails and natural resources.