Visit Wilderness

New Hampshire is home to most of the White Mountain National Forest but many of its acres cross into Maine. Within this expanse lies the Caribou-Speckled Mountain Wilderness. Encompassing both Caribou Mountain and Speckled Mountain, it is the state's largest Wilderness.

It is an area of rugged terrain with deep notches, open ledges and numerous ridges covered by northern hardwoods. White pine, the official state tree of Maine, grows lower down on the slopes while spruce and fir dominate the forest higher up.

Many cold mountain streams run out of this area headed for the Androscoggin River to the north and the Saco River to the south.

Dots or "specks" of hardwoods that color brilliantly in fall cover the flanks of Speckled Mountain (2906 feet) giving the mountain its name. It is often confused with a number of other mountains in Maine that share similar names such as Old Speck (4170 feet), which is only twenty miles distant.

The Wilderness' other namesake, Caribou Mountain, lies four miles north of Speckled Mountain. Slightly lower at 2840 fee, its name reminds us of the giant relative of the reindeer that existed in the state until the first part of the twentieth century. Speckled Mountain rises near the center of a network of trails that provide access to its many superb vistas.

The Bickford Brook Trail climbs from the west to the open summit of Speckled Mountain. It begins outside the Wilderness boundary at the Brickett Place Wilderness Information Center. The center is staffed seasonally and can provide information about trails and local history.

Farther north, Caribou Mountain provides some of the most attractive ledges in the Wilderness on its open summit.

Moose, bear, coyote and other animals inhabit the forest of the Caribou-Speckled Mountain Wilderness. Trails avoiding the summits and the areas off trails are the best bets if viewing wildlife is a primary goal of your visit.

Trout can also be found in the many streams that carve their way through the hills.

Bushwhacking may be difficult due to thick understory, but it allows visitors to explore some of the wild trailless portions of the Wilderness.

Winter access to the Wilderness is much reduced by the seasonal closing of Rt 113. This road provides the main access to Wilderness trailheads from the west and is usually closed from mid November through mid May though exact dates will depend on local conditions.

Leave No Trace

How to follow the seven standard Leave No Trace principles differs in different parts of the country (desert vs. Rocky Mountains). Click on any of the principles listed below to learn more about how they apply in the Caribou-Speckled Mountain Wilderness.

1. Plan Ahead and Prepare
2. Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces
3. Dispose of Waste Properly
4. Leave What You Find
5. Minimize Campfire Impacts
6. Respect Wildlife
7. Be Considerate of Other Visitors

For more information on Leave No Trace, Visit the Leave No Trace, Inc. website.

Rules & Regulations

Contacts