Dates of Operation Open All Year Location Access to the preserve is gained over gravel roads off Route 27 in Carrabassett, and by the Long Falls Dam Road from North New Portland. Description Bigelow Preserve encompasses 35,000 acres including the entire Bigelow Mountain Range and nearly 20 miles of the southern shore of Flagstaff Lake. It was established by popular referendum in 1976. Visitors enjoy hiking along the Appalachian Trail and other trails as well as fishing, swimming, and camping.
Winter visitors enjoy snowmobiling and cross country skiing.
Located in western Maine, this 35,000 acre tract of public land lies east of the village of Stratton and is some 40 miles north of the Town of Farmington. The Preserve encompasses the entire Bigelow Range, which includes such well-known summits as Cranberry Peak, The Horns, West Peak, Avery Peak, and Little Bigelow. The highest of these, West Peak, at 4,150 feet in elevation, is one of only 10 Maine summits over 4,000 feet. The Preserve has 21 miles of frontage on 20,000 acre Flagstaff Lake. With habitat ranging from heavily forested lowlands, ponds and marshes, to high elevation barren alpine areas, the Preserve supports most wildlife species indigenous to the state.