Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
For information on the nearly 90 sites overseen by the
Maine Forest
Service
you can call regional headquarters in Old Town (
827-6191),
Greenville (
463-2214).
For state park campground information and policies regarding sites
along the Allagash Wilderness Waterway, contact the Bureau of Parks
and Lands at the telephone number above.
695-3721), or Island Falls (
Campfires
After overall resource degradation the primary regulatory concern as far
as camping goes in Maine is fire. Except for fires in approved camp-
grounds or at Maine Forest Service approved campsites, no fires may be
kindled in the state without a permit from the forest warden. Permits are
available across the state at forest service field offices. If the warden is
not there; no worry. Most facilities have a small box outside the office
with directions and forms for filling out a permit.
The excellent map book,
The Maine Atlas and Gazet-
teer
, published by DeLorme, shows fire warden head-
quarters as a small red house on the maps.
If you are caught having a fire without a permit you can be fined. Fire
wardens patrol in trucks, on foot, by canoe, and often by airplane looking
for violators. The permit boxes also have another useful purpose - you
can see if there are other parties ahead of you that plan to stay at the
same spot. If privacy is your major concern, you can alter your plans.
Pay attention to fire danger signs scattered across the state. When the
danger hits extreme, usually early spring before the land “greens up,” in
mid-August or late fall, all fires and even smoking may be banned in the
wild areas. In some years officials have also taken the step of banning the
use of picnic grills.
Fire Safety
Low impact camping ethics dictate use of a stove for most cooking
chores. However, having an occasional campfire is part of the
wilderness experience. When building a campfire be sure the
spot you select is cleared down to mineral soil - not the decaying
vegetation known as “duff.”
