Year-Round Trails Around Patten, Maine

The Patten, Maine, area is a four-season trail hub in the Katahdin region, offering an extensive network of routes for hiking, biking, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, ATVing, Snowmobiling, and year-round outdoor exploration. Centrally located between Mount Chase, Shin Pond, Sherman, and Island Falls, Patten serves as a natural crossroads for both motorized and non-motorized recreation.

Popular basecamps for exploring the area include Mount Chase Lodge and Shin Pond Village, where guests enjoy year-round direct access to regional trail systems. From the basecamps and/or from downtown Patten, visitors can connect to long-distance corridors, local loops, and quieter woodland paths—making it easy to plan anything from a short morning walk to a multi-day adventure.

Regional Trail Connections

Patten sits along major trail corridors that link communities across northern Maine. These routes are used year-round for different activities depending on the season:

In winter, the Interconnected Trail System (ITS) supports snowmobiling across the Katahdin region.
In spring, summer, and fall, many of these same corridors function as gravel roads, multi-use paths, and forest access routes for ATVs, hikers, bikers, and wildlife watchers.

From Patten, trail users can travel toward Mount Chase and Shin Pond, continue on toward Sherman and Island Falls, or connect into the greater Katahdin region, including Millinocket. These routes pass through deep forests, along streams and wetlands, and through classic North Woods landscapes that change dramatically with the seasons.

Trail Stewardship & Local ATV and Snowmobile Clubs

Trail access around Patten is supported by a strong culture of local stewardship. ATV, Snowmobile clubs, and other organizations play a key role in maintaining corridors that are later enjoyed year-round by other users:

Patten ATV and Snowmobile Clubs maintain local routes and access points around Patten.
The Patten ATV Club maintains one of northern Maine’s most accessible and scenic off-road trail networks, with 100+ miles of side-by-side trails weaving through the towns of Patten, Mount Chase, Moro, Hersey, Crystal, and Stacyville. These multi-use paths connect local roadways, woods roads, and scenic corridors to create a versatile trail system enjoyed by ATV and UTV riders throughout the riding season.
Shin Pond Trail Riders ATV Club maintains a well-connected network of ATV and side-by-side trails in the Shin Pond and Mount Chase area, providing riders with scenic access to forest roads, local routes, and regional trail connections. Maintained by dedicated volunteers, these trails link Shin Pond Village with surrounding communities and services, making the area a convenient and enjoyable base for off-road riding in the Katahdin region.
Rockabema Snow Rangers (Patten, ME) and Big Valley Sno Club (Island Falls, ME) work to connect corridors that extend travel options across multiple towns.
Northern Timber Cruisers maintains important regional connections with Millinocket.

The Katahdin Area Trails (a program of the Outdoor Sport Institute) is expanding non-motorized trail systems throughout Maine’s Katahdin Region, supporting the area’s growing outdoor recreation economy and enhancing its position as a premier trail destination.

Local Multi-Use Trails

In addition to regional connections, Mount Chase Lodge (1517 Shin Pond Rd, Patten, ME) maintains several on-property trails (see map) for hiking, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing. The Lodge Loop, an approximately 1.3-mile trail around Upper Shin Pond, is especially popular for its gentle terrain and scenic views. The Upper and Lower Stump Dump Trails add variety with wooded terrain, rolling elevation, and peaceful forest settings.

The Carl Sprinchorn Trail, is a multi-use path shared by snowmobiles, ATVs, skiers, snowshoers, and walkers. Despite its versatility, it’s lightly used, so sharing the trail is rarely an issue. If you encounter motorized vehicles, step to the side to let them pass. The trail begins at the campground road, crossing Upper Shin Pond’s outlet via a bridge. Along the way, you’ll see a notable large rock painted by the famous artist Carl Sprinchorn. The path continues through the woods, offering scenic views of the lodge from across the pond. Watch for signs leading to a side trail that brings you to the water’s edge. The trail concludes at Gardner Point Road, where a right turn leads you about 0.25 miles back to the paved Shin Pond Road.

The Peavey Brook Trail system (865 Shin Pond Rd, Patten, ME). Peavey Brook in Patten, ME, is situated on a 300-acre property with over 5 miles of purpose-built mountain bike and winter cross-country ski trails currently under construction. The public is welcome to use these trails on foot, skis, snowshoes, mountain bikes, and class 1 ebikes. Please note that ATV and snowmobile trails intersect with the mountain bike and ski trails, but motorized vehicles are not allowed on the mountain bike and ski trails. The public is welcome to use these trails on foot, skis, snowshoes, mountain bikes, and class 1 ebikes. Please note that ATV and snowmobile trails intersect with the mountain bike and ski trails, but motorized vehicles are not allowed on the mountain bike and ski trails. For more information, please visit https://www.elliotsvillefoundation.org/peavey-brook-trail-system

Great for Kids: Lumbermen’s Trail and Storybook Lane!

This year-round one-third-mile in-town trail is non-motorized and features an easy-to-walk wooded trail and a children’s storybook lane on land just behind the Patten Lumbermen’s Museum in Patten, Maine. It is designed to be an accessible, fun, and engaging experience for children and adults of all abilities. The trail starts with ever-changing “book stations” and then continues onto an easy-to-walk, wooded trail with fun and informative stops along the way. For more information, please click here.

Location / Directions: Park behind the Lumbermen’s Museum, at 61 Shin Pond Road, in Patten. After turning off Route 1, it’ll be on the right in about 0.35 miles.

Trails & Hikes Around Shin Pond Village (in Patten, ME)

Shin Pond Village serves as a convenient base for several classic outdoor hikes and nature walks in the Katahdin region, all easily accessible from the village along Maine Route 159. Visitors can enjoy scenic forest trails, waterfalls, and summit views within a short drive of lodging and amenities.

Public Beach on Lower Shin Pond: While not a hike, this short walk from Shin Pond Village leads to a sandy beach on Lower Shin Pond—ideal for summer picnics, swimming, canoeing, or paddleboarding.

Mount Chase Trail: A rewarding hike to the summit of Mount Chase, offering broad views of the surrounding North Woods and distant peaks. The trailhead is reached by following Rt. 159 South, turning onto Owlsboro Road, and then onto Mountain Road. Expect a moderately steep ascent that takes approximately 1.5 hours each way to reach the top.

Shin Brook Falls Trail: One of the most popular hikes near Shin Pond Village, this 0.6–0.8 mile loop leads to Shin Brook Falls, a scenic multi-drop waterfall on Shin Brook. The trail is generally easy, though sections near the falls can be steeper and may require careful footing. It’s a great short hike for all ages and particularly striking in spring and after rain.

Sawtelle Falls / Sawtell Deadwater: Another nearby waterfall destination, this trail is accessed by taking Rt 159 north, then a short dirt-road turnoff. It provides access to the picturesque Sawtelle Falls, offering a peaceful woodland walk and a lovely waterside destination.

Trails & Hikes Around Shin Pond Village (in Patten, ME)

Also nearby, at Matagamon Wilderness Campground in Patten, ME, you can access the Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument. Get ready for an extraordinary year-round trail experience through some of the most pristine wilderness in the North Woods. Encompassing more than 87,000 acres of forest, rivers, and rugged terrain, the Monument features over 50 miles of hiking and multi-use trails, ranging from easy walks and loop hikes to longer backpacking routes and backcountry adventures.

Trailhead: North Entrance: Go to Matagamon Wilderness Campground in Patten, ME. Continue past the bridge, then take your first left. Drive down to the parking lot to access the trails. For information about trails within the Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument, please CLICK HERE (NSP).

Why Patten Is a Four-Season Trail Destination

Patten combines access, scenery, and small-town hospitality in a way that makes outdoor exploration easy in every season. Visitors can enjoy long-distance trail travel, quiet woodland paths, and easy connections to lodging, dining, and services—all within a compact, welcoming community.

Whether you’re snowmobiling in winter, hiking and biking in warmer months, or exploring the Katahdin region year-round, the trails around Patten offer an authentic North Woods experience shaped by landscape, stewardship, and connection.

For more information, please visit: Patten Area Outdoors, Katahdin Area Trail (KAT), Outdoor Sport Institute, Mount Chase Lodge, Shin Pond Village, the Town of Patten, the Patten Lumbermen’s Museum

For trail conditions, please click here (Provided by Katahdin Area Trail).

It’s all on the Katahdin Woods & Waters National Scenic Byway!

The Katahdin Woods & Waters National Scenic Byway is a spectacular driving route through the heart of Maine’s North Woods, following rivers, forests, and historic communities with sweeping views of Mount Katahdin. Stretching from Millinocket to Patten, the Byway offers access to outdoor adventures, trail systems, wildlife viewing, and cultural heritage sites, making it a year-round scenic gateway to Baxter State Park, Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument, and the surrounding region.

PLAN YOUR VISIT: https://destinationkatahdin.org/

Year-Round Trails Around Patten, Maine