Self Guided: Iconic Border and Base Snowmobile Run

A winter trip to the Pine Tree State isn’t complete without visiting the “Crown of Maine” region in its northernmost corner—and renting a snowmobile is the best way to explore the area once you arrive. Your Adventure begins right at Wilde Recreation in Cross Lake Township, perfectly situated in the heart of Maine’s best snowmobiling territory, boasting more than 2,300 miles of trails. Grab last-minute snacks and supplies for the day at St. Peter’s Country Store before your safety briefing, then climb aboard a latest-model Polaris snowmobile.

Plan on a full day of snowmobiling—the 115-mile loop takes at least four hours to complete, depending how often you decide to stop and take in the gorgeous views as you ride through woods, across wide-open potato fields, and up and down rolling hills. The highlight of your day will likely be the “border trail” where granite pillars indicate which side of the trail belongs to the USA and which side belongs to Canada. You can also take a break to warm up and get a meal in one of the cozy restaurants dotting the trail, and be sure to stop for a group photo in front of the huge B-52 Arch Hangar at the abandoned Loring Air Force Base. Wilde Recreation will customize your route for you based on your group size, riding preferences, and whatever other specific needs you have.

After your ride, enjoy some fresh-out-of-the-oven pizza in the Wilde Recreation main lodge or grab provisions at St. Peter’s Country Store to take back to your on-property cabin (they call them “camps” in Maine) where you can make a casual dinner and relax for the night.