Some of the best outdoor adventures rely on the right mix of public and private lands. The board and staff of the Northern Forest Canoe Trail are eternally grateful to our landowner partners in Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, and New York who help make this unique, 740-mile paddling experience possible.
The Northern Forest Canoe Trail is the longest inland water trail in the nation, and much of the trail is dependent on private landowners who provide public recreational access. We also credit the governments of each state — New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine — for creating laws that protect these landowners from liability.
Outdoor opportunities like the canoe trail are part of a long tradition of private landowners allowing for recreational activities like angling, paddling, hunting, and hiking. Hundreds of private landowners give individuals and families lifelong memories through the relatively simple act of supporting paddlers and other outdoor enthusiasts as they venture through private lands along the canoe trail and throughout the northeast. Their willingness to share the land they care for is a defining thread in the fabric of our communities and the culture of our region.
As we thank these landowners, we also implore paddlers — and anyone who enjoys recreational activities on private lands — to continue being respectful of this access. Obey signs and leave as little trace of your visit as possible. It’s a privilege, and one that we must not take for granted.
The Northern Forest Canoe Trail works with landowners and communities year-round to promote and maintain this one-of-a-kind recreational resource. Get in touch if you want to learn more: email [email protected] or visit www.northernforestcanoetrail.org.
