Kennebec Highlands

🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆 6,000-Acre Lake Region — 6,126 acres of pristine ponds and forested ridges in central Maine — premier remote hiking and paddling

Kennebec Highlands covers 6,126 acres of forested ridges and pristine ponds in central Maine’s Belgrade Lakes region. The property protects scenic mountain summits, remote ponds, and extensive trail networks. Round Top Mountain (1,133 ft) offers panoramic views of the surrounding lake country. The Belgrade Lakes region has been a summer destination since the 1800s — the 1991 comedy “On Golden Pond” was actually filmed at nearby Great Pond (the original “On Golden Pond” was set on Squam Lake, NH, but Maine’s lakes are just as golden).

Visitor Information

About Kennebec Highlands

Kennebec Highlands public reserved land covers over 6,000 acres of forested hills and ponds in the Belgrade Lakes region of central Maine. The highlands rise above the surrounding lake country, offering summit views and remote pond fishing. The area is popular with hikers and anglers seeking backcountry experiences within reach of Augusta.

Things to Do

Hiking to mountain summits with views of the Belgrade Lakes, fishing in remote ponds for brook trout, hunting (seasonal), mountain biking, and birdwatching. The Belgrade Lakes region is a classic Maine summer destination.

Insider Tips

New conservation: Kennebec Highlands (6,000+ acres) is one of Maine’s newest conservation areas — assembled from multiple land purchases since 2000. Pro tip: The highlands offer pond swimming, remote hiking, and mountain views without the crowds of more famous destinations. Maine land trust: Maine’s conservation organizations have protected millions of acres — the state is 90% forested, the most forested state in the US.

Best Time to Visit

Summer: Pond swimming and hiking. Fall: Highland foliage. Spring: Wildflowers and migrating birds. Winter: Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.

Frequently Asked Questions

How forested is Maine?

Maine is approximately 90% forested — the highest percentage of any US state. The “Pine Tree State” has 17.6 million acres of forest, almost all of it northern hardwoods and spruce-fir. Much of northern Maine is privately owned timberland, managed for sustainable harvest. Conservation easements and land trusts have protected millions of acres while allowing continued forestry.