Jackman, ME Road Trips

The economy of the valley has historically been based in wood products and the railroad. Over the last hundred years tourism and border traffic with Canada has become increasingly important, since the town is a way station for travelers headed to and from Canada, being the only regular crossing into and from Quebec on the Maine border with Canada. As such, it has an interesting modern history. Most of the town's population is of French extraction, and many locals are fluent in French (On parle français, comme on dit.) It had an interesting Prohibition era experience--many of the town's oldest living inhabitants, as well as the parents and grandparents of most of the rest, were bootleggers. Since 9/11 the population of the town has increased as dozens more "homeland security" personnel have been assigned there. All that luridness aside, the primary reason most travelers come to Jackman herself (other than those en route to Quebec) is to enjoy the many outdoor recreation opportunities in the Valley.

It's all about the beauty of nature, especially in autumn when the trees are painted and the air is crisp. The winter is also sublime, with snow cloaking the spruce and fir, creating a winter wonderland to equal anything in Currier & Ives. The summer is very pleasant, warm, and usually sunny, and rarely very hot or humid. The spring, from April through early or mid June is perhaps the least interesting time of year, and historically has been black fly and mosquito spawning season. Lately, though, the bug season has been very mild.

Fishing in the area is also excellent. Trout (rainbow & togue) is the major gamefish locally, but landlocked salmon, pikerel and other species can be found as well. As for ice fishing, the lakes are frozen in from December through April or May, and are safe to cross until March, generally speaking. Check with the locals to avoid drowning yourself. Hunting is also excellent: deer, moose, grouse, ducks and geese are all very common. Which brings us to the point: the place is called the Moose River Valley for a reason. There are lots of moose here, folks. If they were rodents, it'd be called an infestation. So, if you are interested in "charismatic mega-fauna" (as opposed to the common, everyday stuff like trees and plankton that nobody ever cares about, but that ecologically matter far more) then Jackman is the place to visit. Just pay attention when driving, especially at night, because hitting a moose in your car can be - and usually is - deadly (and not just for the moose.) That caution aside, this is the best place in Maine, probably in the lower 48, to see a moose. Dawn & dusk are the best times to search, ask the locals for the best places to look. If all else fails, just drive 201 toward Canada in the evening, you'll see them. Some of the best snowmobiling in New England is found in the greater Jackman area. The snow is usually good from December through March and the trail system is linked to Quebec's as well as the greater network in New England. There are hundreds of miles of trails in the immediate area.

The Four Seasons, 417 Main St, ☏ +1 207 668-7778. Immediately on the right after passing the railroad tracks in the center of town. Diner/family fare. Reasonable quality & prices. Mama Bear's Den., 420 Main St, ☏ +1 207 668-4222. Directly across from the Four Seasons, similar menu & prices to Four Seasons. Bigwood Steak House, 1 Forest St, ☏ +1 207 668-5572. Turn left immediately before Mamma Bear's when heading north on Main Street. The street forks, bear right. The steak house is in a converted house immediately on the right. The word on this place, informally surveyed, is positive. Schmooses Pub & Grille, 513 Main St, ☏ +1 207 668-7799. On right, less than a half mile past Bishop's. Pub/barfood.

The Northland Bar, ☏ +1 207-668-4446. On the left when headed north on Main Street/201. Next to the railroad tracks in the center of the town. The traditional choice of the locals. Schmooses Pub & Grille, 513 Main St, ☏ +1 207 668-7799. Further down on the right when headed north on Main Street, maybe a half mile.

Cozy Cove Cabins, 3 Elm St (on Big Wood Lake), toll-free: +1-888-668-5931. Bishop's Motel, Main Street, ☏ +1-888-991-7669. In the center of town, directly across from Bishop's store Attean Lake Lodge, 163 Attean Rd, ☏ +1 207 668-3792. This is a special mention. The Lodge is on an island on Attean Lake. To stay or visit, you have to call ahead and make reservations. You have to be picked up at Attean landing and taken to the lodge by launch. The road to the landing is on your left when entering town on 201, directly across from where Route 15 merges. The stays are normally weeklong, and booked far in advance. Meals might be scheduled more freely, though. The food, service and ambiance are worth the visit.

The nearest large airport is in Bangor (BGR IATA). Newton Field (FAA LID: 59B), 369 Main St, ☏ +1 207 668-2111. Small paved airstrip with a 2900ft runway. Jackman is located roughly 1.5 hrs by car north from Skowhegan/Madison on US Rt. 201; about an hour west from Greenville on Rt. 15, and perhaps 30 minutes south of Saint-Georges in Quebec via Route 173 and US 201. Amtrak and Canadian Rail used to have service, but it has been discontinued. There are no buses.

By car, snowmobile, boat, bike, ATV, floatplane, or on foot. There are two main paved roads in town (201 & 15), many snowmobile trails, and dozens of dirt roads primarily built & used by the forest industry. Today, most travel is of course motor driven. Historically, the Native Americans and European Colonists travelled by water, however, given the impassibility of the woods. The Kennebec/Chaudière watersheds define the region. Jackman is set at the headwaters of the Kennebec River, which is the watershed that drains the center of the state. The two main lakes in the town's boundaries, Attean Lake and Big Wood Lake are both a part of the Moose River, a tributary of the Kennebec. The Moose flows east from Jackman into Moosehead Lake (the largest in Maine, near Greenville) and then into the Kennebec which flows out of Moosehead to the southeast back past a small town called The Forks (year round population about 30, base for the rafting industry in the area, located about a half hour south of Jackman on Route 201, where the Dead River & Kennebec converge.) The Kennebec River then continues south to Skowhegan and Waterville, past the state capital Augusta, to the sea. Immediately to the north is the Chaudière watershed, which flows into the St. Lawrence. There is a coalition of the Maine and Quebec Tourism offices which may be of interest, the Kennebec-Chaudière International Corridor . The Native Americans would winter on the coast, and travel by canoe inland in the spring to the headwaters of the Kennebec to hunt and gather other resources.