Vining Lake Community Preserve

A popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts, Vining Lake offers great trout fishing, hiking, and an opportunity to paddle a beautiful, undeveloped, quintessential Maine lake.

Trail Activities:

Difficulty & Length:

Easy to Moderate, 3 miles of trail network

Description:

The Vining Lake Community Preserve consists of 406 acres of rich habitat surrounding the 26-acre undeveloped Vining Lake. This diverse and ecologically important property is home to many of Maine’s freshwater fish, birds, mammals, reptiles and amphibians. Two miles of easy to moderate trails expose the visitor to granite outcroppings, wetlands, and woodland, as well as picnicking, fishing and swimming sites. The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife stocks the lake annually. Hand-carry boat access is available for canoe and kayak launching 100 feet from the parking lot. Moose can be seen frequently browsing in the wetlands or cooling off in the lake mid-summer. An important area to the surrounding community, Vining Lake will forever remain as it is: undeveloped and available for everyone to enjoy!

Camping is allowed in the established campsite on a first-come, first-serve basis. The site contains a picnic table, DCC signage, a box privy, and a firepit. No registration is necessary, but campers are required to obtain camp fire permits for the site by calling the Maine Forest Service (207) 827-1800 in advance of their stay.

Trailhead Directions:

Turn west onto the Vining Lake Road off of Route 191 (16.3 miles from the intersection of Route 191 and Route 1 in East Machias, or 17.8 miles from the intersection of Route 191 and Route 1 in Baring). Continue 0.4 mile; stay left at the Y in the road to the parking lot.