Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Maine Trail Finder (MTF)?

Maine Trail Finder is a free, interactive mapping site designed to help Maine residents and visitors find hiking, walking, snowshoeing, mountain biking, cross-country skiing, and paddling trails across the state. Our goal is to help people get out, be active, and explore our state’s treasures, both those well-known and more hidden. Detailed trail description pages allow users to view the trails, get essential information, submit trip comments and photos, find nearby geocaches, and a whole lot more. 

Use Maine Trail Finder to track your trail experiences noting trails that you have completed, your favorites, or ones you want to visit. Save trail logs to remember all your adventures. Complete specific trail challenges and earn digital badges as you go. 

Search the Events Calendar to find outdoor activities around the state that are open to all.

Does Maine Trail Finder replace paper maps?

No. Trail maps are great and essential (we know, we also make them for a living!). Maine Trail Finder's greatest strength is the fact that you can find extensive and up-to-date information about non-motorized trails anywhere in Maine in one convenient location. Look for links on detailed trail pages to trail manager websites, where downloadable maps and property guides are often available. Contact the listed trail managers to see if they distribute or sell their own maps. 

Why isn't my favorite trail on your site?

All posted trails are closely reviewed by Maine Trail Finder administrators and trail managers before they are made available to the public to ensure the maps and content are accurate and current. Some trail managers have requested not to show certain trails on this site due to management and over-use concerns. If you don't see a trail you think we should include, let us know

Who administers Maine Trail Finder?

Maine Trail Finder is overseen by the Community Geographics (formerly Center for Community GIS), a Maine-incorporated L3C company that supports public interest mapping efforts. The website exists because of partnerships, collaboration, and widespread public involvement. Major project supporters are listed on the MTF Supporters page. Financial contributions have been matched in value through significant in-kind support from trail managers, steering committee members, and students who all assist with promoting the project, GPS’ing trails, organizing trainings, and sharing information about trails.

What else do I need to know when using MTF?

Have fun. Be safe. Show respect. Be a good trail steward and show respect for the places that trail managers and private citizens make available for public use and enjoyment.

Share your knowledge. Sign up for a free Maine Trail Finder account and submit trip reports to help keep trail content engaging and current. This information is not only useful for trail users, it also helps trail managers and land owners better manage their trails. Also don't forget to tell your friends about MTF, like us on Facebook, and follow us on Instagram.

Give us feedback. Contact us about what works well and what we can do to make MTF even better.

Does it cost anything to submit an event to the calendar?

No. Maine Trail Finder and our partners and funders are committed to increasing Mainers’ awareness of trails and outdoor recreational activities statewide. We added the events calendar to allow any group to share its public recreation-related events with the entire MTF community. 

Will I be notified when my submitted event is approved?

No. We are committed to reviewing and posting events within three business days from the time that they are submitted. Please check the events calendar if you want to confirm that your event has been approved. If we have any questions about your event, we will reach out for clarification by email.

Can I download trail data from Maine Trail Finder?

Unfortunately, no. Maine Trail Finder stewards all the trail data you see on behalf of our partnering trail managers. In some cases, we are bound by signed data redistribution agreements that prohibit us from making it possible to provide downloadable digital data right from the site or by email request. Some of the larger trail managers do provide data downloads (GPX/KML files) from their own sites. Users with GPS-enabled mobile devices will find that "blue dot" technology allows real-time location tracking, so that you can see where you are in a trail network on your device if you like. 

Is there a Maine Trail Finder app?

No. We've got nothing against apps, but we have deliberately chosen to focus our resources and energy on creating and sharing the best available trails information via this mobile-friendly website.

Where can I ride my horse?

Although some of the trails listed on Maine Trail Finder allow equestrian use, the website is focused on people-powered trails. If you are interested in riding a particular trail, we recommend contacting the trail manager to find out if horses are allowed. We list their contact information at the bottom of every trail posting.

Still Have Questions?

If you don't see your question answered here, please feel welcome to Contact Us.

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