Backpack Trail Guide

Trails / Maine / Kennebec Valley

Appalachian Trail: Carry Ponds and Pierce Pond to the Kennebec

Appalachian Trail, Long Falls Dam Road to Caratunk

East of the Bigelow Range, the Appalachian Trail drops into a quieter stretch of ponds and old-growth pine on its way to the Kennebec River. Backpacker’s 2013 description tours four ponds, and WillhiteWeb explains the history: the Carry Ponds were a portage route between the Maine coast and the St. Lawrence used by Native Americans and known as the Great Carrying Place. In 1775, Benedict Arnold marched about 1,100 Continental Army troops through here toward Quebec.

The trip ends at the Kennebec, which the AT crosses by canoe. The Maine Appalachian Trail Club runs a free ferry in season, and the river is about 400 feet wide.

The hike

N2Backpacking started a September 2019 trip at Long Falls Dam Road, where a shuttle dropped the group off because parking is very limited. From there the trail climbs briefly, then descends gradually to West Carry Pond, about 3.5 miles in. Backpacker says the West Carry Pond Lean-to sleeps eight and lists water from the pond or a low, housed spring. A short distance north is Arnold’s Point, which N2Backpacking says is named for Arnold, whose force crossed the pond.

The trail then passes East Carry Pond. Backpacker notes its sandy beach and good swimming, and both N2Backpacking and a Views from the Top writer stopped there; the latter’s companion soaked her feet “in the warm water.” Backpacker’s route also passes an Arnold Swamp.

N2Backpacking puts Pierce Pond about 13.5 miles from Long Falls Dam Road. The AT crosses a wooden dam at the pond’s outlet; Backpacker lists the Pierce Pond Lean-to as sleeping six, with a privy, and a 0.1-mile trail to Pierce Pond Stream falls. The Views from the Top group passed the lean-to in mid-afternoon and heard loons on the pond. A side trail of about 0.3 mile leads to Harrison’s Pierce Pond Camps, a traditional sporting camp that WillhiteWeb says is known among hikers for a big pancake breakfast. The Views from the Top group stayed in a cabin there and wrote about a dozen pancakes made with raspberries, blueberries, and apples.

From Pierce Pond, the trail follows Pierce Pond Stream down to the Kennebec, 3.7 miles by WillhiteWeb’s count; the Views from the Top group walked about 3.5 miles from Harrison’s to the ferry. N2Backpacking describes the stream “cascading” down the mountain.

At the river, the ferry is the official route. MATC’s 2026 schedule runs from 9 to 11 a.m. from late May through June and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. from July through September. Hikers sign a release, wear a life jacket, and follow the operator’s directions. MATC’s warning is blunt: “Do not attempt to ford the river.” Upstream dam releases can change the depth and current suddenly. Across the river is US 201 near Caratunk, where the AT continues north toward Monson.

To the west, the AT climbs into the Bigelow Range.

Tips

Camping

No permit was found for this section. The Appalachian Trail Conservancy’s summary of Maine rules says to camp at designated shelters and campsites when in doubt, allows campfires only at designated sites, and prohibits camping above treeline. The lean-tos on this stretch are at West Carry Pond and Pierce Pond; WillhiteWeb calls Pierce Pond the last official site before the river. The Maine Appalachian Trail Club maintains the trail.

Inside Intel: Hikers who’ve written about this section single out Pierce Pond. The Views from the Top writer called the weekend “the most memorable weekend we’ve spent on the trail in New England” and recommended booking dinner at Harrison’s ahead of time; WillhiteWeb also describes the Pierce Pond campsite and shelter as popular.

Trail facts

The Lowdown

Loons and a cold night at Pierce Pond:

The last lean-to before the Kennebec sits by the water, and pondside nights in late season can be chilly. See the sleeping bags testers rate.

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Where this comes from

This page draws on the sources below, along with other guides and trip reports. Links go to the original pages.

Before you go: This page is based on published trail guides, trip reports, and reviews, along with official park and agency information where we could find it. It’s meant to help backpackers discover new trails, not to replace current, official information. Conditions, closures, permits, campsites, and water sources change, and some details here may be out of date or wrong. Confirm everything with the managing agency and check current conditions before you head out, and don’t rely on this page alone for safety or navigation. Backcountry travel involves risk.