News

No more camping on Maine’s Tumbledown Mountain amid increase in litter, fire damage

Campers at this illegal campsite on Tumbledown Mountain used nearby live trees as firewood. Photo: Maine Department of Agriculture, Bureau of Parks and Lands


Camping areas on a popular Maine mountain are now closed due to litter and damage left behind by visitors.

State officials say visitors on Tumbledown Mountain have been leaving behind discarded equipment, fire damage, trampled vegetation, and human and dog feces. Those camping areas are now closed.

A fire-scarred rock area on Tumbledown Mountain resulting from illegal camping (Courtesy Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands)

Bill Patterson with the Maine Department of Agriculture’s Bureau of Parks and Lands says the behavior is damaging a fragile habitat and creating an unwelcome environment for visitors.

Hikers are asked to help by becoming familiar with the seven Leave No Trace principles and educating others, especially children, about respecting the outdoors. Hikers can also call up the bureau to report camping, campfires, or any other illegal use of the mountain.

 

 

Latest Headlines

10 hours ago in Local

Maine Legislature Passes Bill to Study Costs of Climate Change

The bill passed mostly on party lines this week

11 hours ago in Local

Judge Gives DOJ Access to Maine Sports Rosters, But Not List of Transgender Athletes

The judge questioned the motivation of the federal request for information on transgender athletes.

15 hours ago in Local

Motorcyclist killed in 3-vehicle crash in Raymond

A motorcyclist was killed in a three-vehicle in crash in Raymond on Monday evening.

15 hours ago in Local

New data show most ICE detainees in Maine immigration sweep did not have criminal convictions

New data shows only a fraction of nearly 200 people arrested during January’s immigration enforcement surge in Maine had criminal convictions.

1 day ago in Local, National

A Build America, Buy America law is causing construction delays

It has a catchy name — Build America, Buy America — and the lauded goal of bringing manufacturing jobs back…