Popham Beach State Park washed out trees. Photo courtesy Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry

Severe storms, heavy rain events, a longer warm season, and record-high temperatures – Maine’s climate is changing, and the state’s outdoor recreation scene is changing with it.

In recent years, the impacts have become obvious in the winter. Less snow has caused Nordic ski trails to close early and sled dog races to be canceled. Unreliable lake ice has resulted in long-standing ice fishing derbies being canceled as well.

Yet, the effects of climate change aren’t just isolated to winter.

Reid State Park washed out boardwalk. Photo courtesy Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry

Maine State Climatologist Sean Birkel said that data suggests Maine is seeing fiercer storms and more extreme weather patterns, something that was predicted in the UMaine climate change report titled “Maine’s Climate Future” back in 2009. And this has greatly damaged trail systems and other infrastructure that recreationists rely on.

“The last few years have really shown a number of these extremes that we need to be able to adapt to and manage moving forward,” Birkel said.

The storms that Maine experienced this past December, January, and April are categorized as extratropical cyclones, Birkel explained. With heavy rain and wind gusting in an unusual southeasterly direction, the storms knocked down countless trees and resulted in power loss throughout much of the state.

Flooded rivers and ocean waves swept away roadways and wharves and caused severe water damage to homes and businesses. The weather also caused significant damage to many trails, beaches, picnic areas, and other outdoor destinations.

The original foot bridge on the Penny Preserve trail system at Blue Hill Heritage Trust was built in 1991. It was constructed to account for an extreme “25-year storm” flood. This past winter’s historic flooding still far exceeded that cushion and washed part of the bridge away. A new bridge was constructed with an additional 16″ of height to withstand future flooding.

Foot bridge on the Penny Preserve trail system, overwhelmed by historic flooding this past winter.
Photos courtesy Blue Hill Heritage Trust.

Based on predictions made by climate scientists, Maine will need to get used to this type of thrashing.

“Data is suggesting that storms are occurring with more rain, and of course, rainfall can exacerbate damage,” Birkel said. “The climate models are consistent that in a warmer climate, extratropical cyclones are expected to be stronger.”

Weather extremes are also a part of the equation. In 2023, for example, Maine experienced the second-wettest growing season on record. During that time, many people canceled camping trips and outdoor excursions due to the near-constant rain and mud. Yet just a few years prior, in 2020, Maine endured the driest growing season on record, one that came with wildfires and drought.

John Daigle, Professor of Forest Recreation Management at the University of Maine, has done a great deal of research on the impacts of climate change on recreation and culture.

Regarding park management and trail maintainers, Daigle said, “I think to the best of their ability, they are reinforcing trails, putting in larger culverts, doing engineering to be more resilient. I do think there are some difficult decisions to be made. Some places we might not be able to rebuild, especially near the coastline.”

In Acadia National Park alone, the recent winter storms destroyed hundreds of feet of roadway. Hiking paths, especially the scenic Ocean Path, were significantly damaged. The railing and staircase leading to the famous Sand Beach were damaged by debris and storm surge. Wooden steps were washed away from Little Hunters Beach. And numerous locations throughout the park required debris cleanup to be reopened to visitors.

“It was just amazing the damage that happened here,” Daigle said. “We did some clean up at Seawall [in Acadia] and there was seaweed way up in the spruce trees. It looked like tinsel on a Christmas tree.”

Rebuilding the Penny Preserve trail system foot bridge with additional height of 16.” Photos courtesy Blue Hill Heritage Trust.

If you’re looking to help clean up the damage to various trails and outdoor destinations in Maine, Daigle suggests that people reach out to local land trusts and trail organizations, which are always looking for volunteers.

Another major impact that is partially due to climate change is the migration of black-legged ticks— also known as deer ticks— and other pests northward, Birkel pointed out.

“The life cycle of the black-legged tick in part depends on the accumulation of heat during the summertime,” Birkel said. “Thirty years ago, most of the state was below the threshold where the black-legged tick could complete its life cycle, but by the 2000s, the climate conditions were such that it could spread more.”

Ticks, which can transmit dangerous diseases such as Lyme Disease, may discourage some people from spending time outdoors, especially during the spring and fall, when ticks are most active. However, people are getting more savvy about tick prevention, identification and treatment, in part thanks to UMaine’s Tick Lab, a hub for tick-related research and education.    

While the presence of disease-carrying ticks may deter people from activities such as hiking and hunting, other sports such as paddling or ATVing could see an increased interest because they don’t involve traveling through tick-heavy habitats. They also don’t require snow.

Yet it’s difficult to speculate what the impacts of climate change will have on Maine’s future outdoor recreation. While some outdoor activities may become less popular, others may thrive.

“It’s really hard to predict,” said Jonathan Rubin, director of the Margaret Chase Smith Policy Center and UMaine professor of economics. “ATVs are doing quite well. ATV registration has grown 84 percent since the 2000-2001 season.”

Approximately 82,000 ATVs were registered in Maine last year. Snowmobile registrations, on the other hand, have declined 26 percent over the past 20 years.

Motorboat registrations are holding steady. However, Maine is experiencing a lengthening of summerlike weather, which extends the season for water sports such as boating, surfing, fishing, and swimming.

“I think we’ve all noticed that September is warmer than when we were kids, and the data shows that,” Birkel said. “September, especially after the late 1990s, has warmed. October as well.”

However, as Maine’s winters shorten and summers extend, Mainers and visitors alike are finding ways to adapt and continue to enjoy the outdoors all year round.

Story by Aislinn Sarnacki. Aislinn has worked as an outdoor journalist for over a decade and is the author of three hiking guidebooks: “Family-Friendly Hikes in Maine,” “Maine Hikes off the Beaten Path,” and “Dog-Friendly Hikes in Maine.” She teaches journalism at the University of Maine and is a registered Maine guide.