Get in
[edit]Hike in on the Appalachian Trail, or drive.
Get around
[edit]See
[edit]- Monson Historical Museum, Greenville Rd. June to mid-October: W 10AM-2PM, Sa 9AM-3PM, also by appointment. A small local museum in the same building as the Appalachian trail center. Run by volunteer, and is a 501-3(C) non-profit organization. Free, donations welcome.
Do
[edit]Hike on the AT, which used to go through town, but now bypasses on a ridge 2 miles west.
- Borestone Mountain Audubon Sanctuary (Borestone Mountain), Bodfish Valley Rd, Elliotsville, ☏ +1 207 781-2330. Park open dawn to dusk, Visitor center 9AM-3PM daily during the summer. Borestone has four trails each offering amazing views and open dependent on time of year and weather conditions. These trails include the 1.1 mile Base trail which crosses an access road several times on the way up to the visitor center, the Summit trail (1 Mile to west peak, and 1.3 miles to east peak), Fox Pen Loop Approx. 0.5 miles, and the Peregrine Trail (0.5 miles). Always check with the visitor center to make sure the trail is open. Suggested $5 non-member adult; $3 non-member student, seniors, and school groups; free for members and children under 6.
Buy
[edit]There is one little gas station in town that sells stuff.
- Poet's Gear Emporium, 13 Pleasant St, ☏ +1 207 997-3597, [email protected]. June to October: daily 8-11AM & 2-5PM. A Ultra light hiking gear store run by the same family that owns and operates Shaw's Hostel. They offer new gear, gear repairs and shake downs as well as resupplies of food and other essentials.
Eat
[edit]- Spring Creek BBQ, 26 Greenville Rd, ☏ +1 207 997-7025. Th-Sa noon-7PM, Su 11AM-5PM.
- The Quarry, 15 Tenney Hill Rd, ☏ +1 207 997-3486, [email protected]. Thu-Sa 6-10PM. The Quarry is a 2023 James Beard Award winning restaurant offering 5-course seasonal meals, and a curated wine list. From $100.
- Monson General Store (The General Store), 12 Greenville Rd, ☏ +1 207 997-3800. Monson General store has a deli in the back where you can order hot and cold sandwiches and salads, and an ice cream shop out back. They also sell general goods including staples and knick-knacks. They have indoor and outdoor seating, although the indoor seating could be called close quarters.
Drink
[edit]Sleep
[edit]- Evergreen Lodge B & B, 182 Greenville Rd, ☏ +1 207-695-3241.
- Shaw's Hiker Hostel, 17 Pleasant St, ☏ +1 207 997-3597. Hostel and resupply depot for the AT. They offer several styles of accommodations as well including private and shared rooms. They will also receive resupply packages for thru hikers to pick up, as well as laundry and onsite Wi-Fi. A good place to stop before or after the 100 mile wilderness.
- Lake Shore House. Hostel, laundry, pub.
Stay safe
[edit]Monson has been known for its slate mines and quarries. Many of them are out of use and flooded now. If you are going to be nearby these abandoned quarries, be aware that they can be hard to self-rescue out of. Recovery attempts can be hard or impossible due to water conditions in the quarries and challenges around draining them. Do not jump into unknown quarries, and never swim alone.
Go next
[edit]
| Routes through Monson |
| Jackman ← Greenville ← | W/N   E/S
|
→ Dover-Foxcroft → Lincoln/Bangor |