About this Location

Facility Overview

The ME 16/27 Appalachian Trail Parking area is an open-air, unpaved roadside trailhead lot strategically situated along the concurrent corridor of Maine State Route 16 and Route 27 in Carrabassett Valley, Maine. Serving as one of the primary access points for the world-renowned Appalachian National Scenic Trail (A.T.) in Maine’s western High Peaks region, the facility occupies a widened gravel turnout and former road alignment set against the dense boreal forest. Because it is an expansive surface lot with no overhead barriers, parking structures, or low-hanging clearance obstacles, it offers unlimited vertical clearance. This makes it fully accessible for standard passenger sedans, crossover utility vehicles, full-size pickup trucks, large SUVs, campervans, roof-rack-equipped overland vehicles, and high-roof adventure rigs.

Prime Location & Nearby Attractions

Positioned right where the Appalachian Trail crosses Route 16/27, this parking area functions as a premier recreational gateway to Maine’s most celebrated alpine terrain:

Appalachian National Scenic Trail (Immediate Access): Step directly from your vehicle onto the trail. Southbound hikers head straight toward North Crocker Mountain (4,228 ft), South Crocker Mountain (4,048 ft), and the glacial amphitheater of Crocker Cirque. Northbound hikers cross into the rugged Bigelow Mountain Range and the scenic trails leading to Horns Pond, West Peak, and Avery Peak.
Sugarloaf Mountain Resort: Located approximately 4 miles to the south, Maine’s premier ski, snowboard, and downhill mountain biking destination features year-round dining, lodging, and golf.
Bigelow Preserve & Flagstaff Lake: Encompassing more than 36,000 acres of public wilderness, pristine shoreline, and alpine ridgelines just 5 miles to the north.
Town of Stratton & Eustis: Situated roughly 5.2 miles north along Route 16/27, providing local provisioning, mountain outfitters, casual restaurants, taverns, and hiker-friendly lodges.
Carrabassett Valley Trail Network: Only minutes away from the Narrow Gauge Pathway, the Carrabassett Valley Outdoor Center, and trailheads connecting to the Maine Huts & Trails backcountry hut system.

Access, Navigation & Transit Connectivity

Access to the lot is straightforward via ME-16/ME-27 (Carrabassett Valley Road), a well-traveled two-lane state highway connecting Kingfield to the south with Stratton and Eustis to the north. Because the lot is an open-gravel pull-off on the shoulder of a high-speed rural route, motorists should slow down well in advance and use their turn indicators when preparing to pull in or out. There is no municipal transit, passenger rail, or fixed-route bus service in this remote wilderness sector. However, during the peak hiking season (June through October), licensed private hiker shuttles operating out of Stratton, Rangeley, and Carrabassett Valley frequently serve this crossing for section hikers and thru-hikers. For highway connections, Route 27 leads south toward Farmington and connects to Interstate 95 near Augusta.

Facility Amenities & Key Features

Open-Air Wilderness Surface: Compacted dirt, crushed stone, and natural gravel ground surface.
No Height Clearance Restrictions: Open-sky footprint suitable for lifted trucks, vans, and vehicles with rooftop boxes, tents, or bicycle mounts.
Official Trailhead Information Kiosk: Features trail maps, safety notices, and informational signage posted by the Maine Appalachian Trail Club (MATC) and state land managers.
Direct White-Blazed Trail Access: Immediate step-off onto the Appalachian Trail in both northbound (Bigelow Range) and southbound (Crocker Range) directions.
100% Free Public Parking: No automated pay meters, no mobile payment apps (SpotHero, ParkMobile, or PayByPhone), and no required parking permits.
Primitive Backcountry Setting: No paved markings, lighting, charging stations, or trash cans; operates on a strict Carry-In/Carry-Out basis.

Ideal For

Day Hikers & Peak Baggers: Fast, convenient staging for tackling the Crocker Mountains, Mount Redington, or Horns Pond day loops.
Appalachian Trail Thru-Hikers & Section Hikers: A critical resupply pickup, shuttle meetup, or car-spotting hub between the High Peaks and the Bigelow Range.
Overnight Backcountry Backpackers: Legal overnight parking for campers heading into designated shelters and campsites across the Bigelow Preserve or Crocker Cirque.
Sugarloaf Area Outdoor Enthusiasts: Visitors exploring Western Maine foliage drives, trail runs, and mountain-bike connections in the valley.

Visitor & Driver Tips

Due to the remote location in the mountains, cellular signal can be weak or intermittent; download offline trail navigation maps and driving directions before leaving Kingfield or Stratton. The lot operates on a first-come, first-served basis, and spaces fill up quickly during peak summer weekends and prime autumn foliage in September and October. Park compactly along the perimeter to leave sufficient turnaround space for larger trucks, shuttle vans, and emergency vehicles. Because this is a wilderness lot with no on-site trash disposal, practice Leave No Trace principles by packing out all personal waste. Winter drivers should note that snow plowing can be limited during active storms, so four-wheel-drive or high-clearance vehicles are strongly recommended when snow is on the ground.