Orland sits at the heart of one aof Hancock County's most beautiful corners, with more lakes, trails, and open land than most towns ten times its size. Whether you're a resident or a visitor, there's something here for every season. It’s also a great home base for visiting Maine’s beautiful midcoast area and is an hour from Acadia National Park.
Attend a Festival
- The annual town festival, the Orland River Day, happens annually in September
- Migratory Fish Day each May is a chance to learn about the alewife migration, fishway restoration efforts, and watch them leap up the fishways at the town dam.
Get Outside
Great Pond Mountain Trust and Wildlands
The 5,200-acre Wildlands preserve, managed by the Great Pond Mountain Conservation Trust, is Orland's crown jewel for outdoor recreation. Thirty miles of trails wind through forests, wetlands, and over several small mountains, with the 1,029-foot summit of Great Pond Mountain offering views that stretch to Camden and Acadia National Park on a clear day. Trails are open year-round and accommodate hikers, mountain bikers, horseback riders, snowshoers, and cross-country skiers. Three walk-in campsites are available by reservation. Dogs are welcome on leash on most trails. The main trailheads are accessible from Route 1 (South Gate) and Bald Mountain Road (North Gate). greatpondtrust.org, (207) 469-6929
Craig Brook National Fish Hatchery Trails
The hatchery property in East Orland offers a quiet network of marked trails connecting Alamoosook Lake and Craig Pond through mature mixed forest. The Nature Trail loop is about a mile, with additional side trails along brooks and through tall pines. Picnic tables sit along the lakeshore, and Craig Pond has a sandy beach that locals have been known to call the Caribbean of Maine. The trails are open year-round and free of charge. https://www.fws.gov/fish-hatchery/craig-brook
On the Water
Orland is surrounded by exceptional freshwater. Alamoosook Lake, Craig Pond, and Toddy Pond are all within the town's borders and offer swimming, boating, ice fishing, kayaking, fishing, and paddleboarding. The public boat launch for Toddy Pond is at the East Orland Boat Landing on Route 1, free to use, with parking and a restroom facility. Boat launches on Alamoosook Lake and Craig Pond are accessible from the Craig Brook Hatchery property. Craig Pond is a popular small beach site for families with young children. The Orland River and Narramissic River are popular for paddling, with calm stretches well-suited to canoes and kayaks.
Wildlife Watching
Each spring, typically from mid-May through early June, alewives (river herring) migrate up the Orland River to spawn. You can watch the run from the Orland Dam fish ladder in the village, where thousands of fish make their way upstream. The migration draws bald eagles, osprey, great blue herons, and gulls, making it one of the best wildlife-watching events in the region. The Town of Orland hosts an annual Migratory Fish Day in June, and the Orland River Day celebration in September, with a parade, vendors, a car show, an art show, and many other activities.
Visit Craig Brook National Fish Hatchery
Established in 1889, Craig Brook is the oldest federal fish hatchery in the United States. The visitor center and Atlantic Salmon Fly Fishing Museum are open daily from 9 AM to 2 PM (closed federal holidays), with free self-guided tours. Interactive exhibits follow the life cycle of endangered Atlantic salmon, and a stream model with live young salmon is a perennial favorite for kids. The hatchery is at 306 Hatchery Road in East Orland, off Route 1. Website: https://www.fws.gov/fish-hatchery/craig-brook, (207) 902-1557
Stay Active at the Community Center
The Orland Community Center at 21 School House Road is more than a gathering place. The Orland Fitness Center offers a full range of equipment for all fitness levels, with monthly memberships available. Weekly classes include yoga, Seniors in Motion, TRX, and bootcamp. Outside, you'll find lighted pickleball courts, a children's playground, a walking trail, and a fenced dog park. Bring the kids and the dog and make a day of it.
Orland Recreation programs offer structured activities for children throughout the year. Check the town website or contact the town office for the current schedule.
Eat, Drink, and Gather
- Naiad Country Brewery at 15 Beechwood Lane is a small community brewery and beer garden set in a quietly beautiful spot off the main road, open Thursday through Sunday.
- Ebee's Sweets at the Community Center serves espresso drinks and freshly baked pastries.
- The Hancock Pour House serves great Tavern fare with lots of beer on tap.
- The Alamoosook Lakeside Inn hosts brunches .
Stay Overnight
Orland has lodging for every style.
- The Alamoosook Lakeside Inn offers rooms with views of the lake.
- The Lantern Camp provides a glamping experience for those who want comfort in a natural setting.
- Wanderin Moose Campground
- KOA Bucksport/Fort Knox campground serve tent campers and RV travelers.
- Primitive campsites in the Great Pond Mountain Wildlands are available by reservation for those who want a night in the woods.
Explore the Midcoast Region
Orland sits at a natural crossroads for some of the best destinations in coastal and midcoast Maine. From here you can easily visit:
- Acadia National Park and Bar Harbor are about an hour to the east.
- Bangor, with the region's airport, hospitals, and major retailers, is about 35 minutes north.
- Blue Hill, known for its galleries, music, farmers market, and the famous annual Blue Hill Fair, is roughly 25 minutes away.
- Castine, one of the most beautifully preserved historic towns in New England, is about 20 minutes south.
- Ellsworth, with its full range of shopping and services, is 20 minutes east.
- Fort Knox State Historic Site with the Penobscot Narrows Bridge Observatory, one of the tallest bridge observation towers in the world, is just 10 minutes away in Prospect.
Orland is close enough to all of it, and quiet enough that you'll want to come back.
History
The Orland Historical Society preserves the town's history through artifacts, photographs, and exhibits. Contact the town office for current hours and programming.