The Orono Bog Boardwalk has closed for the winter.  We plan to reopen in spring 2024. 

Please visit our facebook page for the most up-to-date information on boardwalk hours of operation.

We are pleased to announce the publication of:

The Bog Walker’s Companion – A Guide to the Orono Bog Boardwalk. Jerry R Longcore, James E. Bird, and Robert Klose (editors). University of Maine Press, Preface by Bernd Heinrich. Price: $28.00 + shipping and handling.

Click here to find book information and how to order your copy.

 

The Orono Bog Boardwalk is a premier destination in the Bangor/Orono area for persons wishing to experience the beauty and fascinating plants and animals of a Maine bog.  The 1-mile boardwalk loop trail begins at the forested wetland edge in the Bangor City Forest, and after 800 feet crosses the Orono town line into the portion of the Orono Bog owned by the University of Maine.  Along the way the boardwalk passes through a wide range of changing vegetation and environments on its way to the open, peat moss carpeted center of the Orono Bog.

The Bog Boardwalk is a joint venture of the University of Maine, the City of Bangor, and the Orono Land Trust. The Boardwalk is managed by a committee that includes Jim Bird, Director, Jerry Longcore representing the Orono Land Trust, Tracy Willette, representing the City of Bangor, and Dr. Erik Blomberg, representing the University of Maine.  The Founding Director of the Bog Boardwalk was Dr. Ronald Davis, Professor Emeritus at the Climate Change Institute, University of Maine.

Boardwalk visitors encounter a series of well designed, full color signs with illustrations of common species of bog plants and animals, and explanations to go along with them.  Many visitors return to the boardwalk, again and again, to observe the colorful bog and to absorb its tranquil beauty over the changing seasons.  The boardwalk is a wheelchair-friendly facility.  Benches for rest and contemplation are provided at least every 200 feet.

We encourage you to take advantage of nature walks scheduled for next season, which are trips guided by experts in their respective fields that provide insights into the ecology and natural history of the flora and fauna found along the boardwalk.

The Boardwalk is undergoing an exciting rejuvenation that will increase its safety and durability, and ensure that the boardwalk is available to visitors for years to come.  In early 2014 we completed Phase I of this exciting project and replaced the first 105 sections of the Boardwalk with even better sections to help you enjoy this treasure.  If you would like to help us with Phase II of this project, just click on Support on the menu bar above.

Enjoy your time in the bog!

Jim Bird

Orono Bog Boardwalk Director

P.S. You can learn the History of the Orono Bog Boardwalk, the story of how we came to be.  The answers to Bog Frequently Asked Questions will help you understand better this treasure.  So that everyone is safe and gains from the experience we have a few Rules for Enjoying the Boardwalk.

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