Inside Carrabassett Valley’s thawing conflict with the Penobscot Nation

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • June 14, 2026

Six years ago, the Penobscot Nation posted its land in Carrabassett Valley. The tribe owns 24,000 acres there and the decision barred the public from much of the outlying woodlands that bikers, hikers, ATVers and snowmobilers had come to rely on. At the time, the tribal council had received numerous complaints from its members that outside users were not respecting the land. It was littered in trash, and gates were commonly left open or locked behind tribal citizens. Since then, the local ATV club has all but disappeared and the local snowmobile club has dropped from 150 members to 55. New zoning will allow the Penobscot Nation to build more homes on its land in the town. It’s an indicator that the long-chilled relationship between the two governments may be thawing.