Overview
Fort Kent is a small town in the Aroostook region of Maine along the USA border with Canada. It is at the end of U.S. Highway 1.
1 sights · 8 things to do · 5 places to eat · 2 bars & cafés · 2 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Fort Kent
University of Maine
Campus at Fort Kent.
Ployes Festival
Scarecrow Festival
Muskie Derby
Can-Am Dogsled Races
Held in March and they bring thousands to the town.
Fort Kent Blockhouse
Plan your trip
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- PQI Presque Isle International Airport, Presque Isle — 47 mi away. Directions
- PWM Portland International Jetport, Portland — 263 mi away (major hub). Directions
There are only 2 roads into Fort Kent from the American side; The most scenic and practical way is likely to take you through the scenic and winding road that is Route 11, taken off Interstate 95 at exit 264. You can follow Route 1 all the way to the end anywhere from Key West Florida to Fort Kent, which historically ends in downtown Fort Kent. You can take the Cyr Bus line out of Old Town, Maine right into town.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 2-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning University of Maine, Scarecrow Festival, Can-Am Dogsled Races
- Lunch Rock's Diner
- Afternoon Fort Kent Country Club, Fort Kent Outdoor Center
- Dinner China Garden
- Evening JD's Tavern
Day 2
- Morning Ployes Festival, Muskie Derby
- Lunch Swampbuck Bar & Restaurant
- Afternoon Fort Kent Blockhouse, Lonesome Pine Trails
- Dinner Al's Tastee Freeze
- Evening Swampbuck
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Chain restaurants include Subway and McDonald's.
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Get in
There are only 2 roads into Fort Kent from the American side; The most scenic and practical way is likely to take you through the scenic and winding road that is Route 11, taken off Interstate 95 at exit 264. You can follow Route 1 all the way to the end anywhere from Key West Florida to Fort Kent, which historically ends in downtown Fort Kent. You can take the Cyr Bus line out of Old Town, Maine right into town.
Border crossing
Go Fort Kent–Clair Border Crossing (Clair–Fort Kent Bridge)
Get around
In addition to the roads there is a public multi-use trail called the Saint John Valley Heritage Trail, starting on Market St across from John's Shurfine and ending 17 miles west in the town of St. Francis. Through Fort Kent, the Heritage Trail travels behind town, but remains within a short distance of downtown. Often you will see locals with using the trail as a part of their daily commute, either on foot, bike, by snow machine, or by ATV. In the summer it is a leisurely way to go around town.
See
Fort Kent has amazing country sides with beautiful rolling fields used for potato farming. Do not be afraid to take side roads as they often lead to these. Some of the nicer ones are Charette Hill Road (Half is closed NOV-MAY), North Perley Brook Road, and South Perley Brook road. They all end up back in town one way or another so ride them until the end and take in the scenery.
Do
Outdoor activities include canoeing down the beautiful St. John River (May - Sept.), snowmobiling (Dec. - Mar.), cruising to the Allagash and watch for moose along the way.
Do Ployes Festival
Do Scarecrow Festival
Do Muskie Derby
Do Fort Kent Blockhouse
Buy
Shop Paradis Stop 'n' Shop
The main grocery store in town and is located in the plaza with TD Bank
Eat
Chain restaurants include Subway and McDonald's.
Drink
If you cross the bridge to Claire, New Brunswick there is a bar that just opened in January 2012 that caters to a younger crowd. They also have a bowling alley that is under construction.
Drink JD's Tavern
Beer and poutine and billiards.
Drink Swampbuck
The most elite restaurant in town. Has a great full bar with a function hall upstairs.
Sleep
There are several motels in Madawaska, Maine but that is close to 35 minutes away and does not offer the same small town feeling as Fort Kent does.
Stay The Northern Door Inn
Located in Downtown Fort Kent across from the Customs border. The obvious choice for those wishing to stay right 'in town'.
Stay The Overlook Motel
Located about 25 minutes out of town in Eagle Lake, Maine but offers private lakeside cabins in addition to regular motel style rooms.
Nearby
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City / town · 18 listings · 10 mi away
Madawaska
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Limestone
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Mars Hill
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My experience
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