Recreation Opportunities in the SFMA
Visitors to the SFMA should be prepared to travel on narrow, gravel-surfaced forest roads. Vehicle traffic for public recreation is limited to two primary trunk roads, the 7 mile-long Brayley Brook Road (north of Webster Lake and Stream) and the 13 mile-long Wadleigh Mountain Road (south of Webster Lake and Stream). Other roads are open to foot traffic. Vehicle access to the area may be restricted at times to protect public safety, roads, and resources.
Signs within the management area offer some information on different stand management activities and forest history. Harvest operations may be underway during every month of the year except April, and visitors should always be prepared to meet a log truck when visiting the SFMA. The posted speed limit for SFMA roads is 20 mph.
The SFMA is one of two areas in Baxter State Park in which hunting and trapping are permitted (with the exception of moose hunting and animal baiting). Forest management activities on the SFMA are generally favorable to game species and the area is a popular destination for local and out-of-state hunters. Please visit our hunting page for more information.
Webster Lake is a popular destination for ice fishing activities and Webster Stream provides some of the only white water canoeing in Baxter Park. Canoeing Webster Stream requires at least one overnight reservation in Baxter Park – contact Park Headquarters for information on this trip.
In the summer of 2004, work was completed on a 4.5 mile new section of the Frost Pond Trail connecting the leanto at Frost Pond with the Wadleigh Brook Trail. This trail provides for a 30 mile loop hike from Trout Brook Farm with camping opportunities at Little East, Webster Stream, Webster Outlet, Hudson Pond, and Frost Pond leantos. The new section of trail traverses the top of Wadleigh Mountain and visits streams and wetlands typical of the SFMA forest. The trail also briefly touches the old-growth edge of the Boody Brook Natural Area primary reserve. More information on the Frost Pond trail addition is available from Park HQ.
For whatever reason that you visit the SFMA, please register at the SFMA entrance. As with any part of Baxter State Park, pets are not permitted. Overnight camping is permitted with a reservation and only at designated campsites. Overnight roadside camping is not permitted.