Skowhegan: Trails, Art, and Events

Skowhegan combines trails along the Kennebec River with public art and a calendar of recurring events. When searching for a hotel, you can consider which focus should shape your stay: a walk with river gorge views, a longer hike, sculptures around town, or a visit during an event. These themes differ both in the kind of experience they offer and in the time they require.

Trails for a Walk or Hike

The Skowhegan River Trail/DeBe Park is a paved, ADA-compliant walking trail through the woods, offering views of the Kennebec River Gorge. The adjoining Philbrick Trail offers a longer hike from downtown via the pedestrian bridge. This means different features are important when choosing between them: the River Trail’s paved surface, woods, and river gorge views, and the Philbrick Trail’s longer hike and starting point in downtown. This distinction can help you plan your day around either a walk or a longer outing on foot.

Art and Sculptures

The Langlais Art Trail includes 21 sculptures by Bernard Langlais displayed in public places around Skowhegan. Residents and visitors are invited to see the various works around town. The Skowhegan Indian is one specific example: the figure depicts a traditional Abenaki fisherman, stands 62 feet tall, and sits on a 20-foot-high base. You can explore the art trail as a collection of 21 works or focus on the subject and dimensions of this particular sculpture.

A Greek Revival Cottage

The Skowhegan History House Museum & Research Center is a Greek Revival cottage built in 1839. This style is inspired by the architecture of ancient Greece. The building’s date and style place it in a historical and architectural context. Alongside the sculptures in public spaces, it offers a different cultural theme: historic architecture. When weighing these themes for your trip, the main distinction is whether you are interested in the works of the Langlais Art Trail or the cottage’s architectural style.

Events Throughout the Year

The Skowhegan State Fair takes place every August and has been held without interruption since 1818. Its program includes entertainment, harness racing, a demolition derby, craft exhibits, livestock demonstrations, vendors, games, and rides. The program ranges from races and the derby to exhibits, demonstrations, and entertainment. The August date is a recurring point of reference for planning your trip; check the specific event dates in advance.

Horse shows are held at the Skowhegan Fairgrounds nearly every summer weekend. The annual Maine Artisan Bread Fair at the Skowhegan State Fairgrounds features breads, pastries, wood-fired pizzas, Maine-made foods, and baking demonstrations. The events have different focuses: horse shows are part of the recurring summer program, while the Bread Fair combines food with baking demonstrations. Details of the Bread Fair program may change from year to year. If you are planning a trip around one of these events, check the specific dates and the announced program.

Discover more destinations: Norridgewock, Madison, Dennistown, Jackman, Caratunk, New Portland

Back to the regional travel guide: Somerset.