The Golden Road Spring

## Overview The Golden Road Spring is a well-known roadside natural spring located along the Golden Road near Lincoln, Maine, in Penobscot County. Situated in the heart of Maine's vast North Woods, this free, publicly accessible spring has long been a welcome stop for loggers, hunters, anglers, and outdoor enthusiasts traveling the Golden Road — a legendary private logging road that stretches roughly 96 miles through some of the most remote forestland in the northeastern United States. The Golden Road itself was built in the 1970s by Great Northern Paper Company to support timber operations, and springs like this one have served as refreshment points for travelers ever since. Visitors have reported that the water is cool, refreshing, and has a clean, pleasant taste. While no official water quality testing results are publicly available for this spring, it has been used as a drinking water source by locals and passersby for many years without reported issues. A distinctive yellow staircase leads down from the road to the spring's tap, making access straightforward when conditions allow. ## Directions 1. From Lincoln, Maine, head north on **Route 11 (RT11)**. 2. Turn right onto **the Golden Road**. 3. Drive slowly along the Golden Road — the spring is located on the **right side of the road between mile markers 7 and 8**. 4. Watch for **colored ribbons** tied near the roadside that mark the spring's location. 5. Look for the **yellow staircase** leading down from the road to the spring tap. **GPS Coordinates:** 45.4012828, -68.46580542 **Driving Note:** The Golden Road is an unpaved logging road. Drive slowly and cautiously to avoid damage to your vehicle, and be alert for logging trucks, which have the right of way on this road. ## What to Expect The Golden Road Spring is a simple, no-frills roadside spring — exactly the kind of hidden gem that makes traveling Maine's backcountry rewarding. The spring flows to a tap accessible via a yellow staircase that descends from the road. Colored ribbons are tied near the road to help visitors spot the location, which can be easy to miss if you're driving too fast. **Seasonal Considerations:** During winter and early spring, snow banks can obscure both the staircase and the ribbons, making the spring difficult to locate or access. The best time to visit is late spring through fall, when the road and staircase are clear. **Access:** The spring is free, open to the public, and accessible at any time of day. There are no gates, fees, or posted hours. However, keep in mind that the Golden Road is a private logging road — exercise caution, yield to logging trucks, and respect the surrounding forestland. **Surroundings:** The area around the spring is densely forested North Woods terrain. Cell phone service is extremely limited or nonexistent along much of the Golden Road, so plan accordingly and let someone know your travel plans before heading out.