Viewing The Race
The Start
Certainly the best place to view the Can-Am Races is from Main Street in Fort Kent! The starting line is located directly in front of Key Bank and Subway. Teams will run all the way from there to just before the Border Station, where they take a slight right to go under the bridge. From there they follow along Route 161 and cross at Village Road to pick up the Heritage Trail (snowmobile trail).
Viewing Day/Time: Saturday from 8 am - 11 am
Tips:
- Arrive early to get a good viewing spot
- Please leave pet dogs home.
Along the Trail
If you have a snowmobile, there are a number of places to watch teams pass along the Heritage Trail. All three races travel the same beginning 10 miles, and plenty of snowmobilers find a good out of the way spot along the rail trail to park and watch. The trail also crosses a number of side streets that are accessible via vehicle.
Best Viewing Days/Times: Saturday from 8:15 am - 11:30 am
Tips:
- Be sure to park well off the trail so as not to interfere with other trail users.
- If traveling along the trail during race hours, please watch carefully for teams and slow down as you pass any.
- Some dogs are fearful of the noise of snowmobiles; turning your engine off while stopped will help!
- Please leave pet dogs home.
100 Checkpoint: Allagash
The checkpoint on the Can-Am 100 is at the Allagash Town Office. Spectators are welcome, though are not allowed where the dog teams are resting. You can watch teams arrive at the checkpoint and observe mushers caring for their dogs from a distance. Most mushers will only stay at this checkpoint for the required 3 hours, so stick around and watch teams leave for the second and final leg of this race!
Best Viewing Days/Times: Saturday from ~1 PM - 7 PM
250 Checkpoint #1: Portage
The first checkpoint on the Can-Am 250 is in Portage Maine across from Dean's Motor Lodge. Spectators are welcome, though are not allowed where the dog teams are resting. You can watch teams arrive at the checkpoint and observe mushers caring for their dogs from a distance. Grab a bite to eat at the restaurant across the street, then watch teams leave for the second leg of the race later in the evening!
Best Viewing Days/Times: Saturday evening from ~4:30 PM - 11 PM
250 Checkpoint #4: Allagash
The final checkpoint on the Can-Am 250 is in Allagash Maine at the Two Rivers Lunch Restaurant. Spectators are welcome, though are not allowed where the dog teams are resting. You can watch teams arrive at the checkpoint and observe mushers caring for their dogs from a distance. Grab a bite to eat at the restaurant, then watch teams leave for the final leg of the race.
Best Viewing Days/Times: Sunday evening from 10 PM - Monday evening at 10 PM
Finish Line
It's always exciting to watch the finish of the races! All 3 races finish at Lonesome Pine Ski Lodge in Fort Kent.
Estimated Finishes:
- Can-Am 30 - Saturday from noon - 4 pm
- Can-Am 100 - Saturday from 9 pm - Sunday 2 am
- Can-Am 250 - Monday from 8 am - Tuesday 10 am
