National Wildlife Refuge Sunkhaze National Wildlife Refuge - Benton
Rate this placeLast Updated: December 5, 2025
The Sunkhaze National Wildlife Refuge is located in Benton, Maine, and offers visitors the chance to explore more than 10,000 acres of pristine wilderness.
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Summary
The refuge is home to a diverse range of wildlife, including black bears, moose, and a variety of bird species.
One of the main reasons to visit the Sunkhaze National Wildlife Refuge is to experience the stunning natural beauty of the area. The refuge is filled with lush forests, sparkling streams, and tranquil ponds, making it the ideal destination for anyone looking to get away from the hustle and bustle of daily life.
Specific points of interest to see at the refuge include the Sunkhaze Meadows National Natural Landmark, which is home to a unique ecosystem of grasslands and wetlands. Visitors can also explore the many hiking trails that wind throughout the refuge, offering breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape.
Interesting facts about the area include the fact that the refuge was established in 1988 to protect the Sunkhaze Stream, which flows through the area and provides important habitat for a variety of wildlife species. The refuge is also home to several historic sites, including an old logging camp and a Native American burial ground.
The best time of year to visit the Sunkhaze National Wildlife Refuge is during the fall, when the leaves change color and the landscape is bathed in hues of red, orange, and gold. However, the refuge is open year-round, and visitors can enjoy a wide range of activities throughout the year, including hiking, fishing, and wildlife viewing.
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Park & Land Designation Reference
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
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