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There’s a reason they call it the Pine Tree State.
The positive effects of being in nature—and among trees, specifically—are well documented. According to the Department of Environmental Conservation, studies suggest forest or nature exposure may reduce stress, improve mood and sleep, and help lower blood pressure. And while you can certainly find forests across the U.S. in which to reap these benefits, it may be most effective to visit one state in particular: Maine.
Studies suggest forest or nature exposure may reduce stress, improve mood and sleep, and help lower blood pressure.
After drawing data from the United States Department of Agriculture Forest Inventory and Analysis data pulled by Stacker, World Population Review ranked the most-forested states based on the percentage of total land covered by forests. True to its name, the Pine Tree State came out on top at 89 percent. The Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry confirmed the ranking, noting that “90 percent of the state remains forested.” The New England state has about 3,292 trees per capita and roughly 18 million acres of forest land.
The next time you find yourself in Maine and want to spend as much time as possible in its forests, there are a few places you can go. Start with Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument, which is also one of the darkest places for stargazing in the eastern U.S. Located in the present and traditional homeland of the Penobscot Nation, the national monument has more than 50 miles of trails for day hikers as well as those who plan to backpack over the course of a few days.
The Appalachian Trail also begins (or ends) in Maine, and its eastern section—from Monson to Katahdin—is referred to as the “100-Mile Wilderness.” This is an incredibly remote (read: you’ll have plenty of time hiking through forests) part of the famed trail, and it shouldn’t be attempted without proper preparation.
If you’re looking for something a bit more casual, but equally peaceful, walk among the cedar and spruce fir trees of Bog Brook Cove Preserve, where you can enjoy both waterfront and forest views. Wolfe’s Neck Woods State Park on Casco Bay is a short drive from Freeport and a great place to enjoy the beauty of white pine and hemlock forests. Also on Casco Bay, the 2.2-mile Cliff Trail has been called the “most underrated state forest trail,” so you’ve got options aplenty.
While Maine took the top spot in World Population Review’s rankings, it was closely followed by its neighbor to the south, New Hampshire (83 percent); West Virginia (78 percent); and Vermont (76 percent).
Read the original article on Travel & Leisure
