The country’s first water trail – the Maine Island Trail – celebrates its 30th anniversary this month.

The creation of the trail helped influence efforts to create other water trails across the country. Today, more than 570 water trails exist throughout the nation.

Maine remains home to many of the most celebrated and historically iconic water trails. Recently, a panel of experts – including the executive directors of the Maine Island Trail Association and the Northern Forest Canoe Trail – joined Maine Public Radio to discuss the variety and history of recreational water trails around Maine.

Listen to the discussion here.