Moosehead Lake & North Woods: 4-Day Wilderness Escape

The Moosehead Lake region represents Maine at its wildest—100 miles of unbroken forest, the state’s largest lake, genuine wilderness, and more moose than people. This itinerary trades coastal charm for backcountry adventure.

Day 1: Arrival & Greenville

Afternoon: Journey to Greenville

• Drive from Bangor (2.5 hours) or Portland (4 hours)
• Scenic Route 15 - Through forest and past ponds
• Arrive Greenville (2pm)
• Check into lodging

Late Afternoon: Town & Lake

• Greenville Junction Depot (3pm) - Historic train station, gift shop
• Moosehead Lake overlook - First views of massive lake
• Downtown Greenville walk - Small but authentic logging town
• Stress Free Moose Pub - Local hangout, moose-watching tips

Evening: Moose Safari

• Sunset moose tour (6pm, $40-50) - Guided van/truck tour
  • Odds of seeing moose: 80%+ with guide
  • Dawn tours also available (book ahead)
• Or: Self-drive moose search - Drive logging roads at dusk
• Dinner at Rod-N-Reel Cafe - Comfort food, locals’ spot

Lodging: Greenville Inn, Blair Hill Inn, or Chalet Moosehead

Day 2: Mount Kineo & Lily Bay

Morning: Mount Kineo Adventure

• Rockwood boat shuttle (9am, $15 round-trip) - Only access to trailhead
• Hike Mount Kineo (10am-1pm):
  • Indian Trail: Steep, 1.2 miles to summit (recommended)
  • Bridle Trail: Gentler, 2 miles
  • Summit: 360° views of Moosehead, 700-foot cliffs
• Return boat - Wave flag at dock for pickup

Afternoon: Lily Bay State Park

• Pack lunch or Rockwood General Store - Grab sandwiches
• Drive to Lily Bay State Park (40 min north of Greenville)
• Lily Bay Beach (2pm) - Swim in crystal-clear water
• Rowell Cove Campground area walk - Stunning lake views
• Wildlife watching - Loons, eagles common

Evening: Kokadjo

• Drive to Kokadjo (30 min) - Tiny hamlet, 3 year-round residents
• Northern Pride Lodge restaurant - Dinner in the wilderness
• Sunset at First Roach Pond - Just past Kokadjo
• Return to Greenville (45 min drive)

Lodging: Same as Day 1

Day 3: Seaplane, Lake Activities & Baxter Preview

Morning: Seaplane Adventure

• Currier’s Flying Service (9am, $75-150/person)
  • Scenic flight over Moosehead
  • See Mount Katahdin from the air
  • Fly over wilderness camps
  • 20-45 minute flights available
• Best morning activity in the region

Late Morning: Greenville Cove

• Moosehead Marine Museum (11am) - Steamship Katahdin tours (seasonal)
• Or: Indian Pond paddle (rentals in Greenville)

Afternoon: Drive Toward Baxter

• Lunch in Greenville - Kelly’s Landing, lakefront dining
• Drive the Golden Road (2pm) - Legendary logging road toward Baxter
  • Ripogenus Dam - Impressive hydroelectric dam
  • Chesuncook Lake overlook - Remote wilderness lake
  • Logging trucks - Give them wide berth!

Late Afternoon: Baxter State Park (South Gate)

• Enter Baxter (4pm) - Togue Pond Gate
• Daicey Pond or Kidney Pond - Easy walks, stunning Katahdin views
• Or: Sandy Stream Pond - Moose viewing spot

Evening

• Return to Greenville (1.5 hours)
• Or: Stay at Baxter campground (book months ahead)
• Dinner at Stress Free Moose - Burgers, pizza, local vibe
• Last moose search drive (dusk)

Lodging: Greenville or Baxter State Park camping

Day 4: Final Morning & Return

Morning: Choose Your Adventure

Option A: Katahdin Stream Falls Hike

• Early start (7am) - Drive to Katahdin Stream Campground
• Hike to Katahdin Stream Falls (2 miles round-trip, easy)
• Katahdin views - Maine’s highest peak from base
• Return by 11am

Option B: Gulf Hagas “Grand Canyon of Maine”

• Full day commitment - 8-mile loop
• Dramatic gorges and waterfalls
• Need: Good boots, water, snacks, stamina

Option C: Lazy Lake Morning

• Breakfast at Auntie M’s (Greenville)
• Final lakefront walk
• Greenville shops - Pick up souvenirs
• Early departure

Afternoon: Return Journey

• Route 15 South to Bangor/Portland
• Stop at Monson - Appalachian Trail town, cafe
• Or: Route 6/16 East toward coastal Maine
• 3-4 hour drive back to civilization

Essential Information

Best Time to Visit

Summer (June-August): All activities open, warmest, peak moose viewing Fall (September-October): Spectacular foliage, fewer bugs, still accessible Spring (May): Ice-out, fishing opener, mud season challenges Winter (January-March): Snowmobiling paradise, extreme cold, limited services

What Makes This Region Special

• Moosehead Lake: 75,000 acres, 40 miles long, Maine’s largest
• Wilderness: 100-mile unbroken forest to Canadian border
• Authentic: No gift shops, no tourism veneer, real Maine
• Wildlife: Moose density highest in state
• Remoteness: Cell service spotty, embrace disconnection

Practical Considerations

Gas: Fill up in Greenville, next station 50+ miles Groceries: Stock up in Greenville or before arrival Cell Service: Verizon best, others spotty/none Cash: Some places card-only, others cash-only (have both) ATM: Limited, get cash before trip Lodging: Book ahead, limited options Restaurants: Closes early (8pm), limited choices

What to Pack

• Layers: Mornings cold even in summer (40s)
• Rain gear: Weather changes quickly
• Sturdy boots: Trails rocky
• Bug spray: Black flies (June), mosquitoes (summer)
• Water bottles: Fill up, limited options
• Snacks: Long drives between meals
• Camera: Wildlife and scenery
• Binoculars: Moose/eagle watching
• Headlamp: Early/late outdoor time
• Offline maps: Cell service unreliable

Wildlife Viewing Tips

Moose:

• Dawn/dusk most active (5-8am, 6-9pm)
• Look for them feeding in ponds/marshes
• Stay in vehicle, give 50+ feet distance
• Never approach (can be aggressive)
• Prime spots: Lazy Tom Bog, 3/6/15 triangle

Eagles: Often seen fishing along lake Loons: Their calls echo across lake nightly Black Bears: Rare sightings, more common inland

Safety Notes

• Logging trucks: Pull over, let them pass
• Roads: Many unpaved, washboard surfaces
• Wildlife on roads: Drive carefully, especially dusk/dawn
• Weather: Can change dramatically, be prepared
• No services: Emergencies = long wait for help
• Tell someone: Share itinerary (seriously)

Budget Estimate (per person, 2 sharing)

Lodging: $400-800 (4 nights, varies by choice) Meals: $200-300 (limited restaurant options) Activities: $150-250 (seaplane, moose tour, boat shuttles) Gas: $100-150 (significant driving + remote = expensive gas) Total: $850-1,500 per person

Budget Tips

• Camp at Lily Bay State Park ($30/night)
• Pack cooler with groceries
• Skip seaplane (expensive but worth it once)
• Self-guided moose tour (free, 60% success rate)

Extend Your Trip

Add Days For:

• Full Baxter exploration: 2-3 more days
• Katahdin climb: Summit Maine’s highest (full day, experienced hikers)
• Allagash Wilderness Waterway: Multi-day canoe trip
• Fly-in wilderness camp: Stay at remote sporting camp

Connect With:

• Aroostook County: 2-3 hours north
• Bangor: 2.5 hours southeast
• Western Mountains: 2 hours west
• Downeast: 3 hours east

Why Visit Moosehead?

This isn’t coastal Maine with lobster shacks and lighthouses. This is Maine before tourism, before paving, before civilization made it safe and predictable. Greenville has one supermarket, a few restaurants, and more logging trucks than Prius.

You’ll see moose. You’ll paddle pristine water. You’ll stand atop Mount Kineo and see nothing but forest stretching to Canada. You’ll eat at restaurants where flannel is formal wear and the waitress knows every customer.

If you want wilderness without backpacking, wildlife without zoo enclosures, and Maine as it was 100 years ago—Moosehead delivers. Just fill your gas tank and embrace the wild.