Shirley, Maine
Quiet Moosehead Lake gateway south of Greenville
Overview
Just south of Greenville, Shirley offers a quieter base for Moosehead Lake adventures. Camp roads lead to ponds and bogs where moose feed at dawn, and ITS corridors carry sleds toward Monson, Abbot, and Greenville. The village itself remains small and wooded.
Key Facts
Population 240
Region Maine Highlands
County Piscataquis
Founded 1834
Nearest City Greenville (10 minutes)
What Shirley Is Known For
Shirley Local Highlights
Moose watching
Shirley Bog is a well-known dawn and dusk viewing spot.
Trail access
Snowmobile and ATV routes link to Greenville and Monson.
Camp life
Remote ponds and cabins sit a few miles off Route 15.
Things to Do
1
Scout Shirley Bog
Watch quietly for moose along pullouts and logging roads.
2
Ride to Moosehead
Use ITS 85/86 toward Greenville’s trail hub.
3
Paddle remote ponds
Carry a canoe into small waters for trout fishing and solitude.
Living in Shirley
Sparse services in town; groceries, fuel, and restaurants are in Greenville or Monson. Residents rely on wood heat, plowed dirt roads, and generators at remote camps.
Weather & Seasons
summer
Mild, 65-78 F
winter
Cold and snowy, -5 to 20 F
spring
Cool, 35-55 F with mud season
fall
Crisp, 40-58 F and peak foliage
How to Get There
Follow Route 15 north from Monson or south from Greenville; Bangor is about 1 hour 20 minutes via Route 15 and I-95.
Satellite preview shows the approximate town outline to help you get oriented before you arrive.
Satellite preview
Shirley outline
Key Facts
Population
240
Region
Maine Highlands
County
Piscataquis
Founded
1834
Nearest City
Greenville (10 minutes)