WRITTEN BY KATIE SMITH
You don’t have to be a water enthusiast to have an amazing experience in the Moosehead Lake region. There’s shopping, dining, museums, and ways to enjoy the vistas via plane or van.
A day trip to Greenville, the hub of the Moosehead Lake region, is easy since it’s only an hour and a half from Bangor or about three hours from Portland. In addition to Greenville, the region includes the towns of Rockwood, Kokadjo, Lily Bay, Beaver Cove, Shirley, Monson, and Abbot. With so much to explore and plenty of great dining and overnight accommodations, including camping and lakeside hotels, you’ll likely want to extend that day trip into a full vacation.
Here are a few things not to miss while you’re in the area.
Outdoor Fun
While there are many lakes in the area, Moosehead Lake is the star of the show. Moosehead is the largest lake in Maine and the second largest in New England. Whether you’re looking to boat, jet ski, paddle, swim, or just relax on a dock with a good book, the lake life offers something for everyone.
Looking for a little more adventure? You can find whitewater rafting options along the nearby Kennebec River with groups like Northeast Whitewater, which also offers river tubing and guided moose tours and wildlife safaris. After all, what’s a visit to Moosehead without spotting an actual moose?
For a more laid back boating excursion, consider a ride on the historic Steamboat Katahdin. The 1914 steamboat offers a variety of cruises, including tours past Mt. Kineo, blues and brews events, and more.
Speaking of Mt. Kineo (and its historic fire tower that provides a 360-degree view of the Moosehead Lake region and different trails that range from easy to challenging), the area is rich with amazing hiking opportunities. A portion of the Appalachian Trail’s 100 Mile Wilderness cuts through the region — spot by the AT Visitor’s Center in Monson for information.
Other favorite hikes in the area include Big Moose Mountain, Little Moose Mountain, Moxie Falls (featuring a 90-plus foot tall waterfall), and Gulf Hagas.
Inside Activities
If you need a break from the outdoors, or some inside activities during a stretch of rain, the Moosehead Lake region won’t let you down.
The Moosehead Historical Society offers a variety of museums to explore. The Center for Moosehead History, located at 6 Lakeview St. in Greenville, showcases one of the largest Native American tool exhibits in Maine and tells the stories of Moosehead’s Native American families. It’s also home to the annual July Thoreau Wabanaki Trail Festival. The Center also houses The Moosehead Lake Aviation Museum, B-52 Crash Exhibition, and the stories about the region’s people, places, and things, past and present.
Eveleth-Crafts-Sheridan Historical House is an 1890s mansion that offers guided tours from June to October. During the tours you will learn about what life was like on Moosehead years ago, and outside there are stunning gardens to see.
The Lumbermen’s Museum is an informative place to visit if you’ve ever wondered about the timber industry. The museum has a library, timber tools, and is also open from June to October.
Families
If you’re bringing the entire family to Moosehead Lake, Lily Bay State Park is a must-visit. There’s a lovely pebble beach for swimming, a playground, a boat ramp, and a two-mile hiking trail. It’s also a great place for the entire family to fish. And if you’re looking to stay overnight, they offer 90 campsites.
Golfers
If you’re a golfer, you’re going to want to check out the Mount Kineo Golf Course. It’s a 9 hole, par 36 course — and you can only get to it from the shuttle boat that runs from the Rockwood landing. The historic course offers incredible views of Mount Kineo, rising 1,798 feet above the shores of Moosehead Lake from its summit. Mount Kineo Golf Course’s clubhouse offers snacks and drinks, as well as golf club and cart rentals. Golfing is available from Memorial Day Weekend to early October.
Adventure seekers
If you’re looking for something a little more exciting than a simple hike or day at the lake, Northwoods Outfitters offers moose tours, guided hikes, and family fishing trips. It’s also a great place to rent bikes, camping gear, canoes, kayaks, and ATVs.
With so much to see, a seaplane tour is a wonderful way to view the region. Moosehead has a long tradition of seaplanes taking off and landing on the massive lake (see page TK), with plenty of tour options available. Better still, visit Greenville during the annual International Seaplane Fly-In, scheduled for Sept. 5-8 this year, for lots of high-flying fun.
