Birdwatching Boating (motorized) Camping Canoeing Cross-country skiing Fishing Hiking (trails) Hunting Snowmobiling Snowshoeing Swimming Watchable wildlife Trailered boat launch

Description

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Visit the legendary Mt. Kineo and camp, boat and fish on Maine's largest lake.

Moosehead Lake, New England's largest freshwater body, lies at the gateway to the North Maine Woods and offers camping, fishing, hunting, paddling, hiking, paddling, snowmobiling and cross-country skiing opportunities. The sheer face of Mount Kineo, with 700-foot cliffs, forms the centerpiece of a spectacular landscape long cherished for its natural beauty and plentiful resources.

Moosehead Lake is the headwaters of the Kennebec River, and represents a critical hub in a network of traditional canoe routes. Two ancient carries (where natives portaged boats and gear) linked Moosehead with the West Branch of the Penobscot and the Allagash rivers, and with the Penobscot's North Branch and the St. John River. Recreational paddlers today still enjoy water trails such as the Northern Forest Canoe Trail that stretches 740-miles from northernmost Maine west to Quebec and the Adirondacks.

The cool, deep waters of the lake are exceptionally clean. Moosehead draws pleasure boaters in warm-weather months and fishermen at all seasons, with landlocked salmon (stocked), native brook trout (squaretails), and lake trout (togue). Site-specific fishing information is available from the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife. Hunters come in search of black ducks, wood ducks, partridge, white-tailed deer, bear and moose (for which the region is famous). Birdwatchers find a remarkable variety of species in the area. Visitors may hear or see up to 20 species of warblers along with less common boreal birds. The cliffs of Mt. Kineo are home to peregrine falcons, and support a critical breeding site for this endangered species that has been active since 1987.

Western Shore

Along the western shore of Moosehead lies the village of Rockwood, where a shuttle runs out to Mt. Kineo (elevation 1,789 feet). Farm Island (a 980-acre State wildlife preserve with several camping sites) is also accessible from Rockwood. The East Outlet along this shoreline is a popular setting for whitewater paddling while the West Outlet offers quieter waters. The Little Moose Public Lands (see Nearby Destinations) are readily accessible from this side of the lake. There are two large paved boat launches at Greenville and Rockwood.

Eastern Shore

Lily Bay State Park (see Nearby Destinations), along the lake's southeastern shore, offers waterfront camping with easy access to many natural attractions along the lake's eastern side including boat access to Sugar Island (4,208 acres) and Spencer Bay; hiking opportunities in Days Academy Grant; and class II & III whitewater paddling and fishing along the Roach River. There are four public boat launches on the east shore (Lily Bay State Park, Jewett Cove, Cowan Cove, and Norcross Brook).

When to Visit The public lands surrounding Moosehead Lake offer abundant recreation at every season of the year. Boaters and campers enjoy the warm weather months, followed by hunters in October and November and ice fishermen and snowmobilers in mid-winter. Surface fishing for salmon and trout is usually best in the weeks following ice out (typically early to mid-May) or when the waters cool in September. Be prepared for black flies and mosquitoes, particularly in May and June.

Four Seasons of Outdoor Adventure The Moosehead Lake region provides diverse recreational experiences throughout the year. While opportunities are many, here are a few seasonal highlights: Spring: Fishing for landlocked salmon, brook trout, and togue (lake trout) has drawn visitors here for generations. Trolling on the lake and casting on the ponds, streams, and rivers produces not just fish but fond memories as well. In the forests, migratory birds of the boreal and northern hardwoods forests call out upon their arrival. Summer: Hiking, boating and paddling, camping, swimming, wildlife watching, and continued fishing make summertime an ideal time to experience Moosehead's shoreline. Taken together, there are over 160 public campsites available at Lily Bay State Park and the remote campsites scattered along Moosehead's shoreline. Hiking trails at Mount Kineo and Little Kineo Mountain give a wide view of the lake and the sprawling forests surrounding it. Fall: As the air chills around Moosehead in the fall, foliage turns brilliant shades of red, yellow, and orange. Photography and sight-seeing are at their peak. Fall also means the start hunting seasons a

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History

For a guided tour of the region's geologic highlights, see Moosehead Lake and the Tale of Two Rivers.

Glaciers and First Inhabitants

The landscape around Moosehead Lake was shaped by a mile-thick ice sheet that covered the area between 18,000 and 12,000 years ago. The ice sheet carried off most of the soil, leaving exposed bedrock and a deep bowl where the Lake now lies. Mount Kineo and Little Kineo have gentle slopes to the northwest and steep southeast faces due to the scouring and plucking action of the glaciers that moved across the region from northwest to southeast. Not long after the glaciers receded, the first Paleo Indians came to this area, leaving some evidence of early encampments near Moosehead Lake.

Mt. Kineo held great significance - both mythic and practical - for Wabanaki Indians such as the Penobscots who have lived around Moosehead over the past 1,000 years. (The name Kineo derives from a Wabanaki warrior of legendary power, Kinneho.) Indians relied on flint-like felsite and rhyolite from Mt. Kineo to make stone tools (such as arrowheads and chisels) that were used and traded throughout New England.

Settlers and Rusticators

European settlers first came to the Greenville area in the 1820s, after Maine became its own state. Several decades later, writer and naturalist Henry David Thoreau documented his perspectives on Moosehead in, The Maine Woods: "You see but three or four houses for the whole length of the lake, and the shore is an unbroken wilderness."

That soon changed as the region became popular among wealthy "rusticators" who came by train and steamboat to enjoy outdoor pursuits. Sporting camps sprouted up along Moosehead’s shoreline, and on the Kineo peninsula a series of progressively grander hotels was built to accommodate up to 500 guests.

Forestry and Conservation

Forestry has long been critical to the local economy, and log drives were an annual ritual in the area up through the 1970s. Lands now held by the State at Days Academy Grant supplied white birch for spools while other lands at Days Academy fed pulp mills.

The public lands by Moosehead Lake were acquired through several transactions. Recognizing the importance Mt. Kineo holds for the people of Maine, the Land for Maine's Future Program funded purchase in 1990 of the entire peninsula north of the cliff face, with help from The Nature Conservancy . The former owners of Farm Island, Julia E. Crafts Sheridan and R. Philip Sheridan, generously gave the State that 980-acre island in 1971. The State acquired lands at Days Academy Grant and Sugar Island as part of land trades with two paper companies. The State holds a conservation easement on nine additional miles of shorefront lands (a 500-foot corridor) providing continued public access to more of the lake's eastern shoreline.

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Activities

• Birdwatching
• Boating (motorized)
• Camping
• Canoeing
• Cross-country skiing
• Fishing
• Hiking (trails)
• Hunting
• Snowmobiling
• Snowshoeing
• Swimming
• Watchable wildlife

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Rules

• Kindle fires only in authorized campsites with fire rings and cut no live vegetation.
• Carry out all trash.
• Do not discharge weapons within 300 feet of any picnic area, camping area, parking area, posted hiking trail or other developed area. Loaded firearms are not permitted at campsites or on hiking trails. Farm Island is a designated wildlife sanctuary with no hunting or trapping allowed.
• Bureau of Parks and Lands staff may take custody of any personal property left unattended for more than 3 days (unless advance written permission is given).
• Campers may not exceed a 14-day stay in a 45-day period.

Consider lending a hand. Contact us if you would like to help with stewardship or maintenance work.

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Trails

On all trails, wear sturdy footwear, carry water and extra layers, and take care near cliffs - particularly in damp and slippery conditions. If traveling to Mt. Kineo via the boat shuttle in Rockwood, confirm departure times before hiking and gauge plans accordingly.

Mt. Kineo (4.2-5 miles roundtrip, allow 3 hours in good conditions) Mt. Kineo is not accessible by road: most visitors arrive via a commercial boat shuttle from Rockwood (a crossing of 0.8 miles) that operates during summer. From the dock, turn left and follow the shoreline path leading past private property to the State lands. Bear right on the Indian Trail or left for the other trails (all marked by blue blazes).

Indian Trail (0.9 miles to summit) climbs steeply along open ledge to the summit;

Bridle Trail (1.1 miles to summit) provides a less steep route to the summit for hikers or snowmobilers;

(2.2 miles from dock to Hardscrabble Point) follows the west shore of the peninsula; and

North Trail (1.9 miles from Hardscrabble Point to summit) provides a more gradual ascent up the eastern side of the peninsula. The summit has a converted fire tower (used until about 1960 by the Maine Forest Service) with an observation deck that offers 360-degree views.

Little Kineo (3 miles roundtrip, 1.5 hours) A relatively easy hike, Little Kineo offers a primitive trail in a remote setting. Hikers can enjoy great views in many directions from several open ledge areas.

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Tours and Programs

Visit Take-it-Outside for current event information on all Bureau of Parks & Lands locations.

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Services and Facilities

• Trailered boat launch
• See Visitor Accessibility

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Special Considerations

Moosehead Lake water is cold and winds can arise suddenly and create dangerous conditions for boats. Children 10 years of age and under must, by law, wear a Type I, II, or III PFD while on board all watercraft. All boaters should wear a PFD at all times in small boats; notify someone of your intended route and time of return; and monitor conditions carefully (particularly when crossing open waters, including the crossing to Mount Kineo).

The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (MDIFW) Warden Service does search-and-rescue operations and enforces state fish and game laws, boating laws (on inland waters), and ATV and snowmobile laws. To learn more about applicable laws and to purchase appropriate licenses, visit IFW.

Buy only local firewood: Burn It Where You Buy It and thoroughly clean boats and motors to avoid importing invasive plant and animal species.

Don't count on your cell phone in an emergency as coverage may be spotty to non-existent.

The region's abundant moose, bear and other large animals can create hazards when in close contact with people (or their vehicles). Drive slowly on area roads (particularly at times of low light) and observe wildlife from a safe distance. Keep food items securely stowed when camping and make sure that tents and their contents are free of food and food odors.

Take care traveling along area logging roads, pulling over and stopping for trucks regardless of which direction they're headed. Avoid roads that are too narrow for two vehicles, do not block side roads and never stop in a spot with poor visibility. Roads can be dusty in dry weather and washed out in wet weather. Gravel roads are hard on tires (and suspension systems): travel slowly and carry a spare tire.

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When to Visit

Open All Year

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