The Maine Highlands Guidebook The Maine Highlands Guidebook | Page 13

Camp & Hike on
Moosehead Lake
Explore:
Waterfalls
& Gorges
 EARLY LANDING FALLS: on Big
Wilson Stream, Willimantic
Modest waterfall with a scenic
view; easy access.
PHOTO BY
Cait Bourgault
Spring, summer, and fall are perfect for a one-of-a-kind
weekend of paddling, hiking, and sleeping under the
stars with adventurous friends or family.
DAY 1 Pack up your camping gear and head to Lily Bay State Park in
Greenville, on the eastern shore of Moosehead Lake. Along the way,
you will find several outfitters who rent canoes and kayaks.
Set up camp at Lily Bay State Park. Reserve your spot early and pitch your
tent in one of the 38 waterfront camp sites. Explore the walking trails or urge
the kids to play on the playground before dinner. Without electricity, hobo
packets cooked in the campfire coals make for a satisfying dinner. With the
woods at your back and the lake at your feet, watch the sun set over the
water. End the night with a campfire, complete with s’mores and hot cocoa.
DAY 2 Rise bright and early, pack a picnic lunch, and head over to Rockwood.
Put your boats in at the public boat launch on Village Road and paddle beneath
Mt. Kineo’s 700-foot cliffs. Don’t feel like paddling? Take the public ferry!
On land you will find two well-marked trails to Kineo’s peak: the longer and
more gradual Bridle Trail; and the steeper, cliff’s edge Indian Head Trail.
Mt. Kineo has an elevation of 1,788 feet, but its summit affords amazing
360 degree views of the surrounding lakes and forests. Intrepid hikers
can climb an old fire tower at the peak for an incredible panorama before
heading back down to the shore.
Head back to Lily Bay State Park to cool off with a dip in Moosehead Lake’s
cool, clear waters and relax at camp with a good book or a game of cards. After
dinner, a quiet sunset paddle may yield glimpses of loons bobbing and diving.
Notice how long they stay underwater and how far away they surface!
DAY 3 Break camp and load up. Head into Greenville for lunch, sampling
local specialties like baked beans, red hot dogs, and whoopie pies.
FOR RUGGED ADVENTURERS
Paddle out to find three first-come-first-served
primitive campsites on the shores of Kineo State
Park and three on nearby Farm Island. Sites are
grassy with a picnic table, fire pit, and outhouse.
GULF HAGAS: Katahdin Iron Works
Forest near Brownville Junction
Four named waterfalls (Screw Auger,
Buttermilk, Billings, and Stair) and
numerous cascades and swimming
holes on a 8-mile loop trail.
 HAY BROOK FALLS:
KI Jo-Mary Multiple Use Forest
Little-known horsetail waterfall
with a 25-foot plunge and a view.
 HIGH BRIDGE: Katahdin Iron Works
Forest about 33 miles from Millinocket
Little waterfall with a wonderful
swimming hole; easy access.
 LITTLE WILSON FALLS - UPPER
AND LOWER: Elliotville Township
A 25-foot tall waterfall and swimming spot;
popular stop with Appalachian Trail hikers.
A
 BOL FALLS: West Branch of the
Penobscot River near Baxter State Park
Serene woodland surroundings and
a beautiful view of Katahdin.
K
 ATAHDIN FALLS: inside Baxter State
Park near Katahdin Stream Campground
Maine’s tallest waterfall, gorgeous and rustic.
L
 EDGE FALLS: inside Baxter State Park
Natural water slides and rapids
popular for swimming
S
 AWTELLE FALLS: Township 6, Range 7
(Shin Pond Village), west of Pattenk
A 12-foot, 2-tiered waterfall and
swimming spot; easy access.
  SHIN POND FALLS: Township 6,
Range 7 (Shin Pond Village)
An impressive 30-foot drop with
excellent fishing at its base.
For a more detailed list of waterfalls
and gulfs in The Maine Highlands, visit
themainehighlands.com/waterfalls.
THE MAINE HIGHLANDS.COM |
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