Moosehead Lake in Maine, Attractions, Lodging, Restaurants

Maine - The Way Life Should Be

Great Maine Vacations Home: Moosehead Lake in Maine

Moosehead Lake in Maine Vacations

In its interior regions, "Vacationland" holds many surprises. One of which rarely fails to impress those who visit - Moosehead Lake in Maine.

Located in the State's northwestern Piscataquis County...

...Maine's largest lake, which is also the largest lake in the northeastern United States...

...is a dream destination for outdoor sports enthusiasts, or anyone who enjoys the peacefulness of being surrounded by undisturbed wilderness and abundant wildlife.

Whether you imagine filling your precious vacation days with kayaking, fishing, golf, hunting, hiking, biking, whitewater rafting, boating, camping, swimming...

...horseback riding, cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, sightseeing, or simply unwinding - or, as the Lake's name might suggest - moose watching...

...you will find plenty of opportunities to do so in the small villages and towns that surround Moosehead Lake, ME, as well as on the 40 mile by 20 mile lake, itself!

Moosehead Lake in Maine Attractions

As the "gateway to Maine's North Woods" the area around Moosehead Lake in Maine is filled with wonderful things to do.

Surrounded by gorgeous mountains, thousands of acres of lush forest land...

...and home to some of Maine's most interesting wildlife, the Moosehead Lake area in "The Maine Highlands Region", is the perfect backdrop for wilderness adventure.

A 1.5-hour drive from Bangor Maine, or a 3-hour ride from Portland, Maine, can take you to Greenville, Maine, the town that many visitors use as their home base for Moosehead Lake vacations.

However, whether you stay in Greenville, on the south of Moosehead Lake...

...Rockwood on the west, Seboomook or Northeast Carry on the lakes northern fringes, Lily Bay on the west, or at any other point in between, incredible outdoor adventures and activities will be nearby!

West Branch Penobscot River Along the Penobscot River, the Kennebec River, Canada Falls, the Seboomook River and Dead River...

...your heart will pound from May to September as you experience Maine whitewater rafting at its best.

Ask anyone who has been whitewater rafting near Moosehead Lake in Maine and they will likely tell you that it is some of the best in New England, if not in the U.S.

You are also sure to get an adrenaline boost from your first Maine moose sighting. If you stumble across the Maine State Animal on your own...

...come face to face with it on a guided Moosehead Lake safari, or are lucky enough to meet this sizable creature on a Maine moose hunt...

...the thrill is sure to be a highlight of your trip to Moosehead Lake in Maine.

A number of Moosehead Lake outfitters near Greenville, Maine...

...Maine Fly Guide Shop and Guide Service, Northwoods Outfitters, Northeast Guide Service, Wilson Pond Camps, and others...

...all provide extensive services to help visitors fully enjoy their Moosehead wildlife adventures.

Experienced Moosehead Maine guides will take you on Maine moose watching safaris and other wildlife expeditions, and accompany you on whitewater kayaking, whitewater canoeing, and whitewater rafting trips.

However, Moosehead Lake in Maine has more to offer than moose and whitewater!

Moosehead guided tours are also available for hunting, fishing, hiking, snowmobiling and dog sledding. And, guides will show you the best places for overnight wilderness trips in their own Moosehead Lake rentals.

Mount Kineo in Winter As for required gear...

...local outfitters are stocked with rental equipment. Canoe, kayak, ski, snowshoe, ATV and snowmobile rentals are easy to find in the Moosehead Lakes Region.

Another source of superb recreational, for hikers and nature lovers, are the stunning mountains near Moosehead Lake in Maine.

With fantastic lookouts from their summits, particularly during the peak of fall foliage season in Maine (usually late September to early October)...

...Big Spencer Mountain, Little Spencer Mountain, Big Squaw Mountain. Little Squaw Mountain, Number 4 Mountain, Borestone Mountain, Elephant Mountain (location of the B-52 Memorial Site)...

...Mount Kineo - Moosehead's dramatic centerpiece, with 800 foot cliffs that rise from the depths of the lake - and other Moosehead area mountains...

...offer challenging hiking opportunities for novice hikers and experts alike.

Another adventure that is not to be missed, is the hike into what is known as "the Grand Canyon of Maine" - the Gulf Hagas, a nearly four-mile gorge that features spectacular waterfalls and inviting swimming holes.

For less adventuresome activities, although certainly no less interesting...

...Ragged Lake, Lobster Lake, Spencer Pond, Seboomook Lake, First Roach Pond, Upper Wilson Pond, Lower Wilson Pond, the Kennebec River, Penobscot River...

...and dozens of other lakes, ponds rivers, brooks, and streams, offer the fishing enthusiast a plentiful supply of small-mouth bass, land-locked salmon, brook trout and lake trout.

The 925-acre Lily Bay State Park is also a Moosehead Lake vacation favorite ...

Located approximately 9 miles from Greenville, ME, the state park is open year round for pedestrian use, and staffed from May 15th until Columbus Day in October.

Moosehead Lake Moose Fishing, canoeing and kayaking in Prong Pond (in Beaver Cove)...

...a 2-mile shoreline walking trail, a playground, a swim beach, and hiking, can provide a full day of family fun.

And the best part of Lily Bay State Park in Maine...

...you may not have to leave, as there are two distinct campgrounds - Dunn Point Campground and Rowell Cove Campground.

But the ultimate relaxation on your Moosehead Lake vacation may be cruising among the 300 islands that decorate the pristine waters of this beautiful Maine lake!

Rent a boat at a local lodging resort, launch your own at Greenville Junction Wharf, Lily Bay State Park, Rockwood Town Landing, or in Seboomook...

...or, if you don't wish to be your own Captain, enjoy a leisurely Katahdin Cruise.

Departing Greenville, the Katahdin, a National Historic Landmark. ferries passengers on 3-hour sightseeing cruises on Moosehead Lake, and on 4.5-hour "Mount Kineo Cruises".

Before or after your Moosehead cruise, be sure to explore the Moosehead Marine Museum, which holds an extensive collection of steamboat memorabilia and historical photographs of Moosehead Lake in Maine.

Reminders of the Moosehead Region's historical past can also be found...

...in Greenville, at the Moosehead Historical Society. During summer months the Lumberman’s Museum is open, and guided tours of an 1899 Victorian mansion, the Eveleth Crafts Sheridan House, are offered.

Are you a golfer? Your vacation in Moosehead Lake in Maine will be complete once you have hit a few balls at the...

...Squaw Mountain Village Golf Course in Greenville, the Mount Kineo Golf Course at the base of Mount Kineo, or the Leisure Life Resort driving range in Greenville.

Sightseeing amidst the splendid scenery is another reason why tourists love visiting Moosehead Lake in Maine.

The Seboomook Scenic Byway, one of many scenic drives and byways in Maine...

Borestone Mountain Maine ...passes in part alongside Moosehead Lake, making it an excellent location for pictures, picnics and creating long-lasting memories.

However, scenic driving trips in any direction throughout this picturesque region will lead to pleasant surprises - including chance encounters with abundant Maine wildlife.

Deer, moose, bear, bald eagles, osprey, otter, beaver, partridge, woodcock, and many other Maine wildlife species, know a good thing when they see it and call Moosehead Lake in Maine their home!

Also awestruck by this glorious area, and calling Moosehead Lake in Maine home...

...are its hardy residents, who enjoy celebrating a life that is filled with outdoor adventure and entertainment. And they do it well!

Year-round, locals host some of the most unique activities and events in Maine.

The International Seaplane Fly-In, the Annual Wilderness Sled Dog Race, Snowfest Week, the Moosehead Lake Togue Derby, an Annual Chocolate Festival...

...and Moose Mania - a month long springtime celebration of the areas favorite resident - are all some of the fun events and things to do in Greenville, Maine, and in other areas around Moosehead Lake in Maine.

Moosehead Lake Maine Lodging and Rentals

Since the town of Greenville sits on the south side of Moosehead Lake in Maine, it is often this area where visitors spend a few nights while exploring the region.

But, when looking for Greenville, Maine lodging, don't be surprised when you can't find Greenville, Maine hotels...

...bearing names such as Hampton Garden Inn, Best Western, Comfort Inn, Super 8, or other chain hotel and motels names that you may be accustomed to seeing.

Instead, what you will find is a very wide-ranging selection of country inns, quaint bed and breakfasts, secluded cottages, cabins and lodges...

...and for the adventuresome, Moosehead sporting camps and campgrounds

From cheap and affordable wilderness rustic, to AAA 4-Diamond resorts, you should be able to find the perfect place to stay in Greenville, Maine.

Pamper yourself in luxury at the Blair Hill Inn, which in September 2011 Conde Nast Traveler featured as one of its "Surprising Wild Edens".

Moosehead Lake Maine Morning Mist Built high above stone walls, Blair Hill Inn in Greenville, Maine offers panoramic vistas of Moosehead Lake, dining in an award-winning restaurant, and a host of amenities.

The Lodge at Moosehead Lake, a popular "rustically elegant lodge"...

...is another AAA 4-Diamond property that offers stunning views across the lake.

And guest rooms, with names such as Bear Room, Loon Room, Moose Room, Trout Room and Totem Room...

...assure that you will know you are on vacation at Moosehead Lake in Maine.

At a distance, the Moose Mountain Range can be seen from the historic Victorian style Greenville Inn at Moosehead. Mountain sunsets are said to be spectacular!

The family suites, individual guest rooms, and the cottages and carriage house at this historic Greenville, Maine bed and breakfast make wonderful retreats for romantic getaways to Moosehead Lake, weddings, and other special occasions.

For travelers looking for something a little less expensive, the best places to stay in Greenville, Maine might be...

...the Kineo Lodge, with the "Overlook Suite" that sleeps up to 8 people, a family suite and standard rooms, or...

...Moose Mountain Inn in Greenville, "nestled on the side of Little Moose Mountain Range" and surrounded by over "15,000 acres of protected Maine Public Lands".

Affordable lodging in Greenville, Maine can also be found at...

...the Indian Hill Motel in Greenville, the Evergreen Lodge at Moosehead Lake, Pleasant Street Inn at Moosehead Lake, Chalet Moosehead Lakefront Motel...

...The Cozy Moose Lakeside Family Cabins, "the one place you always want to come back to".

...and at several other lodging accommodations in the Moosehead, Greenville area.

Maine Moose and Calf One-half hour north of Greenville, are places to stay in Rockwood, Maine. Among them...

...the Birches Resort, Rockwood Cottages, Moosehead Motel rentals, and the Historic Pittston Farm Rockwood, Maine.

If you are visiting Moosehead Lake in Maine to be one with nature, Moosehead camping can't be beat!

Moosehead Family Campground, Seboomook Wilderness Campground, Folsom's Campground, the Lily Bay State Park Campsites...

...or Balsam Woods (21 miles from Greenville, but with full-hookups), may be the most rewarding way to spend your wilderness Moosehead vacation.

Moosehead Lake sporting camps, cottages and cabins can also give you a feeling of getting away from at all...

...as will the private vacations house rentals at Moosehead Lake in Maine.

Please note... Although I have primarily discussed lodging in Greenville, Maine and Rockwood, there are other great places to stay in the Moosehead Lake region!

Maine Moosehead Lake Restaurants

Regardless of your reason for a vacation at Moosehead Lake in Maine, there will be restaurant to compliment your activities.

Casual, family style eateries dominate the culinary scene, but several award winning, elegant fine dining restaurants are also on the Moosehead Lake restaurant list.

Moosehead Lake Restaurant Come as you are and sit back and relax at...

The Black Frog, located "on the lake in the heart of the village" in Greenville, offers food, spirits and lodging.

With menu items such as Northwood's Quesadillas, Squirrel Island Fish Sandwich, The Moose is Loose...

...and (oh, my goodness!) Mooseballs - yours for a mere $1,495.00 (25% payable upfront) and a 24-hour noticeyou will certainly know you are at the entrance way to Maine's North Woods.

Comfortable, casual and on the water in Greenville - with a harbor side deck for summertime food and drinks - Kelly's Landing serves a well-rounded menu at breakfast, lunch and dinner, as well as a Sunday Breakfast Buffet that is "popular with townsfolk and visitors alike".

The Rod-n-Reel Cafe across the street from Moosehead Lake in Greenville...

...is home to Ray's Famous Prime Rib, and a menu full of a variety of burgers and sandwiches, Maine seafood dinners, pasta dishes, homemade desserts, Daily Specials, and for anyone visiting Moosehead Lake in Maine who is 55 or older - a Senior's menu.

At Auntie M's Restaurant, breakfast is cooking all day, starting at 5:00 AM! Enjoy a leisurely breakfast, lunch or dinner, in a cozy atmosphere. Home style recipes are prepared for eat-in or take-out, with (from what I hear) generous portions!

For other types of dining, Moosehead Lake bed and breakfast and inn restaurants...

...open to guests and the public, can be a wonderful place to enjoy upscale meals.

In Rockwood, Maine, Pittston Farm offers breakfast, lunch and dinner in its refurbished dining room. Time it right and you can order off the lunch menu, or make yourself a mid-day meal from the soup and salad bar.

Come back to the Pittston Inn for dinner and really enjoy a feast, at their lumberjack style, all you can eat dinner buffet.

The Greenville Inn at Moosehead Lake in Maine is where you will find...

"The closest thing to big city dining in the boondocks", with every table in the dining room enjoying a view of the evening's sunset.

The Blair Hill Inn Restaurant, overlooking Moosehead Lake, pairs Maine's best seafood and farm raised meats, with produce from its own garden, to create superb 5-course presentations.

The restaurant at the Lodge at Moosehead Lake in Maine serves an Ala Carte menu using some of the finest locally produced ingredients, in an atmosphere that offers panoramic views of Moosehead Lake.

And elsewhere throughout what has been described as one of the best places to visit in Maine, you will find other hidden culinary treasures that are sure to please.

If you plan on dining at Moosehead Lake in Maine, be sure to keep in mind...

...that some restaurants are only open seasonally. Also, dinner reservations may be necessary, particularly at Moosehead Lake inns and B&B's.

Contact Me