11 Fun Adventures In North Maine Woods

This article may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see the affiliate disclaimer here. 

Loki and I decided to check out interior Maine and the North Maine Woods for 5 beautiful October days in 2019.  Thor joined us. Honestly, it was mostly because after a cursory search I didn’t find much information about the area except that it’s incredibly pretty in the fall. I have to admit it’s not really like anywhere else I’ve ever been, in a very cool way. It’s a place that feels wild, a place where log trucks and moose reign supreme. Why should you visit North Maine Woods?

If You Are Heading To Maine:

The Best Lobster Rolls In Maine

One Day In Portland, Maine

11 Fun Things To Do In Bar Harbor, Maine

11 Amazing Things To Do In Camden, Maine

Best Sunrise Spots At Acadia National Park

5 Can’t Miss Dog Friendly Hikes At Acadia National Park

The Basics:

Where Is North Maine Woods?:

The North Maine Woods is the northern area of the state of Maine. The thinly populated region is overseen by a combination of private individual and private industrial owners and state government agencies, and is divided into 155 unincorporated townships within the NMW management area.

How Do I Get To North Maine Woods?:

Roadtripping is the best way to get to North Maine Woods. It’s a very remote region. The closest airport is Bangor International Airport. Drive time from Bangor to North Maine Woods is about 2 hour.

You WILL need a rental car.

Why Should I Visit North Maine Woods?:

This area is perfect for any outdoor enthusiast. It provides tons of outdoor recreational opportunities for over 100,000 yearly visitors while also providing renewable forest resources which are a major part of Maine’s economy. Harvesting wood products and providing recreation are compatible if managed properly. 

Where Should I Stay?:

AirBNB:

I stayed at this cozy little AirBNB cabin in Rockwood, Maine on Brassua Lake. It was perfect and I would book it again in a heartbeat. It’s close to North Maine Woods but “close” is a relative term when you are talking about ground to cover in this region of Maine. It still took about an hour and a half for me to get to the Twenty Mile Checkpoint from the cabin.

Cabins:

Chandler Lake Camps & Lodge

• Where: Craigville Rd, Masardis, ME 04732
• Call: 207-751-8938
• Or Book Here

Allagash Gateway Campground & Cabins

• Where: Mile marker 32.5 Golden Rd, Millinocket, ME
• Call: 207-732-9215
• Or Book Here

Camping:

Reservations are not accepted in North Maine Woods. Inquire at the checkpoint where you enter about the campsites available. Find out more HERE.

Three Things In One Place

The North Maine Woods is unique in that it really is three things in one beautiful place: 

1. North Maine Woods Remains Wild –

It is a region of over 3.5 million acres of abundant commercial forest land. Included within its boundaries are two of the most famous wild rivers of the Northeast – St. John and the Allagash. The North Maine Woods completely surrounds the Allagash Wilderness Waterway.

2. Plans For A Bright Future –

It is an organization of landowners both big and small, corporations, individuals, and families that have joined with Maine’s natural resource agencies in a partnership to solve problems and plan for a bright future.

3. It Is A Spirit –

According to the North Maine Woods website, “Past and present; people and nature meet here. Men and women who make their living from the woods and those who relax here love this area. And through North Maine Woods, they work together to see that while they take forest products, fish, wildlife, and pleasure from this great region, they take nothing that will make it any less in the future than it is today.”

I couldn’t agree with this statement more. This place just FEELS different. 

A Little History:

Interestingly, in 1783, Maine and Massachusetts were one state, and the area that is now Northern Maine was divided into six-mile square townships and sold at auction. By the time Maine became an official state in 1820, over 10 million acres had been sold or granted. And the rest of the land was sold by 1878. 

In most cases, the land was jointly bought by two or three “heirs” but beginning around the turn of the century, some of the family owners started selling their holdings to industrial landowners. The amount of industrial ownership increased during the 20th century and much like then it is now a combination of private individual, private industrial and public interests’ ownership. 

Since the North Maine Woods are so different here are a few tips to help plan your trip.

Know Before You Go: North Maine Woods Edition

• All of the roads in this region are private and fees are charged. North Maine Woods charges a day use fee –
  • $11 per person for residents
  • $16 per person per day for non-residents.
  • There is no charge for anyone under 18 or over 70 for day use (ID must be provided). 

• Disabled veterans with a 50% disability as a result of serving in a combat zone receive complimentary day-use passes to North Maine Woods. These are the same guidelines used by the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife when issuing complimentary hunting and fishing licenses. Camping fees are still required.

• There are nearly 350 campsite locations on the private lands within the North Maine Woods region. These are very primitive campsites but some feature outhouses. They are gorgeous and have more of a backwoods feel than a campground feels.
• A camping fee of $12 per person, per night, for residents, and $15 per person, per night, for non-residents. North Maine Woods camping fees also require payment of 9% Maine Sales Tax. 

Even More To Know Before You Go:

• No bicycles, motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) or horses are allowed at any time of year in the North Maine Woods area. This is necessary for logging road safety and to reduce the possibility of forest fires in hard to reach locations.

• The roads within North Maine Woods are privately built to manage the woodland area. Through traffic from Canada into Maine or Maine into Canada is not permitted via the road system. Recreationists can travel to their desired destinations within the area and then return to the country from which they entered. Parties entering at one of the Canadian Border checkpoints must leave via the same checkpoint.

• Hiking is not big here. The opportunity for hiking and backpacking is limited in the North Maine Woods area due to the absence of developed hiking trails. There are trails to some of the Maine Forest Service’s fire towers and some abandoned roads are suitable for hiking, but there is no list available. Checkpoint receptionists or local forest rangers and game wardens may be able to direct you to suitable hiking areas.

• There are 15 checkpoints. You will need to enter and exit through these checkpoints. When entering you need to log in and when exiting you need to log out. I chose the Twenty Mile checkpoint. 

THE NUMBER 1 RULE OF NORTH MAINE WOODS:

Trucks have the right of way. You need to drive slowly and pay attention because these log trucks DO NOT mess around. If you see one, pull over immediately, and let them pass.

• Keep your headlights on at all times no matter the weather or time of day. 

The biggest draw to North Maine Woods is the hunting and fishing, but if you are not an outdoorsman there is plenty more to this area then meets the eye…

11 Fun Things To Do In North Maine Woods

1. Check Out Some Of The Cute Little Towns

The closest town to North Maine Woods with supplies is Greenville, Maine. It’s a very cute, small town that offers several dining options, as well as, a trading post. There are so many charming small towns in interior Maine, check out Caribou, Presque Isle, and Washburn too.

I only had a chance to try Jamo’s Pizza but it was really good and it’s carry out. 

2. Visit Moosehead Lake

This is Maine’s largest lake, Moosehead Lake, and it’s one of the biggest draws to Northern Maine. There is so much to do at Moosehead Lake and it’s a nature lovers paradise itself! Here are just a few of the options:

• ATVing
• Boating
• Canoeing/Kayaking
• Fishing & Ice Fishing
• Hiking
• Moose Sighting/Safari’s
• Scenic Flights

Find Out More Here

3. Check Out Lily Bay State Park

Lily Bay State Park is also located in Greenville, ME. Located along the east shore of beautiful Moosehead Lake just 9 miles north of Greenville, the 925-acre park offers year-round activities and camping. Here are some of the top things to do at Lily Bay –

• Swim at the beach
• The 2-mile walking path next to the lake
• ATVing
• Hiking
• Biking
• Camping
• Find out more HERE

4. Go On A Moose Safari

These are offered on water (canoe or kayak) or land and generally run April – December weather permitting. The guided land tour is an interpretive nature tour consists of great scenery, Moose and wildlife watching, infused with local history and lore. 

While the water tour gives you the experience of slicing effortless through waters on a remote pond. Bonus: it’s nearby the majestic and historic mountains that form the Appalachian Trail. On your trip you may see trout jumping, loons and ducks, Beaver, Otter, Whitetail deer, Snowshoe Hare, Bobcat, Black Bear and of course, the king of them all, the Maine Moose.

Check out –

Northwoods Outfitters

• Where: 5 Lily Bay Rd, Greenville, ME 04441
• Call: 207-695-3288
• Hours: Daily 8 am – 5 pm
• Find Out More Here

5. Fish The Allagash or St. Johns River

One of the main draws to this region is hunting and fishing, why not give fishing on the Allagash/St. John’s a try? The Allagash River is a 65 mile long river located in northern Maine. It’s a tributary of the St. John River. It is a portion of the huge Allagash Wilderness Waterway. It’s also a National Wild and Scenic River.

The Allagash River is one of Maine’s best native brook trout streams. Fly fishing the Allagash River is a true wilderness experience. There are not any towns or services of any along the course of the river.

If you want to fish with a guide check out –

Allagash Guide Inc

• Where: 292 River Road Norridgewock, Maine 04957 
• Call: (207) 634-3748
• Find Out More Here

6. Visit Mount Kineo State Park

Mount Kineo is the mountains you see dominating over Moose Head Lake in Greenville, ME. At elevation 1,789 feet, Mount Kineo dominates Moosehead Lake with a dramatic cliff face rising 700 feet above the lake surface. This provides a habitat for rare plants and peregrine falcons.

The only way to reach the park is by boat from the public access site in Rockwood, where commercial shuttle service is available during the summer months. 

Did you know that this location was well known to the Native Americans? They traveled great distances to Kineo for the hard rock with flint-like qualities that were used for tools and arrowheads.

7. Kayak Or Canoeing The Allagash & St. John Rivers

These rivers are wild and gorgeous and kayaking or canoeing are the best way to experience them. Check out –

Allagash Guide Services

• Where: 928 Allagash Rd Allagash, ME 04774
• Call: (207) 398-3418
• They Offer: several options for the canoe trips, find out more Here

For the real adventures check out –

Canoe The Wild

• Where: 588 US Route 1, Weston, ME
• Call: 207-551-8729
• They Offer: Guided Canoe Trips On The Allagash:5-8 days, May-September, for individuals, families & groups, Enjoy scenic campsites & meals cooked over an open fire. The best trip for spotting moose! No previous experience necessary.
• Find Out More Here

8. Rent ATV’s From Northwoods Outfitters

You can rent bikes or ATV’s at Northwoods Outfitters – have some FUN by renting an ATV or UTV! The Moosehead Lake Region has the perfect terrain for a memorable backcountry experience. The vast trail system leads you through dense forest with wildlife or head to the higher elevations for vast views of the region. You can book a guide to go it alone.

Northwoods Outfitters

• Where: 5 Lily Bay Rd, Greenville, ME 04441
• Call: 207-695-3288
• Hours: Daily 8 am – 5 pm
• Find Out More Here

Rental Fees:

• Polaris RZR SxS 570 
  half day $270
  full day 385
• 4-person Ranger 570
  half day $320
  full day $440 

Or book a guide for your tour (up to 6 people)

• 1-2 People – Full Day $290, ½ Day $220 
• 3-4 People – Full Day $80pp, ½ Day $60pp 
• 5+ People – Full Day $60pp, ½ Day $50pp

It is advised that renters wear long pants, long sleeves, and durable footwear.

9. Got White Water Rafting

You may not think of white water rafting when you think of North Maine Woods but Maine is home to the best whitewater rafting in the Northeast. With three dam-controlled rivers offering daily rafting trips on class III-V whitewater from May through October. There are several outfitters choose from for your rafting excursion. Check out –

Northern Outdoors

• Where: 1771 US Route 201, The Forks, ME
• Call: (800) 765-7238
• Find Out More And Book Here

10. Take A Scenic Flight

This is a stunning region in Maine that is remote and wild. There is no better way to see it then by a scenic flight.

Check Out – –

Katahdin Air

• Where: Millinocket, Maine 04462
• Call: 207-723-8378 or 1-866-359-6246
• Find Out More Here

Katahdin Air Service is located on Ambejejus Lake and offers daily scenic plane rides of the Katahdin Area. They offer short 30-minute scenic flights, one-hour scenic flights as well as 3-hour flights that take you to a remote sporting camp for dinner and then a sunset flight back to our seaplane base. Sounds amazing, right?

11. Check Out Baxter State Park

Although it’s about 1.5 hours from North Maine Woods, Baxter State Park is worth the trip. While it is technically part of the North Maine Woods region, the area is vast! Baxter State Park is a large wilderness area permanently preserved as a state park in north-central Maine. It borders the Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument on the east.

• You can hike on some of the 215 miles of trails. Find out more HERE
• Camp under the stars at one of the 337 campsites. Find out more HERE
• Or explore some of the 200k acres of wilderness that Baxter has to offer.

Sips & Eats: North Maine Woods

Stress Free Moose Pub

• Where: 65 Pritham Ave, Greenville, ME 04441
• Hours: Mon-Thurs: 11 am – 10 pm, Fri-Sat: 11 am – 11 pm, Sun: 9 am – 9 pm
• Find Out More Here

Flanders Pub

• Where: 36 Pritham Ave, Greenville, ME 04442
• Hours: Open Mon-Tues
• Find Out More Here

Jamos Pizza – Jamieson’s Store

• Where: Pritham Ave, Greenville, ME 04441
• Hours: 6 am – 9 pm
• Find Out More Here

Is North Maine Woods For You?:

• If you are want to escape to nature – yes! 

• Wanting to fish in the summer or hunt in the fall/winter – yes! 

• Want to spot a moose – yes! (for the most part, of course, I didn’t see any)

• Looking for some peace, quiet and solitude – yes! 

North Maine Woods Is NOT For You If:

• If you want a ton of options that don’t require you to be in nature – no! 

• If you are looking for nightlife or shopping – no! 

• Love the buzz of a city or being around a ton of people – no! 

But my guess is that if you are looking into visiting the North Maine Woods you probably already know that it is a nature lovers paradise. Just watch out for those logging trucks and get out of their way! And don’t forget to keep an eye out for moose!

Like This Post? Pin It For Later!