Unearth The Voyage
Tucked away in the wilderness of northern Maine lies Moosehead Lake, the state’s largest body of water and one of its best-kept secrets. While tourists flock to coastal destinations, locals quietly enjoy this sprawling paradise filled with islands, mountain peaks, and wildlife. This guide reveals seven insider tips that will help you experience Moosehead Lake like someone who’s lived there for years, discovering hidden spots and adventures most visitors never find.
1. Paddle the Hidden Coves & Islands
Most visitors stay near the main lakefront, but Moosehead Lake hosts over 80 islands, coves, inlets, and shorelines waiting to be discovered. Launch a kayak or canoe from Rockwood or Greenville and explore quiet arms of the lake that see almost no boat traffic.
Seek out little-visited islands like Sugar Island or remote rock islets for picnics, swimming, or just solitude. In calm evenings, drift into a secluded bay, dock briefly, and listen to the silence.
That’s what locals treasure most about this sprawling lake—the ability to find your own private corner of wilderness.
2. Hike the Moosehead Pinnacle Pursuit
Want a challenge? The Moosehead Pinnacle Pursuit (MPP) is a route through six peaks surrounding the lake. Peaks include Borestone Mountain, Big Moose, Little Moose, Number Four, Mount Kineo, and others.
One of the more scenic summits is Big Moose Mountain, with decent trails and panoramic views. On Mount Kineo, hikers can climb to an observation tower for sweeping views of the lake.
If you’re fit, you can tick off several in a multi-day loop. If not, pick one or two and treat the rest as optional bonus climbs for future visits.
3. Shuttle Across to the Golf Course & Historic Peninsula
One of the quirkiest hidden experiences is the Mount Kineo Golf Course, a nine-hole, par-36 course reached only by boat shuttle from Rockwood. The shuttle is seasonal, running from late spring through early fall.
The golf course is perched on a peninsula beneath the looming ridge of Kineo, with forested edges and lake views. Around the peninsula, explore Kineo Cottage Row Historic District, with early 1900s summer cottages built during the resort era.
Don’t miss The Breakwater, built in 1909, a graceful relic of Maine’s resort past. This blend of recreation and heritage makes Kineo feel like stepping back in time.
4. Seek Out Waterfalls & Gorges Off the Beaten Path
While tourism draws folks to Acadia’s easy-access features, Moosehead hides more secret cascades. The dramatic Gulf Hagas, nicknamed the Grand Canyon of the East, lies east of Moosehead Lake and is a gorge-walk favorite, with high cliffs, waterfalls, and scenic rapids.
Closer in, small unnamed brooks and tributaries spill over mossy ledges in the woods. These aren’t always on maps, but locals know where to slip downstream from logging roads.
In winter and spring, meltwater roaring through side valleys can reveal hidden falls few see. Check with local outfitters for directions.
5. Moose Safaris & Wildlife at Dawn
The region’s name is no accident—Moosehead Lake is one of the best places in Maine to spot elusive moose. Book a moose-watching tour or canoe safari with local guides who know where they tend to feed at dawn and dusk.
Alternatively, drive quiet side roads or forest logging roads before sunrise and park near wetlands. Quiet observation can yield encounters with not just moose, but deer, foxes, and beavers.
Birding is also superb here—watch for bald eagles, loons, herons, and warblers along hidden coves and wooded shorelines throughout the day.
6. Fly Over It All — Seaplane and Air Tours
If you want to grasp Moosehead’s full scale, take to the skies. Currier’s Flying Service offers seaplane tours over Moosehead and nearby wilderness, with views over the Spencer Mountains, Kineo, and remote lakes.
The views are dramatic: ridgelines, forested backcountry, and hidden inlets that look like veins through the earth. Some tours even include landing on remote ponds for a wilderness lunch or short hike.
Flying over this vast landscape gives you perspective that’s impossible to gain from the ground, revealing just how wild and untouched this region truly remains.
7. Venture Beyond the Main Lake — Neighboring Ponds & Remote Lakes
Moosehead is the anchor, but its region is dotted with dozens of smaller lakes, ponds, and reservoirs, many off-grid and lightly used. Explore First Roach Pond, Prong Pond, and dozens of others for quiet paddling, fishing, or camping.
If you carry a topo map or use local paddling guides, you can string together multi-lake itineraries through portages and hidden channels. These remote waters often have fewer fishers, fewer boats, and more quiet.
They’re ideal for anglers, solo paddlers, or anyone seeking a quiet wilderness escape away from even Moosehead’s modest crowds.
