If you’re looking for supreme relaxation and endless outdoor adventure, then Moosehead Lake is the destination for you! Maine’s largest lake, located in the Maine Highlands region, offers fishing, hiking, boating, wildlife, and more.

Moosehead Lake really does kind of resemble the head of a moose, antlers and all, when viewed from above. The lake is around 40 miles long, 22 miles wide, and covers nearly 75,000 acres. This makes it not only the largest lake in Maine but also the largest lake east of the Mississippi, in one state.

Moosehead is a natural lake, not a reservoir, and is home to over 80 islands, some of which are quite large. Sugar Island, for example, is roughly four miles (6.4 km) long and two miles (3.2 km) wide with 4,208 acres.

The lake has been a tourist destination of sorts since prehistory. Native Americans trekked here for big game and the flint found at Mt. Kineo, which they used for weapons and tools. Ancient tools made from Mt. Kineo flint have been found across the eastern United States and Canada.

Today, visitors come to fish, boat, hike, and soak up one of the world’s most beautiful wild places. An outdoor enthusiast will find more than enough to keep them busy in the Moosehead Lake region for at least a week.

What is there to do? What isn’t there to do!

Things To Do at Moosehead Lake

Touring
The lake has a variety of tours to choose from. Two of the most popular are from above on a Float Plane Tours or on the lake, aboard the historic Steamship Katahdin.

Boating
Numerous local outfitters offer boat rentals. Options include SUP, kayak, canoe, jet-skis, powerboats, and more. You can even shoot the rapids on a whitewater rafting adventure on a nearby river.

Fishing
Moosehead Lake is great for fishing with plentiful salmon, brook, and lake trout. Fish on your own or hire a guide for some priceless local insight and expertise.

In winter, the lake ice can reach up to 3-4′ thick, perfect for ice fishing. For fly-fishing, check out the Roach River.

Hiking
Moosehead Lake is prime Maine hiking country. In fact, nearby Mount Katahdin, highest peak in Maine, is an Appalachian Trail terminus. There are hiking trails for all levels, though many of the popular hikes are rated moderate to challenging.

One popular, short and easy hike on Elephant Mountain leads to the 1963 crash site and memorial for a B-52 bomber. Those looking for a real challenge, on the the hand, should consider the Moosehead Pinnacle Pursuit; summiting six mountains in the Greenville area.

Wildlife
Moosehead Lake is surrounded by a vast, forested wilderness, home to all manner of wildlife. This makes it the perfect destination for birders, nature photographers, and animal lovers of all kinds.

Of course, the big question is, are there moose at Moosehead Lake? You bet there are! The lake offers some of the finest moose watching country around. Sign up for a Moose Watching Tour or head out on a Self-Guided Moose Tour of your own. We’ll be more than happy to provide a few tips about where and when to look for these magnificent creatures.

… and More – Much More!

There is so much to do in the Moosehead Lake region that it’s all just too much for one blog post. We didn’t even get to: the golfing on Mt. Kineo; attractions in towns around the lake like Greenville, Monson, or Rockwood; our numerous annual festivals; or winter activities like skiing, ice-climbing, and snowmobiling, and embracing hygge as you snuggle by the fire. 

The Lodge at Moosehead Lake is located on the south eastern tip of the lake, just a few miles north of Greenville, ME. One thing we love to do is share the area with our guests. To that end we have put together a number of Moosehead Lake packages and adventures for your convenience. Choose from private Moose Safaris, Fly Fishing Excursions, Seaplane Fly-ins, Moonlight Canoe Trips, and many other exclusive offers.

Moosehead Lake is the perfect backdrop for an intimate elopement. Check out our blog with all the details!

Our Moosehead Lake inn has been a AAA 4-Diamond property since 1994. Our convenient location puts the best of the lake within easy reach – and in breathtaking view from the lodge. Book your stay today and let us share one of the country’s most gorgeous spots with you!