Greenville ME is the largest town on the vast Moosehead Lake, which isn’t saying much, as it’s a tiny place with incredible scenery and history. And, of course, moose. The lake is a utopia for fishermen/women, and has been drawing tourists since a certain Massachusetts author penned “The Maine Woods” in 1853.
Visit in September or October, and you’ll be rewarded with some of the most stunning foliage in New England. In winter and summer, logging roads vibrate with noise from ATVs and Snowmobiles.
Hunting and fishing are huge here, too. Come anytime, and you’ll be blown away by the caliber of lodging and dining as well. If you just want to sip a glass of wine on a porch overlooking the water and de-stress come sundown, this is one of the best places on earth to do that.
These days, when it’s getting more and more difficult to find true wilderness, Greenville on Moosehead Lake in Maine is a revelation.
Where Is Moosehead Lake?
Moosehead Lake is situated in the northwestern part of the state of Maine, USA. It is nestled within the vast wilderness of the Maine Highlands region, near the town of Greenville ME. This pristine and expansive freshwater lake is the largest in the state, spanning approximately 120 square miles (310 square kilometers). Surrounded by lush forests, rolling hills, and the stunning landscapes of the North Woods, Moosehead Lake offers visitors a serene and picturesque retreat in the heart of Maine’s natural beauty.
Things To Do In Moosehead Lake ME
TOUR: 3-Hour Narrated Cruise on the Katahdin
Named after the mountain seen in the distance (the beginning or end of the Appalachian Trail depending on which direction you hike), this 115 ft. diesel-powered workhorse of a ship once hauled thousands of cords of pulpwood across Moosehead Lake to the head of the Kennebec River.
Now, it hauls tourists on a wonderful narrated tour of this forty-mile-long, 18-mile-wide body of water in mid-northern Maine – the largest single freshwater lake within the state’s boundaries east of the Mississippi.
Built at Bath Iron Works in 1913, the Katahdin operated as a log boat till the mid-1970s. The heated cabin features pictures of the ship’s past, which you can inspect when escaping the chill.
But you’ll want to stay outside when the weather is warm, to see ubiquitous float planes and possibly catch sight of bears, falcons, loons, ospreys, blue and green Heron, lynx, and coyotes that make their home here.
Before or after the cruise, be sure to stop into the Moosehead Marine Museum for further history – and some incredible photos – re: Moosehead Lake.
TOUR: Moose Safari with Northwoods Outfitters
According to Northwoods Guide, Steve Sullivan (who also guides Waterfall Hikes, Snowmobile Trips, Canoe/Kayak Trips and Fishing), “Pond weed is like chocolate to a moose.”
To see these bashful, ungainly creatures, you’ve got to head out at dusk (5:30 AM), when moose are most likely to be eating in a woodsy cove or slow-moving stream.
Though the route is up to the discretion of the guide, this guided Moose Tour will take you on the dirt logging roads that crisscross the Moosehead Lake region. It’s a lovely way to see the area even if you don’t spot one creature. But chances are you will. There are an estimated 60,000 of these “half-ton ghosts” in Maine (a moose population second only to Alaska). So keep your camera ready.
GO: Lily Bay State Park
Lily Bay State Park, a true gem nestled on the shores of Moosehead Lake, is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers. This picturesque park boasts a pristine beach, excellent for swimming and picnicking, as well as a network of hiking trails that wind through lush forests and offer breathtaking lake vistas.
Kayaking and canoeing are popular activities on crystal-clear waters, and the park provides campsites and facilities for a memorable overnight experience.
FLY: Float Plane Tour
They are billed as “Seaplanes” but there’s no sea in sight. Regardless, there’s no better way to get an overview of Moosehead Lake than from one of these flying hybrids, and you can get up in the air for as little as $50pp.
Several companies around the lake offer aerial tours, so pick one and fly high. (And see why this lake is called “Moosehead.”). Both Jack’s Air Service and Currier’s Flying Service have been around awhile.
VISIT: Museums of Moosehead Historical Society
Historical society museums can be cluttered, dreary, disheveled things. Many are run by volunteers who must make due with the resources they have. But not here at the Center For Moosehead History, which has a full-time paid staff member (thanks to a generous endowment), Candy Russell, who happens to be a wiz at documenting, curating, and developing themed exhibits throughout four buildings.
With a focus on local history – sporting lodges, tourist steamships, and lumber, a docent-led tour is a fascinating way to delve into what many would consider true wilderness but was and is a thriving community.
Eveleth Crafts Sheridan House
In the mid 1800’s, a railroad spur connected the well-to-do from Bangor, Boston, and New York City to the exclusive Kineo Club and Greenville. Hotels dominated the landscape, and steamships carted both tourists and logs from one end of Moosehead Lake to the other.
A tour brings you first to the Carriage House – which serves as a museum of logging and boating, housing a one-room schoolhouse and medical implements from the office of country doc Pritham who was known to perform surgery on kitchen tables.
You’ll also wander through the wonderfully furnished rooms of the 1893 Eveleth Crafts Sheridan House – a repository of cool Victorian-age appliances, including a grand Princess Novelty Cook Stove, and warming shelves that fit over the radiator. The stash of period clothing and artifacts in the attic, impressively and meticulously cataloged in boxes and clothing racks, seem ready for an HBO TV period drama.
Moosehead Aviation Museum
In town, the Moosehead Aviation Museum, housed in the former Universalist Church, displays the book that boosted tourism here in 1853, Henry David Thoreau’s “The Maine Woods.”
For lovers of odd trivia, there’s information about Moosehead Lake resident Chief Henry Red Eagle, born Henry Perley in 1885, who as a young man performed in Buffalo Bill Cody’s Wild West Show.
There are plenty of photos of bush and seaplane pilots, as this was the primary way that fishermen and other sportsmen and women got up to these wilds. Every year, over 20,000 people from all over the world show up for “Fly In” the weekend after Labor Day, which celebrates this form of transportation.
Perhaps the most stirring artifact here, though, is the B-52 ejection seat from a crash in 1963. It was found “a significant distance” from the crash site, in 2011.
HIKE: B-52 Crash Site on Elephant Mountain
In 1963, a B-52 crashed while on a training mission from Westover MA. Two of the 9 aboard survived – but they had to spend one night in extreme winter temperatures on the mountain. Much of the debris has been preserved, and you can see it and pay your respects on a short 400-yard hike to the wreckage and memorial.
GOLF: Mount Kineo Golf Club
You have to take a ferry from Rockland (about 10 miles from Greenville) to get to the course, situated beneath the magnificent Kineo Cliffs. Between the cliff and the lake, this is arguably one of the most dramatically located golf courses in New England.
Restaurants in Moosehead Lake
EAT: Greenville Inn
The menu is quite inventive for this neck of the woods, with the chef working wonders with locally sourced produce and meats. The House Made Sausage with White Beans and Butternut/Lobster Bisque are excellent. I’d return for Terry’s popular recipe – Amish Crusted Chicken Dijon, which I polished off in one sitting.
EAT/LUNCH: Kelly’s Landing.
Seas planes land and then pull up to the deck of this casual eatery. The food is good, views are great. The place can get crowded on a sunny afternoon, so be prepared to wait.
Where to Stay In Moosehead Lake
STAY: Greenville Inn
You’ll find astounding woodwork and museum-quality stained glass in this former lumber baron’s home – now the 17-room Greenville Inn. But it’s the warm welcome and hospitality of the owners, Jeff and Terry, that keep guests coming back.
Upscale casual, with some rooms overlooking the lake, town, and the S.S. Katahdin at the dock, Greenville Inn is a lovely haven just a few steps from gift shops on Main St.
Rooms are Victorian chic, with real antiques and comfy bedding. But it’s the common rooms that impress. Deeply stained carved wood, Venetian glass lamps and sconces, and other architectural details have been preserved.
The porch, enlivened by flower baskets and wicker furniture, overlooks the lake. You’ll want to grab a glass of wine or coffee and just sit outside to watch the sunrise or sunset – it’s that stunning.
Though many attractions close in October in Maine, the Greenville Inn is a four-season establishment. In winter, says Terry, “snowmobilers come in droves.” Most bring their own and go out on trails that start right outside the door.
Breakfast in the morning is a hot buffet. But Jeff is happy to whip up a custom meal for anyone with dietary restrictions.
STAY: Both The Lodge at Moosehead Lake and Blair Hill Inn have also won rave reviews from visitors.
