# Moosehead Lake and Katahdin: Maine’s North Woods

> 4-day road trip of about 288 km (179 mi) with 7 stops, from Bangor to Baxter State Park, Togue Pond. About 3 h 11 min of driving in total.

Source: https://camping-spirit.com/guides/b10-moosehead-katahdin/

**At a glance:** 4-day road trip of about 288 km (179 mi) with 7 stops, from Bangor to Baxter State Park, Togue Pond. About 3 h 11 min of driving in total. Moose country around Maine’s largest lake, a slate canyon and the wild park at the end of the Appalachian Trail.

| | |
|---|---|
| Distance | 288 km (179 mi) |
| Driving | 3 h 11 min |
| Suggested days | 4 |
| Stops | 7 |
| Route | Bangor → Baxter State Park, Togue Pond |
| States | ME |
| Updated | April 28, 2026 |

## Route description

Drive northwest from Bangor on State Road 15 through farm country and small mill towns to Greenville, a small town at the foot of Moosehead Lake with floatplanes and a restored steamboat, the Katahdin, which offers lake cruises in summer.

Continue up the west shore on State Road 6/15 to Rockwood, where a shuttle boat crosses to Mount Kineo and its sheer cliff. Back in Greenville, the road north along the east shore passes Lily Bay State Park; drive at dawn or dusk for the best chance of seeing moose, and watch for them on the road at night.

Gulf Hagas, a slate canyon with a chain of waterfalls, is reached by the gravel KI Jo-Mary logging roads, with a checkpoint and fee. Logging trucks have the right of way and the roads are rough, so leave RVs and low cars behind; if you travel in a big vehicle, return to Bangor and take I-95 to Millinocket instead.

Millinocket is the gateway to Baxter State Park, a wilderness around Katahdin, Maine’s highest mountain. There are no paved roads, no services and a vehicle limit; day-use parking for summit hikes must be reserved. Late June to early October is the season; blackflies are fierce in late May and June.

## Stop-by-stop itinerary

1. **Bangor** (ME)
2. **Greenville** (ME)
3. **Mount Kineo** (Rockwood, ME): A sheer rhyolite cliff rising from Moosehead Lake. A shuttle boat from Rockwood crosses in minutes to trails to the summit fire tower.
4. **Lily Bay State Park** (Greenville, ME): Campsites along the shore of Moosehead Lake, a good base for dawn and dusk moose watching along the roads north of Greenville.
5. **Gulf Hagas** (Greenville, ME): A slate canyon with a chain of waterfalls, often called the Grand Canyon of Maine, reached by gravel logging roads through a gate with a fee.
6. **Millinocket** (ME)
7. **Baxter State Park, Togue Pond** (Millinocket, ME): The southern gate of the wilderness park around Katahdin, the end of the Appalachian Trail. Day-use parking for the summit hikes must be reserved.

## FAQs

**How long is Moosehead Lake and Katahdin: Maine’s North Woods?**
4-day road trip of about 288 km (179 mi) with 7 stops, from Bangor to Baxter State Park, Togue Pond. About 3 h 11 min of driving in total.

**How many days do you need for Moosehead Lake and Katahdin: Maine’s North Woods?**
We suggest 4 days: about 3 h 11 min of driving, which leaves time for the stops.

**Where does Moosehead Lake and Katahdin: Maine’s North Woods start and end?**
It starts in Bangor and ends in Baxter State Park, Togue Pond.

**Which states does Moosehead Lake and Katahdin: Maine’s North Woods pass through?**
Maine.