Lily Bay State Park, nine miles north of Greenville, Maine, on the eastern shore of Moosehead Lake, makes a great base for enjoying the lake and surrounding countryside. The park offers basic tent and RV camping (no electric or water hookups) from drive-in and walk-in sites (many on the water) around Dunn Point and Rowell Cove, and maintains two separate launch ramps with floating docks where trailer-boaters can tie up during their stay. Other amenities include a swim beach, playground with volleyball net, and a two-mile shoreline walking trail. There is also a bath-house with hot-water showers, flush toilets, and dishwashing station.
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Many Lily Bay campers bring or rent kayaks and canoes, as the surrounding waters comprise a paddler’s paradise. Several public islands close to the park make ideal rest stops for picnics and swimming, while myriad shallow coves provide excellent protection on windy days. Loons, mergansers, and blue heron abound in this area, and if you’re lucky, you may even spy a moose or bald eagle!
Fishing is also popular, as Moosehead teams with brook trout, lake trout and salmon (although you will usually need to fish deep with downriggers and jigs to target these fish during the warm months). Shallow-water species include smallmouth bass, yellow perch, chub, pickerel and sunfish. Bass fishing can be particularly productive in the Lily Bay area, especially around the edges of submerged ledges and rock piles. In June, these fish can be targeted closer to shore over shallow spawning beds.
If you enjoy hiking, several mountains lie within a short drive of Lily Bay, including Big Spencer, Mountain Number 4, Borestone, Big & Little Moose, and Elephant. You can also take a ferry from the town of Rockwood to scenic Mount Kineo.
RV enthusiasts will find plenty of places to stay on and around Moosehead. Some options include:
Lily Bay State Park (lilybay.org): State-run facility offering bare sites. Firewood and outhouses available. No electric or water.
Moosehead Family Campground (mfcrv.com): Offers 20, 30, and 50 amp sites, with large, private wooded and open sites, all with fire rings and picnic tables. Pull-through sites can accommodate any length RV/trailer.
Seboomook Wilderness Campground (seboomook.com): SWC affords a wilderness experience with tent sites, RV sites, cabins, and Adirondack lean-to shelters. Water and electric on site.
