North Maine Woods Lake Camping
Jo-Mary Lake Campground is one of the larger organized campgrounds in the North Maine Woods system, situated on the shore of Upper Jo-Mary Lake in the heart of the 100-Mile Wilderness region. With approximately 70 sites, a boat launch, and access to some of the best lake fishing in northern Maine, it serves as a base camp for anglers, paddlers, and families who want a North Woods experience without backpacking into true backcountry.
Getting here is half the adventure. You enter through a North Maine Woods checkpoint where you pay gate and camping fees, then follow logging roads to the lake. These are working timber roads shared with logging trucks, and they are gravel, dusty, and sometimes potholed. But the payoff at the end of the drive is a large, clean lake surrounded by forest, with campsites that let you sleep a few steps from the water.
The Jo-Mary Lakes (Upper, Middle, and Lower) are connected by thoroughfares and sit within a vast landscape of forest, bogs, and streams that has been logging country for over a century. The combination of working timberland and recreational use is distinctly Maine: you might hear a logging truck on the road and a loon on the lake in the same five minutes.
The Campground
The roughly 70 sites at Jo-Mary Lake are spread along the shoreline, most with direct or near-direct water access. Sites are a mix of open lakefront clearings and wooded spots set back among the trees. Each has a fire ring and a picnic table. Privies (outhouses) are distributed throughout the campground.
This is not a developed campground with bathhouses and hookups. There are no showers, no electricity, and no piped water. You bring everything you need, including drinking water or a filtration system. The boat launch is the key piece of infrastructure, providing access to Upper Jo-Mary Lake for fishing boats, canoes, and kayaks.
Sites are first-come, first-served, and the campground rarely fills to capacity except on prime summer weekends. The lakefront sites with the best views and water access are claimed first, but there are enough sites that arriving on a Friday afternoon usually still yields a good option.
Bring a boat. The campground is pleasant on its own, but Jo-Mary Lake and the connected waterways are what make this place special. A canoe, kayak, or small fishing boat unlocks miles of shoreline, island exploration, and access to fishing spots that shore-bound campers cannot reach.
Things to Do
Fishing is the primary reason most people come to Jo-Mary Lake. The lake holds landlocked salmon, brook trout, lake trout, and smallmouth bass. Spring fishing after ice-out is exceptional, with salmon and trout chasing smelt near the surface. Summer fishing requires going deeper for salmonids but bass fishing remains productive in the shallows and around structure. A Maine fishing license is required.
Paddling on Upper Jo-Mary Lake and through the thoroughfares connecting to Middle and Lower Jo-Mary gives you days of exploration. The lakes are large enough to feel vast but intimate enough that you can circumnavigate a shoreline in a day. Islands in the lakes make excellent lunch stops and offer different perspectives on the surrounding mountains.
The Appalachian Trail crosses through the Jo-Mary area, and day hikes on the AT in either direction from road crossings give you a taste of the 100-Mile Wilderness. The terrain is rolling, with mixed forest, stream crossings, and occasional views from ridgelines.
Moose-watching is excellent. The logging roads and bog edges near the campground are prime moose habitat. Dawn and dusk drives along the roads often produce sightings. The marshy areas at the lake’s inlets are particularly productive.
The roads to Jo-Mary Lake are active logging roads. Logging trucks have the right of way and can appear suddenly around curves. Drive with headlights on, yield to trucks, and keep your speed moderate. The roads are not maintained to highway standards, so watch for potholes, washouts, and soft shoulders. A full-size spare tire is a wise precaution.
When to Go
Spring
Ice-out in mid-May starts fishing season. Roads may be soft from spring thaw. Blackflies appear in late May and peak in June.
Summer
Warmest weather, best swimming, most reliable roads. July and August weekends are busiest. Bring bug protection through mid-July.
Fall
September fishing picks up as water cools. Foliage is excellent. Campground thins out after Labor Day.
Winter
Campground not maintained. Logging roads may be gated or impassable. Snowmobile access only in deep winter.
Getting There
From Millinocket, head south on Route 11 to the Jo-Mary checkpoint (a North Maine Woods gate). Pay the entry and camping fees, then follow the logging road network to Jo-Mary Lake. Signs at intersections point the way, but a detailed map is helpful. The drive from Millinocket to the campground is about 30-40 minutes on gravel roads.
From Bangor, take I-95 north to the Medway exit, then Route 11/157 to Millinocket and continue as above. Total drive is about 90 minutes.
Fish the thoroughfare between Upper and Middle Jo-Mary Lake at dawn. The current flowing between the lakes concentrates baitfish, and the salmon and trout know it. A fly rod with a streamer pattern worked through the current is the classic technique. The thoroughfare is a short paddle from the campground.
Camping Packing List
- Tent with full rain fly
- Sleeping bag rated to 35F
- Camp stove and all cooking supplies
- Cooler with block ice (no ice available at the campground)
- Water filter or 5-gallon jug of water from town
- Fishing gear, tackle, and Maine fishing license
- Canoe, kayak, or small boat with motor
- Bug spray and head net (essential through mid-July)
- Full-size spare tire and basic tools for the logging roads
- Paper map or downloaded offline map (no cell service)
FAQ
What does it cost to camp at Jo-Mary Lake?
North Maine Woods charges a gate fee plus per-person per-night camping fees. Rates are approximately $12/night for Maine residents and $18/night for non-residents. Gate fees are additional.
Are reservations required?
No. Sites are first-come, first-served. The campground rarely fills except on prime summer weekends.
Is there a camp store or anywhere to buy supplies?
No. The nearest stores are in Millinocket, about 30-40 minutes away on logging roads. Bring everything you need.
Can I bring a motorboat?
Yes. The boat launch accommodates small to medium motorboats. Check current regulations for any horsepower restrictions on the Jo-Mary Lakes.
Are there bears?
Yes. Black bears are common in the North Maine Woods. Store food in your vehicle or use a bear canister. Do not leave coolers or food unattended at your site.
