Moosehead Lake’s Premier Campground
Lily Bay State Park sits on the eastern shore of Moosehead Lake, Maine’s largest lake, about 9 miles north of Greenville. The park’s 93 campsites are split between two distinct areas, Rowell Cove and Dunn Point, both offering direct access to a lake that stretches 40 miles long and covers over 75,000 acres. This is the heart of Maine’s moose country, and the camping matches the setting: wild, spacious, and genuinely remote.
Moosehead Lake is massive enough to feel like an inland sea. From the Lily Bay shoreline, you look west across miles of open water to the forested ridges on the far shore. Weather rolls across the lake in visible fronts. You can watch rain coming from 10 miles away. The lake is deep, cold, and clean, supporting a world-class fishery for landlocked salmon, lake trout, and brook trout. It is also the launching point for some of Maine’s most remarkable day trips: Mount Kineo rises like a cliff from the lake’s center, Gulf Hagas carves a gorge through the 100-Mile Wilderness, and Borestone Mountain provides a hawk-watching summit just south of Greenville.
The park has been a Moosehead region institution for decades. It draws a mix of anglers, paddlers, families, and nature watchers, people who want to be on Maine’s biggest lake without the development and crowds of southern Maine’s resort lakes.
The Campground
The 93 sites are divided between Rowell Cove (about 50 sites) and Dunn Point (about 43 sites). The two areas are about a mile apart along the park road and have different characters. Rowell Cove is more wooded and sheltered, with sites tucked into the forest. Dunn Point is more open, with several sites directly on the lakeshore that offer unobstructed views across Moosehead Lake.
The waterfront sites at Dunn Point are the most coveted. These put you literally at the edge of the lake. You can sit in your camp chair and watch the sunset over Moosehead without moving. These sites book up fast and are worth the early reservation effort. Rowell Cove sites are more shaded and private, better suited to campers who prioritize quiet over views.
Both areas have flush toilets and hot showers. Each site has a picnic table and fire ring. There are no hookups, but a dump station is available. A boat launch at the park provides access to Moosehead Lake, and a small sandy beach at Dunn Point offers swimming.
The Dunn Point waterfront sites (check the campground map for lakefront numbers) are the best camping sites on Moosehead Lake, full stop. Reserve them the moment the booking window opens in February. If those are taken, Rowell Cove sites near the water are a solid second choice with more shelter from wind.
Things to Do
Moose watching is a major draw, and Lily Bay delivers. Moose frequent the boggy areas along the park road and the marshy inlets of Moosehead Lake, particularly at dawn and dusk. Drive the Lily Bay Road slowly at first light and you have an excellent chance of seeing one, or several. The area between Greenville and Lily Bay is one of the most reliable moose-viewing corridors in Maine.
Fishing on Moosehead Lake is outstanding. Landlocked salmon, lake trout (togue), and brook trout are all present. Trolling in the deep water with streamer flies or trolling rigs is the traditional method for salmon and togue. Brook trout fishing is best in the tributaries and smaller ponds in the area. The boat launch at Lily Bay gives you access to the full lake. A Maine fishing license is required.
Mount Kineo is accessible by boat from Lily Bay, paddle or motor across the lake to the peninsula and hike the Indian Trail to the summit (1,789 feet) for one of the most dramatic views in Maine. Gulf Hagas, about an hour’s drive on logging roads, offers a 9-mile loop hike through a slate gorge with waterfalls and cascades. Borestone Mountain, 30 minutes south, has a staffed Audubon nature center and hawk-watching platform.
Moosehead Lake is large enough to generate serious wind and waves. Conditions can change rapidly, especially in the afternoon. Canoe and kayak paddlers should stay close to shore and check weather forecasts before going out. The lake claims boats every year, treat it with the respect it deserves.
When to Go
Spring
Ice-out is typically mid-May. Fishing is excellent immediately after ice-out. The lake is cold and black flies are brutal through mid-June.
Summer
July and August offer the best overall conditions. Warm enough for swimming, peak moose activity, and the best weather for lake exploration.
Fall
September is spectacular, foliage, moose in rut, and fewer campers. The lake is still swimmable into mid-September.
Winter
Campground closes mid-October. Moosehead Lake freezes over and the region becomes a snowmobile destination.
Getting There
From Greenville, take Lily Bay Road north approximately 9 miles to the park entrance. The road follows the eastern shore of Moosehead Lake and is paved the entire way. The drive takes about 15 minutes.
From Bangor, take Route 15 north through Dover-Foxcroft to Greenville. Total drive is about 105 minutes. From Portland, take the Maine Turnpike to I-95 north, then Route 15 from Newport to Greenville. Total drive is approximately three and a half hours.
Stop at the Greenville Junction overlook on your way to Lily Bay for a stunning view of Moosehead Lake and Mount Kineo. In Greenville, stock up at the Indian Hill Trading Post and grab lunch at the Stress Free Moose Pub, a local institution. For moose viewing, drive the Golden Road west from Greenville at dawn.
Lily Bay Camping Packing List
- Tent and sleeping bags (nights are cool at 1,030 feet)
- Camp stove and cookware
- Fishing rod, tackle, and Maine license
- Canoe or kayak for lake and Kineo trips
- Life jacket (Moosehead demands it)
- Binoculars for moose and wildlife
- Bug spray and head net (essential June-July)
- Rain jacket and warm layers
- Camera with zoom lens for moose photography
- Cooler with food (stock up in Greenville)
FAQ
Will I see a moose?
Very likely. The Lily Bay area is one of the most reliable moose-viewing areas in Maine. Drive the park road and Lily Bay Road at dawn and dusk for the best chances. Moose are most active May through September.
Can I get to Mount Kineo from Lily Bay?
Yes. Paddle or motor across the lake to the Kineo peninsula. It is about 5 miles by water from the Lily Bay boat launch. Alternatively, a shuttle service operates from Rockwood village on the west shore.
Are dogs allowed?
Yes. Dogs are allowed in the campground and on park trails on a leash. They are not permitted on the swimming beach.
How cold is Moosehead Lake?
Cold. Surface temperatures reach the low 60s in late July and August. The lake is deep and at elevation. Swimming is brisk but refreshing. Deeper water stays in the 40s year-round.
Is there cell service?
Spotty. You may get a signal at higher points in the park, but coverage is unreliable. Greenville has better service. Plan to be off-grid during your stay.
