Lily Bay State Park
Basic Information
Overview: Lily Bay State Park protects 925 acres on the east shore of Moosehead Lake—Maine’s largest lake—just 9 miles north of Greenville. Two waterfront campgrounds, a long pebbled beach, and boat launches give visitors easy access to wild coves, loon calls, and starlit skies without leaving modern comforts behind.
Key Highlights:
- ✅ 90 campsites split between Rowell Cove (family‑friendly) and Dunn Point (quieter, tent‑centric).
- ✅ Two trailerable boat ramps with slips and fish‑cleaning stations—prime for landlocked salmon, brook trout, and togue.
- ✅ 2‑mile Shoreline Trail hugging Moosehead’s crystal‑clear water for sunrise strolls and moose spotting.
- ✅ Sandy swim beach, playground, and picnic pavilion.
Activities:
- 🚣 Paddling to uninhabited islands or trolling for salmon in the deep main basin.
- 🏊 Swimming and sunbathing on the gentle sloping beach (no lifeguard).
- 🥾 Hiking: Shoreline Trail (2 mi, easy) and the nearby Lily Bay Mountain Trail (6.4 mi round‑trip, 1,400 ft gain).
- ❄️ Winter: snowmobiling corridor access, ice fishing shacks, cross‑country skiing, and snowshoeing.
Amenities:
- Hot showers, flush toilets, potable water, and RV dump station.
- Playground, large group site on Mud Brook peninsula (up to 50 campers), and firewood sales.
- ADA float system, boat slips, and fish‑cleaning table.
- Store in Greenville (15 min) sells last‑minute groceries, propane, and bait.
Trail Snapshot:
- Shoreline Trail – 2 mi loop, easy, lakeside views & wildlife.
- Rowell Cove Nature Loop – 1.2 mi, easy, interpretive signs.
- Lily Bay Mountain Trail – 6.4 mi out‑and‑back, moderate/steep, summit outlook at 3,114 ft.
Best Season: Late June – Labor Day for warm swimming and full services; brilliant foliage mid‑September; quiet, snow‑blanketed solitude December – March.
Insider Tips:
- Reservations open the first Monday of February at 9 a.m.—waterfront sites (#15‑33 Rowell Cove) go within minutes.
- Bring a screen house or head‑net: blackflies peak in early June, mosquitoes in July dusk.
- Watch for moose at dawn along Lily Bay Rd and at the Mud Brook marsh.
- Generators permitted 8 a.m.–8 p.m.; quiet hours 10 p.m.–7 a.m. strictly enforced.
- Pets are welcome on leash everywhere, including trails and shore, but not in buildings.
Nearby Hotspots: Greenville eateries & Moosehead Marine Museum (15 min), Mt Kineo ferry & hike (40 min drive to Rockwood), Big Moose Mountain hiking/skiing (25 min), and the B‑52 Crash Site trail (30 min).
Average Reviews: TripAdvisor visitors rate the park 4.5 / 5 (200+ reviews) praising spotless facilities, spacious lakefront sites, and peaceful woodland setting.