Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
and southern shores are public with broad sandy and gravel beaches.
Swimming and camping is allowed. The best beaches at the southern end
tend to get quite worn by summer's end. There are great mountain views,
opportunities to paddle to trailheads for nearby Black Mountain, and
Loons to serenade you to sleep at night.
Long Pond, Mount Desert Island
Most people who paddle Long Pond, Mount Desert Island's largest lake,
put in at the small town beach at the north end. Forget that. For an un-
crowded paddle take the Long Pond Fire Road off Route 102 and park
several miles in where the edge of the road skirts the lake. This is the
lake's western cove. It is generally sheltered from the high winds that can
plague the main body of the lake. Paddle straight across the cove to the
east to Southern Neck. There are great wide ledges here for picnicking
and swimming in the lake's clear, cool waters. No camping or fires.
Machias River, Route 9 to Northfield
Especially in spring and early summer when its headwater lakes are still
discharging a good flow, the Machias River is a major stream.
A good trip begins at the state-run camping area just east of the Route 9
bridge. There are many flat water sections, but major Class II and above
rapids are encountered at Little Falls, the Wigwams and Upper Holmes
Falls (which must be portaged). Hidden in trees on an island just below
Holmes Falls is a grave marker erected to memorialize Obadiah Hill a pi-
oneer who drowned in the river in 1786. There is mostly flat water below
Lower Holmes Falls which leads you to the best takeout at Smith's Land-
ing. A scenic 23-mile trip. Paddlers can elect to continue but must portage
a major waterfall.
Narraguagus River, Deblois to Cherryfield
The “Guagus,” as it is affectionately known locally, is a fun river that
tests your paddling skills with its twists, turns, blowdowns, and occa-
sional rapids. You can begin at the Route 193 bridge by carrying your
boats down the portage path on the right for .25 miles. There is a short
run, another short carry, and then only a few rips among nine miles of
fast-moving flat water.
Major hazards are strainers, trees which
have fallen into the stream. They collect de-
bris, and their share of passing canoeists and
gear. Little Falls is a broad, sweeping Class
II rapid that should be scouted. There is also
an impressive ledge drop about a mile down-
stream.
