Things to Do With Kids on Moosehead Lake, Maine

Kids will love looking for moose.

Moosehead Lake is the largest mountain lake in Maine, stretching 40 miles long and 20 miles wide, according to Visitmaine.com. Visitors come from all over to enjoy the scenic outdoor adventures in the area. Hiking, fishing, swimming, boating, sight-seeing, wildlife viewing and camping are just a few of the possible activities to do with the kids.

State Parks and Resorts

Lily Bay State Park (no website; Lily Bay Road; 207-624-9950) rests on the eastern shore of Moosehead Lake. The park is open during the winter and summer for numerous activities perfect for kids. During the summer, overnight camping is an option along with exploring the many hiking trails, fishing out on the lake, swimming and using the playground. Winter activities include snow-shoeing, cross country skiing and snowmobiling. Leisure Life Family Resort (leisureliferesort.com) is in the city of Greenville which is right on Moosehead Lake. It caters to families, featuring a trout pond with paddle boats and a swimming pool.

Museums

Take the kids to the Moosehead Historical Society and Museum (mooseheadhistory.org) for an interesting lesson in the local history. Housed in a Victorian mansion built in the 1890s, it displays artifacts and neatly manicured gardens aimed to preserve the history of the region. The Katahdin Cruises and Moosehead Marine Museum (katahdincruises.com) operates the steam cruise Katahdin as a living museum. You can get on board and cruise around the lake on the historical vessel and see the shoreside gallery of steamboat memorabilia detailing the history of steamboats dating back to 1836.

Moose Safaris

One of the more popular activities to do in the region is to go on moose watching tours. Several companies will take you and the kids out on safaris with the sole purpose to see a moose in its natural habitat. Maine Moose Watching Tours (mainemoosewatching.com) provides evening and morning tours by foot, van or canoe. Outfitters (maineoutfitter.com) offers tours by land or water, guaranteeing moose sightings. With more than 90 percent viewing success, Young's Guide Service (youngsguideservice.com) takes you into densely moose-populated areas with a local expert leading the way.

Fishing Trips

Fishin' 4 Fun (fishmoosehead4fun.com) provides guided fishing trips on Moosehead Lake for beginners through experienced fishermen. Kids will get a thrill out of hauling in a trout or salmon, with trips led by expert guides. Maine Guide Fly Shop and Guide Service (maineguideflyshop.com) is a fully stocked fisherman's shop with helpful staff to get you what you need. Guided tours are also offered, including fly-fishing lessons.

References

• The State of Maine: Lily Bay State Park
• Leisure Life Resort: Facilities
• Moosehead Historical Society and Museum: Home
• Katahdin Cruises: Moosehead Marine Museum
• Maine Moose Watching Tours: Home
• Northwoods Outfitters: Maine Moose Wildlife Tour
• Young's Guide Service: Home
• Fishing-4-Fun: Home
• Maine Guide Fly Shop and Guide Service: Home

Resources

• Visit Maine: The Maine Highlands