Paddling & Camping
The Downeast Lakes region around Grand Lake Stream, Maine is the connection for traditional canoe travel between the Saint Croix, Machias, and Penobscot River watersheds. These rivers and the Downeast Lakes offer exceptional opportunities for multi-day canoe or kayak trips. These trips rival any in the northeast for solitude, beauty, and adventure.
DLLT has created the Downeast Lakes Community Forest Visitor’s Guide to support recreational use and enjoyment. Eleven water-access campsites allow a variety of options for multi-day trips, and can be combined with visits to additional sites maintained by the Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands and the Passamaquoddy and Penobscot Tribes. With a canoe, basic camping gear, and some preparation, any family can enjoy spending a night, or a week, on the shores of the Downeast Lakes while listening to the calls of loons or looking for a moose. The large lakes can quickly develop challenging or hazardous paddling conditions in strong winds, so paddlers must remain alert. Camping on the Downeast Lakes Water Trail is free, and sites are available on a first-come basis. Maximum stay of 3 nights per site. Permits required for campfires are available from the Maine Forest Service at 207-827-1800. Please see the current State of Maine guidelines on remote tent camping here.
Not looking to camp? Day trip options abound. Choose an island or one of the Water Trail campsites for a picnic destination. If you don’t know the area very well, a knowledgeable Registered Maine Guide can lead you on many different excursions in the Downeast Lakes region.
Paddlers should also consider participating in the annual West Grand Lake Race, held every July. Choose a 4 mile, 6 mile, or 12 mile race, each around an island in West Grand Lake, starting and finishing at the boat landing in Grand Lake Stream. For young paddlers, a kids’ division races a short course within a protected cove. After the race, there’s a barbecue lunch and awards ceremony. This fun event attracts both families and serious racers. Any self-propelled watercraft may participate.
Downeast Lakes Land Trust Campsites
*Click on the site name for a photo, and the coordinates to view in Google Maps.
Dobsis Narrows: 45.27388, -68.05751
Farm Cove West: 45.22305, -67.87814
Flood Cove: 45.22579, -67.92131
Fourth Machias Outlet N: 45.16923, -67.97329
Fourth Machias Outlet S: 45.16879, -67.97295
Little Mayberry Cove: 45.20411, -67.81199
McClellan Cove: 45.24847, -67.88460
Pocumcus East: 45.20169, -67.91669
Pocumcus Narrows: 45.20751, -67.94514
Princeton Island Cove: 45.26057, -67.84931
Rolfe Brook Site A: 45.16756, -67.84440
Rolfe Brook Site B: 45.16774, -67.84396
Stone Dam: 45.14137, -67.87874
Rolfe Brook Campsites are the only drive-up, tent-only sites, located at the end of Rolfe Brook Road (located approximately 4 miles west of Grand Lake Stream)
Trip Review
Logbook entry: “David Cloutier – South Portland, ME. Spent 2 nights – 3 days on the Downeast Lakes Water Trail. Camped night one at Cranberry Cove on “Dobry”. Camped the second night here at Flood Cove. Weather was incredible and paddling conditions favorable for a solo paddle. Great stay. Thanks Downeast Lakes Land Trust.”
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