Moosehead Lake East Shore Road
Scenic lakeside route through moose country
The East Shore Road hugs the eastern shoreline of Moosehead Lake for 40 miles from Lily Bay State Park to Kokadjo, providing unfiltered access to Maine’s largest lake through country that looks exactly like it did when Thoreau paddled these waters in the 1850s. The road passes through Kineo Point across from the dramatic Mount Kineo, a 700-foot rhyolite cliff rising straight from the water that served as a sacred quarry site for Native Americans seeking the volcanic glass for tools and weapons. You’ll encounter several stream crossings and rough sections where the road deteriorates near remote coves and inlet streams.
This easy-to-moderate route is passable by most vehicles with decent ground clearance, though spring mud season and winter snow make it inaccessible except during summer and fall months. The road offers dozens of primitive camping spots right on the lakeshore, many accessible only to those willing to drive the rough sections. Bring bug spray – the blackflies and mosquitoes are legendary. What you get is solitude on one of Maine’s most storied waters, with world-class brook trout and lake trout fishing, plus the chance to see moose, bears, and loons in their element.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Easy |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Scenic Drive |
| Surface | Dirt |
| Features | Camping, Scenic, Water Crossings |
| Length (miles) | 40 mi / 64.4 km |
| Duration | 1 day |
| Max elevation (ft) | 1100 ft |
| Best season | June-October |
| Minimum vehicle | High-clearance recommended |
| Nearest town | Greenville, Maine |
| Land manager | Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | Spotty |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
| Copy both for Google Maps directionsClick to copy the directions URL · or open it directly in a new tab | |
| Find on Google | Search on Google → |
Location
Trail Conditions
No recent condition reports. Be the first to post one.
Log in to post a condition report.
Frequently asked questions
Can a stock Tacoma or 4Runner run this trail without any mods?
Yes. High clearance is recommended but this is an easy dirt road — a stock mid-size 4x4 handles it fine. A Subaru Outback or similar AWD with decent ground clearance can manage it in dry conditions, but after heavy rain the soft spots get sloppy.
When does the trail open and close each year?
Access is best June through October. Spring mud season (typically April–May) can make the road impassable even for 4x4s, and snow closes it in winter. Check with the Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands for current conditions before heading out.
Do I need a permit or is there a fee to drive this road?
No permit is required to drive the East Shore Road. Dispersed camping is allowed under Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands rules — follow Leave No Trace, stay out of designated sensitive areas, and don't camp within 100 feet of water.
What's the roughest section of the trail and what should I expect?
Nothing on this route is technically demanding — the hardest parts are the water crossings after rain, which can be soft-bottomed and slippery. The road is mostly flat with only 400 feet of total gain over 40 miles, so it's more about mud management than technical driving.
How far is the nearest gas station and is there cell service on the trail?
Fuel up in Greenville before you leave — it's the last reliable gas stop, and you'll want a full tank for the 40-mile run plus any exploring. Cell service is spotty to nonexistent along most of the route, so download offline maps and let someone know your plans.
Trail track
No GPX track for this trail yet. If you've driven it and have a track, contribute below.
Log in to contribute a GPX track.