Lily Bay Township, Maine

Lily Bay Township is a place where the forest meets Maine’s largest lake in a landscape that feels almost primordial. Located on the eastern shore of Moosehead Lake, this small township exists primarily as a gateway to wilderness recreation, most notably Lily Bay State Park, one of the finest campgrounds in the Maine state park system.

The township stretches along miles of Moosehead Lake shoreline, offering views across the “inland sea” to the mountains beyond. Unlike the busier town of Greenville to the south, Lily Bay retains a quieter, more remote character. The landscape is dominated by spruce and fir forest, with the occasional glimpse of the lake through the trees as you drive the winding Lily Bay Road.

Lily Bay State Park is the primary draw, with 925 acres of lakefront property split between two distinct campgrounds. The southern campground sits on a small peninsula with campsites that practically hang over the water. The northern campground is more sheltered, tucked into the forest. Between them, a beautiful sandy beach. A rarity on rocky Moosehead, provides swimming access when the water warms in midsummer.

Beyond the state park, Lily Bay Township offers some of the best lake trout fishing in Maine. The deep, cold waters of Moosehead support trophy-sized lakers, and the boat launch facilities in the park provide excellent access for both anglers and recreational boaters. Rowell Cove, a sheltered arm of the lake within the township, is particularly popular for small craft.

The township has no real village center, just scattered seasonal camps and year-round homes tucked into the woods. Services are minimal; visitors stock up in Greenville before heading north. This lack of development is part of the appeal: Lily Bay feels genuinely remote, even though it’s only 15 minutes from Greenville’s restaurants and outfitters.

Wildlife viewing is exceptional. Moose are common along the roadsides at dawn and dusk. Loons nest on the lake and fill summer evenings with their distinctive calls. Bald eagles patrol the shoreline. For those seeking the classic Maine North Woods experience, campfire smoke, loon calls, starry skies, and the vast silence of the wilderness, Lily Bay Township delivers.