For thousands of years the Penobscot River has been the center of the Penobscot Nation and their territory. The longest river in Maine at 240 miles, and the second largest river system in New England, it drains 8,570 square miles. The word Penobscot is an anglicized version of Pannawambskek which describes the river between Indian Island and Bangor and means "place of the white rocks". This was an important canoe route river, with the East and West Branches, and major tributaries (the Passadumkeag, the Piscataquis, and Mattawamkeag) connecting the Penobscot to all parts of central and northern Maine and in to Canada. The Penobscots retained the islands in the Penobscot River above Marsh Island and these now make up the Penobscot Reservation, with the main village at Indian Island.

The Machias River flows through the heart of Passamaquoddy territory. Wild and free flowing, Machias in Passamaquoddy means "bad little falls" and aptly describes the many challenging rapids along this river. The Machias River Corridor has been designated a "Globally Important Bird Area", and is also an important river for wild Atlantic salmon. Machias Bay is the site of petroglyphs etched into the rocks over 3,000 years ago by the ancestors of the Passamaquoddy people.

At 62 miles long, the St. Croix River forms part of the eastern boundary between Maine and New Brunswick, Canada. One of the earliest attempts at settlement by the French occurred on St. Croix Island in 1604. The river flows through Passamaquoddy territory and is a major river for populations of Atlantic salmon.

Wild, scenic, and remote the Dead River originates near the Canadian border and flows to The Forks where it enters the Kennebec River. This area is good fishing, great scenery and waterfalls. In the summer whitewater rafting trips leave from the Forks.

Forty miles long by ten miles wide, Moosehead Lake is the largest lake in Maine. The headwaters of the Kennebec River and West Branch of the Penobscot River originates here. In the mid 19th century writer Henry David Thoreau made two trips to this area with Penobscot guides from Indian Island. On his second trip, with his guide Joe Polis, he traveled though Moosehead Lake connecting with the West Branch of the Penobscot, north to Chamberlain Lake, and then connected though Webster Brook to the East Branch of the Penobscot River to return to Bangor. Surrounded by mountains and forests Moosehead Lake remains the gateway to the North Maine Woods and a mecca for eco-tourists, fishermen, hunters, and snowmobilers.

The Allagash River and the many connected lakes and deadwaters that make it up were an important canoe route for Wabanaki people to travel between the Kennebec, and the Penobscot River systems to the St John. In 1966 the Allagash Wilderness Waterway was established by the State of Maine protecting 92 miles of river, lakes, and shoreline. Motorized boats are prohibited along sections of this waterway.

The St John River flows through Micmac and Maliseet territories. At 410 miles long it drains over 21,000 square miles in the United States and Canada, and flows through 100 miles of undeveloped forest. The river forms 70 miles of boundary between Maine and New Brunswick. It is a popular fishing river for Muskellunge and small mouth bass. Known for it’s difficult rapids it is best paddled with a guide.

This area is world famous for it’s excellent landlocked salmon fishing and the “Grand Laker Canoe”. There are many interconnected lakes in this area including Big Lake, Long Lake, and Lewey Lake the home of the Passamaquoddy Tribe at Indian Township. Since the 1800’s Passamaquoddy guides have been guiding hunters, fishermen, and tourists into their territory.

This area is world famous for it’s excellent landlocked salmon fishing and the “Grand Laker Canoe”. There are many interconnected lakes in this area including Big Lake, Long Lake, and Lewey Lake the home of the Passamaquoddy Tribe at Indian Township. Since the 1800’s Passamaquoddy guides have been guiding hunters, fishermen, and tourists into their territory.

The Kennebec River originates at Moosehead Lake and flows south for 150 miles to empty into Merrymeeting Bay on the coast. This was the the territory of bands of Eastern Abenaki who were displaced in the wars of the 18th century. After a devastating attack by the English on the native village of Norridgewock, survivors moved into Canada or joined with the Penobscot and Passamaquoddy tribes. Today, the river is known for it’s great fishing, canoeing, and whitewater rafting.

Chamberlain Lake is the largest lake in the Allagash Wilderness Waterway System, covering over 11,000 acres. Strong winds can make this a challenging paddle for canoeists, but worth it for the scenery, wildlife viewing, and secluded camping sites. Before 1841 the water in Chamberlain Lake flowed north eventually reaching the St. John River. The American lumber industry wanted logs cut from this area to reach Bangor, which was known at the time as the lumber capital of the world, and so devised a plan to reverse the flow of the lake by way of tdams and canals. By 1841 the two dams and canals that connected Chamberlain Lake to Telos Lake; and Telos Lake to Webster Lake were completed. From Webster Lake logs would then flow into Mattagamon connecting with the East Branch of the Penobscot River, then joining with the Penobscot River at Medway for the rest of the journey south to Bangor.

One of the largest lakes in Maine, the Chesuncook Lake we know today was formed by the damming of the West branch of the Penobscot River in 1903. The dam caused Ripogenus, Caribou, Cheuncook Lakes to merge together into one large lake. In the Penobscot language Chesuncook means, “at the big outlet”. It was, and still is, an important canoe trail location. From the north end of the lake canoeists can connect south and west by way of the West Branch of the Penobscot to Moosehead Lake and the Kennebec River; or north to the St. John River by way of Umbazooksus Stream to the Allagash; or to other points west by Caucomgomoc Steam.

In the Penobscot language Millinocket translates to “where there are islands of variable shapes”, referring to the Islands in the Penobscot River in that area. Millinocket Lake was formed by the Millinocket Lake Dam which was completed in 1910 for hydropower for the paper industry. The lake covers 8,960 acres and has great views of Mt. Katahdin. Millinocket Lake is a popular fishing spot for landlocked salmon, lake trout, and white perch.

Pemadumcook Lake is one of a series of large lakes which include Ambajejus, Elbow, and North and South Twin Lakes which are part of the West Branch of the Penobscot River. Together these lakes make up the fifth largest lake system in Maine. In Penobscot Pemadumcook means, “where the sand bar extends with the current”. The lake contains Trout, Togue, and landlocked Atlantic Salmon. Pemadumcook Lake was visited by Henry David Thoreau in 1846.

In 1950 the Dead River was impounded by the Long Falls Dam, enlarging Flagstaff Lake to its size today. The hydropower dam submerged the townships of Flagstaff, Bigelow, Dead River, and Carrying Place. The lake is very shallow reaching a maximum depth of only 48 feet. The lake is located in the beautiful western mountains of Maine.

Sebago translates to “great stretch of water”, and is an accurate description. Covering 30,513 acres, Sebago Lake is Maine’s second largest lake. Its depth reaches 316 ft at its deepest point. The area is a popular tourist destination known for its scenery, fishing, fall foliage, and ice fishing. Sebago Lake State Park is open year round. Sebago Lake is also the primary water supply for the greater Portland region.

Rising majestically out of the waters of Moosehead Lake, Mt. Kineo was of vital importance to prehistoric Wabanaki tribes. Kineo’s 700 foot cliffs are made from a type of rhyolite that is of the highest quality for making stone tools. This stone was highly prized and was carried or traded throughout New England and as far away as New York State, Pennsylvania, and Canada. A boat ride across Moosehead Lake will take you to the island where there are hiking trails for climbing.

Mount Kineo Website

One of the first mountains revealed after the retreat of the massive glacier that covered Maine, Cadillac Mountain, on Mt. Desert Island, is one of the first places in the United States to receive the light of the rising sun. Cadillac and the surrounding mountains were called Pemetic which means "mountains seen at a distance" and were a landmark when traveling by ocean. Now encompassed within the boundaries of Acadia National Park you can hike or drive to the summit. The views from this pink granite mountain are spectacular.

Cadillac Mountain Website

Located in the western mountains, Sugarloaf is the second highest peak in Maine. In the past the western Maine mountains were home to various bands of Eastern Abenaki, until they retreated into Canada in the wars of the 18th century. Today Sugarloaf Mountain is the site of the largest ski area east of the Rockies. In the summer the area is a popular destination for fly fishing, chairlift rides, zip-line tours, and hiking.

Sugarloaf Mountain Website

Nestled between the East and West Branches of the Penobscot River, Mt. Katahdin is the highest mountain in Maine at 5,270 ft. Katahdin means "the big or great mountain" and is considered a sacred mountain to the Penobscot and surrounding Wabanaki tribes. Today the mountain is protected within the boundaries of Baxter State Park and the area is popular for hiking, camping, fishing, whitewater rafting, moose watching and winter sports. The mountain is also the terminus of the Appalachian Trail. It is truly one of the most beautiful areas within what is now the state of Maine.

Mount Katahdin Website