Chamberlain Lake

🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆 Allagash Headwaters — Remote wilderness lake at the headwaters of the Allagash Wilderness Waterway — one of the most pristine lakes in the eastern US

Chamberlain Lake is a massive, remote wilderness lake in the heart of Maine’s North Woods — the headwaters of the legendary Allagash Wilderness Waterway. At 18 miles long, Chamberlain is one of the largest and most remote lakes in the eastern United States. The lake was the center of Maine’s 19th-century logging industry — the historic Chamberlain Farm was a lumber camp serving thousands of loggers. An engineering marvel, the Lock Dam (1841), reversed the lake’s drainage from the Penobscot to the Allagash watershed to float logs south to Bangor.

Visitor Information

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get there?

Chamberlain Lake is accessed via private logging roads (often requiring a gate fee). There are no paved roads within 30 miles. This is true wilderness — bring everything you need, and be prepared for encounters with moose, loons, and bald eagles.

About Chamberlain Lake

Chamberlain Lake is part of the vast Allagash Wilderness Waterway system — a 92-mile chain of lakes and rivers that forms one of the most famous canoe routes in North America. The lake sits in the heart of the Maine North Woods and has a rich logging history — a restored steam-powered tramway once connected Chamberlain to Eagle Lake for log transport.

Things to Do

Canoeing and kayaking on the Allagash Waterway (multi-day wilderness trips), fishing for lake trout and brook trout, camping at wilderness sites, moose watching (almost guaranteed), and visiting the historic logging heritage sites.

Make it a road trip: Pair a visit with Telos (a short drive away) or Gero Island (a short drive away).

Camping reservations: Book campsites and cabins for Maine state parks online at campwithme.com.

Wildlife & Nature

Chamberlain Lake — a remote wilderness lake in the North Maine Woods. The lake’s boreal forest, islands, and pristine waters support moose, loons, bald eagles, and brook trout. Henry David Thoreau canoed through here in 1857. The area remains one of the most remote and wild places in the eastern United States.

Nearby Attractions

Allagash Wilderness Waterway — connects via the waterway system. Baxter SP — 30 miles east. North Maine Woods — surrounding.