Photo: USGS, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
🏆 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
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Location | T7 R12 WELS, Piscataquis County, ME |
| Entry Fee | Free (logging road access) |
| Lake | 18 miles long! Allagash headwaters! |
| History | Lock Dam reversed lake’s flow (1841)! |
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.
🌲 Visit Chamberlain Lake
18-mile wilderness lake — Allagash headwaters, reversed by Lock Dam!
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.
🐾 Dogs & Pets at Chamberlain Lake
Park policy: Maine's rules for Public Lands (01-670 C.M.R. ch. 51, § 1.5) require pets in campsites to be kept leashed and not left unattended; outside campsites, pets must be kept under control (rule text at law.cornell.edu, checked November 2026).
- Pets allowed?
- Yes, pets must be leashed and attended at campsites and kept under control elsewhere on these Maine Public Lands
Are dogs allowed at Chamberlain Lake?
Yes, pets must be leashed and attended at campsites and kept under control elsewhere on these Maine Public Lands.
More: Maine state parks guide · Dog rules in all 50 states compared
Park Map
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