Basecamp: Little Lyford Lodge and Cabins & Medawisla Wilderness Lodge and Cabins
- Fall for Greenville, Maine: Moosehead Lake & Katadin steamboat tour
- Maine's Grand Canyon: Gulf Hagas waterfall hikes
- Make it a service weekend: volunteer for a trail crew
- Under a foliage canopy: exploring Maine's scenic backcountry
- Cast flies for native brookies
- Thoreau-esque paddling and wildlife watching
- Mountain biking foliage tours
- Absorb some local history in Piscataquis County towns
Unwind in a magical outdoor setting at AMC's full-service
Maine Wilderness Lodges, Little Lyford and Medawisla, and enjoy hiking, wildlife watching, paddling, and fly fishing. Little Lyford is only a two-mile hike from spectacular Gulf Hagas, and Medawisla is located on the shores of Second Roach Pond.
1. 
Fall for Greenville, Maine: Moosehead Lake & Katadin steamboat tours
Little Lyford Lodge and Cabins is located 15 miles east of Greenville, Maine in a remote, backcountry setting on 37,000-acres purchased by the AMC in 2003 as part of its Maine Woods Initiative. The vibrant town of Greenville on the shores of Moosehead Lake is the heart of the region. Shops, restaurants, and outdoor outfitters cater to visitors’ needs, and the emphasis is on outdoor recreation.
Many visitors enjoy a cruise of the lake on the historic Katahdin, built as a steamboat in 1914 at Bath Iron Works and later converted to diesel. Visitors who prefer to propel their own craft may opt to rent a canoe or kayak from a local outfitter and dip a paddle in the lake. The Moosehead Marine Museum is another Greenville highlight.
Stay a night in Greenville and then make your way to Little Lyford, where you can spend the afternoon taking a walk around the lodge or out to one of the Little Lyford ponds. Another option is jumping in a canoe or kayak at the dock for a short paddle before heading back to the lodge for a hearty, home-cooked meal.
2. Maine's Grand Canyon: Gulf Hagas waterfall hikes
A beautiful four-mile-long, slate-walled gorge carved by the West Branch of the Pleasant River, Gulf Hagas is often called the "Grand Canyon of Maine" and is also a National Natural Landmark.
A series of waterfalls, rapids, chutes, cascades, and pools make Gulf Hagas a sight to behold at any time of year. Start hiking from Little Lyford and head about two miles to the Gulf Hagas rim trail, where you can explore side trails to viewpoints of the area's famous falls. It's an easy hike to Stair Falls. This scenic canyon stretches three miles, with five major waterfalls.
3. Make it a service weekend: volunteer for a trail crew
Make a meaningful contribution over a long weekend by helping to maintain hiking trails as part of a volunteer trail crew. No experience is needed, and all abilities and efforts are welcome and appreciated. Work hard on the trail and enjoy the area’s recreational opportunities as well.
4. Under a foliage canopy: exploring Maine's scenic backcountry
Routes range from easy rambles around wetlands to mellow climbs with big views of Katahdin and the Barren-Chairback Ridge.
AMC’s miles of trail are the central line to four-season recreation on its KIW property. Hikers have front-door access to many of these from Little Lyford. Nearby Gulf Hagas Trail, an 8.6-mile spur of the Appalachian Trail, is the area’s marquee footpath.
Make a quick ascent of 2,341-foot Indian Mountain for long-range vistas that extend into Canada. Or try 2,180-foot Chairback Mountain, whose aspen-cloaked flanks give rise to the AT en route to Monument Ledge and views of more than half of AMC’s property.
Partly excerpted from "The Best of Maine," AMC Outdoors, January/February 2007
5. Cast flies for native brookies
Late September is prime time for fly fishing in the area, and Little Lyford and Medawisla are popular staging sites for fly-fishing adventures with so many pools within striking distance. Along with the iconic native brook trout—a species on the decline nationwide—there's excellent angling prospects for landlocked salmon, lake trout, and bass. Lake trout dwell in the deeper glacial lakes and are known for their larger size. Landlocked salmon—Atlantic salmon trapped in inland bodies of water—are prized for their fight. Both swim abundantly in Long Pond, which anglers can access via AMC’s self-service Moose Point Cabin on its southern shores.
Excerpted from "The Best of Maine," AMC Outdoors, January/February 2007
6. Thoreau-esque paddling and wildlife watching
Moose are said to outnumber people three to one in the Maine Woods, giving rise to a growing Maine past-time –- wildlife watching. Medawisla, located on the shore of Second Roach Pond, offers excellent "Thoreau-esque" paddling opportunities and wildlife watching for moose, loons, and eagles. Chances are good for a close-up encounter with a moose wading chest deep through the water.
7. Mountain biking foliage tours
Don't forget to bring your mountain bike along for the trip -- mapped routes around Little Lyford offer extensive biking on woods roads. There's something for everyone, with rides that range from relatively flat leisure tours to more strenous, challenging terrain.
8. Absorb some local history in Piscataquis County towns
Maine Woods explorers can also immerse themselves in local history. In the Katahdin Iron Works Township, between Little Lyford and Brownville, ruins of the historic Katahdin Iron Works can be seen. Tour the remains of the old smelter and charcoal kiln that once supported a village located here. The Brownville Historical Society operates a museum for the public, as does the Milo Historical Society. Thoreau’s Park in Greenville commemorates Henry David Thoreau’s 19th century explorations of the area. Dover-Foxcroft is home to the Blacksmith Shop Museum, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
