Explore Maine’s Remote Ponds with AMC’s Free Canoes

Did you know that AMC has a stash of canoes at remote ponds throughout the Maine Woods–and that they are free and open to the public?

“When we bought the land, there was a lot of fear about gates closing and access being lost,” says Charlene Fearnley, AMC’s MWI Regional Lodging Manager. “Offering canoes and kayaks at remote ponds was one way to show that we wanted people to come out, explore, and enjoy these places.”

Canoes, kayaks, paddleboards, and paddling equipment are included in your stay at any of AMC’s Maine Woods Lodges, but as part of our commitment to reducing barriers to the outdoors, AMC also provides free-use canoes at select wilderness ponds. “Canoes aren’t cheap,” Charlene says. “With AMC’s boats, all you need is your paddle and PFD, and you can get out there.”

Here’s where to find them:

Where to Paddle in the Maine Woods

Moose sightings. Shooting stars. The clean, earthy smell of balsam fir. Cold, clean water perfect for fishing. Deep quiet. One of the best–and perhaps most underrated–ways to explore AMC’s Maine Woods is by boat. As Charlene put it after a recent canoe trip, “It felt like we were paddling in the sky.”

Here are two of the best Maine Woods paddling destinations. For more details and a comprehensive guide to quiet water paddling in Maine, check out Quiet Water Maine, 3rd Edition by AMC Books.

Long Pond

Location: Bowdoin College Grant East and West, Elliotsville Township, T7 R9 NWP
Time: 4 hours

Tucked among the peaks of White Cap, Chairback, Barren, and Baker, AMC’s Long Pond is a quiet escape with endless ways to explore. Paddle across its sheltered waters and you might spot loons, deer, moose, otters, or beavers. Anglers know it as a hotspot for brook trout, lake trout, and landlocked salmon.

Thanks to AMC’s restoration work, forests are thriving here again. You’ll paddle through hillsides spread with a rich mix of hardwoods and conifers. Historic log cabins dot the shoreline, adding to the pond’s timeless, wild character. Whether you’re paddling, fishing, or leaf-peeping in the fall, Long Pond delivers the magic of Maine’s 100-Mile Wilderness.

Stay right on the pond at AMC’s Gorman Chairback Lodge & Cabins, or nearby at Little Lyford Lodge & Cabins—the perfect basecamps for adventure. Beyond paddling and fishing, explore the towering old-growth pines of The Hermitage or hike into Gulf Hagas, the “Grand Canyon of Maine,” where waterfalls and slate cliffs rise 400 feet above the river.

Second, Third, and Fourth Roach Ponds

Location: Shawtown Township, T1 R12 WELS
Time: Multiday; shorter trips possible

The abundant wildlife that awaits you makes the trip into remote Second, Third, and Fourth Roach Ponds well worth the effort. If you camp at the primitive campsites, you will likely have the whole place to yourself—along with moose, deer, otters, eagles, and other wildlife. Want more amenities and cozy comfort? AMC’s Medawisla Lodge & Cabins sits right on the shore of Second Roach Pond.

Paddle through a Northern Maine woodland of spruce, balsam fir, white pine, cedar, and paper birch; or head to the long point of land reaching south from Third into Fourth Roach Pond for a more open red pine forest, great for walking, picnicking, or camping. The ponds are connected by a small stream—paddleable in spring, but usually a wade-and-pull crossing by midsummer. Marshes and coves provide excellent wildlife viewing, while the sandy beach campsite on Third Roach Pond is a favorite spot to relax after a day on the water.

Access is easiest via Second Roach Pond, close to Medawisla’s launch site. From there, you can paddle deeper into the chain of ponds for more seclusion and exploration.

What to Bring Paddling

A joyous day on the water starts with proper preparation. AMC’s Medawisla, Gorman Chairback, and Little Lyford lodges have paddles and personal flotation devices (PFDs) for guests, but if you’re planning on venturing out on one of our public use boats for a day paddle, here’s what to bring with you:

• A personal flotation device (PFD)
• Paddles
• Waterproof first aid kit (Suggested items include: banadages, blister kit, antihistamine for allergic reactions, sunscreen, extra hat, pain reliever, and any special medications.)
• Whistle, in case you need to summon help
• Food and drinking water
• Extra layers and a rain jacket in a waterproof bag

Paddling Safety Tips

• Check the weather forecast before going out
• Get off the water during lightning storms
• Know what to do if you capsize
• Avoid dehydration by drinking plenty of liquids
• If you’re paddling on a bigger body of water, make sure to bring a map of the area

Whether you’re planning a day paddle from a lodge or exploring a remote pond with AMC’s public-use boats, AMC’s Maine Woods lodges and free-use canoes make it easy to get out on the water without the cost or hassle of transporting a boat.

“Even though I work in the woods, I forget how regulating it is to recreate in the woods, too,” Charlene says. “Sometimes it feels like the pond exists just for you.”