Flagstaff Lake, Maine

[Art D]

I'm looking at several possible destinations starting this mid-week. One is Flagstaff Lake in Maine. In the AMC Quiet Water Guide, it looks remote enough, but the Gazetteer makes it look like a cottage lake with a dozen boat launches. Can anyone offer insight into what kind of experience I might find there? Thanks.

Art

 

[Robin]

I camped on a beach, part of the MPRL, (B2, page 29-Gaz) at the end of Flagstaff Rd. It was days after ice out, and most of my paddling was hugging the shoreline around the island and nearby peninsula. I never saw a cabin, other boats or paddlers the 3 days I was there midweek. It definitely had that reservoir feeling as the water level was low and there were big beaches with stumps. I enjoyed my time there, worth the visit.

 

[Glenn MacGrady]

I don't recall many if any houses on Flagstaff Lake when I paddled it years ago. It was a much smaller lake until 1949 when its level was raised by the dam, submerging the village of Flagstaff under water. So, you could plan on bringing a snorkel and intentionally dumping for an unusual trip.

This Underwater Ghost Town In Maine Is A Fascinating And Heartbreaking Story

An underwater town exists in Maine!

www.onlyinyourstate.com

 

[Spenny]

there are definitely camps on flagstaff, but its a HUGE lake. its been 30 years since I paddled it, but we drove up there on a rainy day this summer. its still as pretty as ever.

 

[Art D]

I camped on a beach, part of the MPRL, (B2, page 29-Gaz) at the end of Flagstaff Rd. It was days after ice out, and most of my paddling was hugging the shoreline around the island and nearby peninsula. I never saw a cabin, other boats or paddlers the 3 days I was there midweek. It definitely had that reservoir feeling as the water level was low and there were big beaches with stumps. I enjoyed my time there, worth the visit.View attachment 137541

Robin, was that at the end of Flagstaff Road or West Flagstaff Road?

 

[yellowcanoe]

Camps are on the west side as there are two settlements there and some on the east side
The north side is wild but unbuilt and the south side Public land
Its not s wahoo motorboat lake
We paddle parts of it most years
Go find the foundations of the drowned town its weird to paddle over foundations
here is a map

https://www.maine.gov/dacf/parksearch/PropertyGuides/PDF_GUIDE/bigelow-preserve-flagstaff-lake.pdf

 

[Robin]

Robin, was that at the end of Flagstaff Road or West Flagstaff Road?

Yes, the image is the end of Flagstaff Rd on MPRL (Maine Public Reserved Lands).