State: Maine
City: Washington County
Phone: (207) 941-4412
Open all Year: Yes
Camp URL: http://www.maine.gov/cgi-bin/online/doc/parksearch/details.pl?park_id=64
Full Hook: Yes
With 11,000 acres of woodlands and wetlands bordering three lakes near East Machias, the Rocky Lake Public Lands provide opportunities for boating, camping and fishing in a wildlife-rich setting. Bald eagles nest in the area, 10 species of fish frequent the lakes and streams, and dense forests of young spruce and fir provide habitat for deer, snowshoe hare, bobcat, coyote, and even the occasional fisher, bear and moose. The property includes four miles along the upper reaches of the East Machias River, a popular paddling destination that supports sea-run Atlantic salmon.
The glacially sculpted landscape includes meandering streams and rivers, bordered by wetlands, and lakes that run north-south (the direction the glacier traveled), interspersed by low ridges of glacial till. The three lakes (1,555-acre Rocky Lake, 332-acre Second Lake and 275-acre Patrick Lake) draw visitors to fish, canoe, camp, picnic and birdwatch during spring, summer and early fall. Late fall brings hunters, and in winter visitors come by snowmobile (as access roads are not plowed) to ice fish and trap.
From the intersection of Routes 1 and 191 in East Machias, drive north on Route 191. To reach South Bay on Rocky Lake, go 7.5 miles and turn left on Diamond Match Road. Proceed 1.25 miles to the lakeside campsites and hand-carry boat launch. To reach Mud Landing, proceed past Diamond Match Road just over a mile and turn left on Mud Landing Road. That road ends at the trailerable boat launch and campsite by Northern Inlet, a feeder stream of Rocky Lake. To reach Patrick Lake, continue past Mud Landing Road 1.5 miles to where Route 86 intersects Route 191. Turn right onto Route 86 and travel approximately 1 mile to the picnic area and boat launch (on the left).
Activities
ATV riding
boating
camping
Canoeing
fishing
hunting
watching wildlife
