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The area north of Millinocket is a vast sweep of forest, dotted with lakes and ledge, and cut by one of the most fabled rivers in Maine, the West Branch of the Penobscot. This is Thoreau country, the setting for the journeys described in Henry David Thoreau’s The Maine Woods. It is a land rich in human and natural history, and nowhere more so than at Big Eddy, where the Penobscot River finally slows after a 5-mile tumble through the rapids of Ripogenus Gorge.
Situated just outside Baxter State Park, Big Eddy is considered a world-class site for Landlocked Salmon and has been a destination for fishermen for at least 100 years. The road to Big Eddy is equally stirring.
Just beyond Millinocket, the grand Katahdin Range looms on the horizon, and the summits of Doubletop, The Owl, the Brothers, and Mt. O-J-I are all visible on a clear day. It is still possible to see more moose than cars on an early-morning drive on the Golden Road. Then there’s the river itself, a dark constant cutting through the region’s geology and culture.
Big Eddy remains one of those rare places that seem unchanged by time. Join us for an experience in one of the most spectacular places in New England.
North of Bangor, take I-95 to Exit 244 Medway/Baxter State Park Follow Routes 157 & 11 to downtown Millinocket. Follow signs through town toward Baxter State Park. After approximately 11 miles, turn left at the North Woods Trading Post & General Store at the blue & white signs for West Branch Region and Big Eddy Campground. From here, DO NOT follow sign to Baxter State Park. Continue on the Golden Road. Travel approximately 17 miles to Chewonki’s Big Eddy Campground (entrance on your right).
This is a guess. We have heard wonderful things about the beautiful setting of this campground, but we could not get to it. The “Golden Road” you have to take to get there is a gravel logging road with a true washboard surface. We were looking forward to the secluded and private location of this campground, but after the connecting road from Baxter State Park Road to Golden Road, and a couple of miles on Golden Road, we were concerned about damage to our car and camper so we abandoned and went elsewhere. Also, you would have to travel that same road to get back and forth to Baxter. (If you read the kiosk sign at the The Lakes, you will see a warning about driving Golden Road.). So, this isn’t fair to the campground because the condition of the road is outside their control, but you need to be really sure you want to deal with getting there before booking a stay.
I stayed at Big Eddy over Father's day weekend and stayed in a cozy cabin instead of the usual tent. It was very clean and I was especially happy I reserved it when it started raining. My gear stayed dry and I was warm. Thanks again and can't wait to stay again!
Big Eddy is a remote camp in a remote area in the North Maine Woods, there is no cell phone service or internet.
The grounds are very clean and every site is level and graded.
We had site 20 its was nice but after checking the sites 19 was definitely better.
The camp is right on the river. we did have power outlets and 19 had the water. The camp is powered by solar panels and a generator that runs from 8am to 8pm
They offer showers and there is out houses everwhere that are clean.
They have primitive camp sites on the otherside of the river.
Booking on line is simple.
They have a camp office where they offer morning coffee just bring a cup They also have ice in limited quantities.
There is a boat launch for small boats,canoes and kayaks.
Definitely check out Big Eddy campgrounds if you're ever in Northern Maine
Went camping here this past weekend while on a trip to visit the ghost trains and really enjoyed it! Prices were decent & it’s a great fishing spot. I caught a decent trout pretty easily. Love listening to the sound of the rapids at night. They do have showers but they do cost $2 extra per shower- so just prepare for that. No trash receptacles so make sure you bring out what you bring in! There are outhouse bathrooms throughout. Overall very relaxing place and we’ll be back sometime!
