Growing up in the shadow of Mt. Katahdin, I had the opportunity to experience various outdoor activities, which contributes to my passion for the great outdoors.
In the summer of 2015, I took my family to Millinocket, Maine to relive some of my childhood memories. For one week we stayed at The Woodworth Family Homestead at Camp Rhodora located on Millinocket Lake. This is an off the grid working homestead with animals and a garden.
There is a great deal of history with this camp going back to the 1800's. This is a favorite spot for artists due to the fact this property was once own by the famous landscape artist, Frederic Church. Situated in a rustic setting with limited electricity from a generator, limited Wi-Fi, no indoor plumbing except a hand pump and a beautiful view of Mt. Katahdin. There are three cabins to rent, one large and two smaller ones. We stayed in the larger cabin. The owner's were welcoming and very accommodating, providing us with a wonderful vacation.
Largest Camp on the Property
If you’re an outdoor enthusiast, the Katahdin Region is for you. There are numerous outdoor activities from hiking, whitewater rafting, canoeing, kayaking, camping, scenic float plane rides, swimming, fishing, moose tours, and just enjoying the beautiful scenery. In the winter, there is miles of snowmobile trails, cross country skiing, ice fishing and snow shoeing.
During our vacation we enjoyed a few of the local attractions, such as Baxter State Park. My daughter is still too young to hike Mt. Katahdin, but there were plenty of other hiking opportunities for all levels. The first stop of the day was the Katahdin Stream Falls Trail, a childhood favorite hike of mine. The trail follows a mountain stream up to a spectacular waterfall, where you have the opportunity to dunk your head into the cold, clear mountain water.
Katahdin Stream Falls in Baxter State Park
The second hike was into Big and Little Niagara Falls with beautiful views and some swimming opportunities.
After the hike we stopped at a popular swimming hole, Ledge falls, which hosts a series of natural watersides providing entertainment to all ages. In my daughter's words “this was the best day ever” A perfect spot to have a picnic, sunbathe and cool off after a day of hiking.
Sliding Rock
New England Outdoors Center is another popular destination also located on Millinocket Lake. It is a beautiful facility with cabins, a restaurant, boat rentals and moose tours. A great way to unwind after a busy day is to enjoy a delicious meal and refreshing drink while sitting on their patio overlooking the spectacular views of Millinocket Lake and Mt. Katahdin.
Just like everyone else our lives can get hectic, therefore we spent much of the vacation relaxing around the cabin, swimming, kayaking, paddling boarding, playing on the beach, visiting with family and friends and enjoying the wildlife around our cabin. If you are visiting the area and want a book to read, I highly recommended picking up Lost on a Mountain in Maine, I read this several times as a teenager and again in my adult years with my daughter. It’s a great family vacation book.
Perfect little beach for young children and dogs.
If you are looking for a rustic vacation allowing you to escape all modern distractions, Woodworth Family Homestead is the place for you.
For more information on Woodworth Family Homestead check out their Facebook page. To get more information on the Katahdin area, check out Katahdin Area Chamber of Commerce website, www.katahdinmaine.com.
