The Maine Highlands Region

Counties | Towns & Cities | Climate | Events | Attractions | Region Map

The Maine Highlands, a region spanning from the city of Bangor north to the remote reaches of the 200,000-acre Baxter State Park, boasts the state’s tallest peak, Mount Katahdin, and largest inland body of water, Moosehead Lake. Moose and wildlife abound and are typical sites for those visiting the area. Recreational activities are many and include whitewater rafting along the Penobscot River, hiking the Appalachian Trail, canoeing and kayaking, fishing, biking, camping, hunting, snowmobiling, skiing, and snowshoeing. Maine event highlights include Moose Mainea, the Wooden Canoe Festival, the International Seaplane Fly-In, and the Katahdin Winterfest, in addition to many cultural events in the Bangor area.

Counties in the Region

To see maps of Penobscot County and all towns & cities in the county, click here; Piscataquis County and all towns & cities in the county, click here.

10 Largest Cities & Towns*

Other towns of interest include Bradley, Corinna, Corinth, Dexter, Garland, Holden, Indian Island, Lee, Newport, Orrington, Patten, Sherman, Staceyville, Veazie, and Winterport (Penobscot County); Atkinson, Brownville, Greenville, Guilford, Lake View Plt., Medford, Milo, Monson, Orneville Twp., Pittston Farm, Rockwood, Sangerville, Sebec, Seboomook, and Williamsburg Twp. (Piscataquis County). *Population figures are based on 2020 Maine census estimates.

Climate – Average High/Low Temperatures (F)

• Bangor, Maine (Penobscot County): January: 26.7 to 8.2; April: 50.9 to 32.8; July: 78.1 to 58.3; October: 56.9 to 38.7
• Dover-Foxcroft (Piscataquis County): January: 24.2 to 2.4; April: 49.5 to 28.8; July: 78.6 to 54.5; October: 55.6 to 33.6.

Geography & Natural Attractions

Moosehead Lake, Maine’s largest lake with over 400 miles of shoreline; Mt. Katahdin, Maine’s highest mountain (and northern terminus for the Appalachian Trail), located in Baxter State Park; Mount Kineo, a sheer 700-foot drop into the eastern side of Moosehead Lake; Gulf Hagas, “The Grand Canyon of Maine”—four miles long with 150-foot-high vertical slate walls, numerous waterfalls, chutes, and pools; and the Penobscot River, a large, fast-moving river with numerous rapids.

Major Events

• February: Katahdin Area Winterfest (Millinocket)
• May-June: Moose Mainea Celebration (Greenville)
• July: Maine Forest & Logging Museum Living History Days (Bradley)
• August: Wooden Canoe Festival (Millinocket)
• September: International Sea Plane Fly-In (Greenville)
• October: Maine Forest & Logging Museum Living History Days (Bradley)

Major Historic and Cultural Attractions & Sites

• Bangor: Bangor Symphony Orchestra, Bass Park – home to the Paul Bunyan Statue
• Bradley: Maine Forest & Logging Museum
• Brewer: Clewley Museum – featuring family items of Maine’s civil war hero, Joshua L. Chamberlain
• Brownville Junction: Katahdin Iron Works; Greenville: S.S. Katahdin—floating Moosehead Lake Marine Museum
• Indian Island: Penobscot Nation Museum – Indian Artifacts; Millinocket: Ambejejus Boom House – Historical items related to Papermaking in Maine, Northern Timber Cruisers Antique Snowmobile Museum
• Orono: The Hudson Museum – Native Maine Indian Culture Exhibits.

State Parks

Baxter State Park (Millinocket), Lily Bay State Park (Greenville), and Peaks Kenny State Park (Dover-Foxcroft).

Recreational Activities

Biking, hiking (Appalachian Trail), canoeing & kayaking (Allagash Wilderness Waterway), freshwater fishing, moose-watching safaris, white-water rafting (Penobscot River), downhill and cross-country skiing, and snowmobiling.

The Maine Highlands Map

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