Scraggly Lake Public Reserved Land

If the more popular sections of Baxter State Park are a little “crowded,” head northeast to the wilderness of Scraggly Lake Public Reserved Land. The sparkling waters of the 842-acre lake beckon to kayakers, canoers, anglers—and anyone exploring the hiking trails and footpaths who wants a refreshing dip.

The lake’s name is fitting. The shoreline meanders curiously across the landscape, its myriad of coves and tiny islands offering safe harbor for feathered and furry animals. The land’s 10,000 thickly-wooded acres are remote enough that moose, bear, and coyotes are a common sight. If fishing is your sport, the lake and many nearby ponds are home to brook and lake trout, salmon, smelt and yellow perch.

Visitors can find primitive campsites and a boat launch along Scraggly Lake’s southern shore. Winter’s snow does not deter this wild area’s fans, who often come for 10 or more days at a time to camp, hunt, snowmobile, and cross-country ski.

Trekking in Scraggly Lake Public Reserved Land is more about discovering unmarked footpaths than following well-tramped hiking trails. One path winds all the way to the land’s northern boundary. Yet there’s no need to wander so far from the watery centerpiece of this preserve. With 12 miles of shoreline, Scraggly Lake offers hours of exploration fun. Just take care—and bring your camera—during spring and early summer—birdwatchers have identified a number of loon nesting sites here.

Latitude: 46.2348
Longitude: -68.7622