Flagstaff Lake Hut, Western Maine
- Jill McMahon
- May 28
- 2 min read
Hike in to this off-grid eco-lodge
If you’re curious about staying in a backcountry hut, here’s one to consider as you get your feet wet. With an easy and relatively flat two-mile hike in, plus gear shuttle options, Maine Huts & Trails’ Flagstaff Lake Hut is an ideal “first hut” experience. In addition to private lake access with breathtaking views of the Bigelow Range, the hut also offers:
Hot showers, sinks with mirrors, and composting toilets
Access to canoes, kayaks, and PFDs for renters (in summer)
Private bunkrooms (they provide pillows and mattresses, you bring a pillowcase and sleeping bag)
Full commercial kitchen
Woodstove, leather couches, and handmade wood tables and chairs
An assortment of board games, puzzles, and books
Drying room for wet gear
Outdoor firepit with seating
The trailhead is located 22 miles down Long Falls Dam Road from Route 16 in New Portland (about an hour northeast from Sugarloaf Mountain), and the dirt parking lot includes an outhouse.
Last weekend, we brought 46 middle school students and their teachers/chaperones here for a Teens to Trails program (my day job). Between the paddling, sunrise/sunset lakeside views, group cooking in a commercial kitchen, exploring surrounding trails, and playing manhunt at night, the kids had an absolute blast. If you’re looking for a full-hut rental for your group, this place is idyllic.
As dreamy as this hut is in summer, winter season (late December through mid March) may be even better. That’s when they offer full-service trips and private room stays. Unlike summer season, when the hut is only available for full hut rentals, and you need to pack in/prepare your own food.
On Saturdays and Sundays in the winter season, day visitors can enjoy soups, sandwiches, sweets, and hot and cold beverages from 12 –2 p.m. Overnight winter guests can choose full-service trips Thursdays through Sundays (all meals included and optional gear shuttles) or self-service trips (no gear shuttles and you bring your own food) Mondays through Wednesdays.
The very best part about a winter hut stay? You can cross-country ski on groomed trails to other Maine Huts for a hut-to-hut winter adventure. The primary trail system - the Maine Hut Trail - connects all 4 eco-lodges, spanning over 47 miles from end to end, connecting Stratton Brook Hut, Poplar Hut, Flagstaff Lake Hut, and Grand Falls Hut. Find more details on trails to the huts here.
I didn’t take many photos of the hut. Your phone won’t work here, so you’ll end up leaving it in your bunkroom…a refreshing change of pace, and a rare opportunity to just be present and enjoy the view.
