If you are planning a trip to the Belgrade Lakes region and wondering how to fill your days, you are in good company. This part of central Maine has a quiet pull to it that keeps people coming back not because it is packed with tourist attractions, but because it is exactly the kind of place where a full week can disappear before you have ticked half your list.
Whether you are here for a long weekend, a full week, or an extended stay, this guide covers everything worth doing across all four seasons.
Kayaking and Getting Out on the Water
The lakes are the reason people come here, and getting out on the water should be the first thing on your list.
Great Pond, the largest of the seven Belgrade Lakes at 8,239 acres, is the main event. Early mornings are something else on this lake. The mist sits low until around 8 am, the water is glass-calm, and the only sounds are paddle strokes and loons. Head south toward the coves, and you will have the whole thing to yourself.
Kayaking is the best way to experience it. If you are staying at Driftwood Cottage on Great Pond, two kayaks are included with your stay at no extra cost; just pull one off the dock and go. Zeus’s Landing on Sibley Pond also includes kayaks and gives you the added bonus of a quieter, more secluded lake setting.
Paddleboarding has grown in popularity across the region too, particularly during the warmer months when the water is calm. Canoes are available for hire from Great Pond Marina if you need additional watercraft.
Fishing on Great Pond and the Belgrade Chain
Fishing is woven into the identity of this region in a way it is not in most places. Great Pond has a genuine reputation among serious anglers; largemouth and smallmouth bass, landlocked salmon, northern pike, white perch, and chain pickerel all run well here.
The good news is that you do not need a guide to have a productive morning. Bass fishing from the dock or by kayak along the lily pad edges is effective throughout June, July, and August. Salmon run better in the spring and early summer. For a guided experience, several licensed fishing guides operate on the lake and offer half-day trips that are worth it at least once.
You will need a Maine fishing license, available online at maine.gov, before you arrive. It is valid across all seven lakes in the chain. Pick up bait and tackle from Great Pond Marina or Belgrade Lakes Marine and Storage in the village.
Hiking: Kennebec Highlands and French Mountain
The Kennebec Highlands State Public Reserved Land is the go-to hiking destination from Belgrade Lakes, roughly 30 minutes by car. The trail network runs through mixed forest with lake views opening up across the Belgrade chain as you climb.
French Mountain is the most popular route: 2.5 miles round trip, manageable elevation gain, and a summit view that earns every step. It is suitable for children six and up and takes around 90 minutes at an easy pace. Bring water and wear proper footwear; the trail can be muddy after rain. Mount Phillip is a shorter, easier option for families with younger children or anyone who wants a scenic walk without much exertion. Both trails are dog-friendly; keep your dog on a lead around other hikers.
Golf at Belgrade Lakes Golf Club
The Belgrade Lakes Golf Club sits five minutes from Driftwood Cottage and consistently ranks among the top public golf courses in the United States, not just Maine. The course runs along a ridgeline above Great Pond with panoramic views that make it genuinely difficult to focus on your swing.
Book your tee time in advance, especially in July and August when it fills fast. Early morning slots are the most sought-after. Even if golf is not your main reason for visiting, the setting alone is worth seeing.
Exploring Belgrade Lakes Village
The village of Belgrade Lakes is small and entirely unpretentious, and that is exactly what makes it worth an afternoon. Day’s Store, a general store that has anchored the village for generations, is the place to start. Pick up provisions, grab breakfast, and get a sense of what a proper Maine lake village feels like.
Sadie’s Boathouse Restaurant sits on the water and serves dinner with a view. Arrive by kayak if you are feeling ambitious; there is a dock. The Village Inn and Tavern is the other reliable dining option in the area, with a classic Maine menu and no fuss.
The narrow road between Great Pond and Long Pond at the village center is worth a slow walk in the evening. The light on the water at that time of day is something you will not forget.
Dog-Friendly Activities Across the Region
One of the most common questions from guests is what there is to do here with a dog. The honest answer is: almost everything.
Both properties at Cottages of Maine are fully dog-friendly with no breed restrictions. Dogs swim from the dock, run the lakeside grounds, and join their owners on most of the hiking trails in the Kennebec Highlands. French Mountain and Mount Phillip are both dog-welcome, though a lead is appreciated around other hikers and wildlife.
The combination of open outdoor space, direct lake access, and dog-friendly trails makes this one of the better lake regions in Maine for travelling with pets. If that is what brought you here, you have picked the right spot.
View our pet-friendly lakefront cottages →
Ice Fishing in Winter
Most people do not think about Belgrade Lakes in January. That is their loss.
Great Pond freezes solidly through the winter and has a quiet tradition of ice fishing that locals take seriously. Set up on the ice in the early morning, drill your hole, and wait. The silence is complete. Pike and perch are the main targets through the ice, and the experience of being out on a frozen lake surrounded by snow-covered pines is something that no amount of summer visits will give you.
Winter stays at both Cottages of Maine properties are available year-round. The saltwater hot tub at Zeus’s Landing becomes a particular attraction in winter stepping out into cold Maine air and into warm water with a frozen lake in front of you is hard to beat.
Live Music at Snow Pond Center for the Arts
This one surprises most visitors. The New England Music Camp — one of the most respected summer music programmes in the country — operates on the shores of Messalonskee Lake (Snow Pond) about 20 minutes from Belgrade Lakes village. Throughout the summer they run free public concerts on weekend evenings.
World-class student musicians, an outdoor lakeside setting, free admission. Check the Snow Pond Center for the Arts schedule before your trip and build an evening around it. It is one of the genuinely great hidden things to do in central Maine.
Day Trips from Belgrade Lakes
If you want to venture further afield, the location puts several good options within reach:
Portland is about 75 minutes south. Walk the Old Port, eat lobster, browse the market. Easy day trip.
Sugarloaf Mountain just over an hour north. In summer: hiking and mountain biking. In winter: one of the best ski resorts in the Northeast.
Colby College, Waterville, 20 minutes away. Worth a visit for the art museum (free, excellent) and the campus architecture. If you are visiting family at Colby, staying at a lakefront cottage is considerably better than a roadside hotel.
Skowhegan 30 minutes north. The fairgrounds host events year-round, and the town has a genuine working character that is increasingly rare in New England.
When to Visit
Every season has a reason to come:
Summer (June–August) is peak season: warmest water, all village businesses open, maximum daylight. The lakes are at their most alive and so is the region.
Autumn (September–October) is the most underrated time of year. Foliage along the lake roads is spectacular, trails are quiet, and nightly rates are lower. The lakes are still swimmable through early September.
Winter (November–March) is for ice fishing, snowshoeing, and genuine quiet. Both cottages are open, and the lack of crowds is the point.
Spring (April–May) brings returning loons, wildflowers on the hiking trails, and off-peak pricing. The lake is not warm enough for swimming yet, but kayaking is excellent.
Where to Stay in Belgrade Lakes
Staying on the water makes everything easier. Having a dock to launch a kayak from, a fire pit for the evening, and a fully equipped kitchen to return to after a day out is what separates a good trip from a great one.
Driftwood Cottage sits directly on Great Pond; three bedrooms, sleeps eight, two kayaks included, pet-friendly with no breed restrictions.
Zeus’s Landing sits on Sibley Pond in Canaan: three bedrooms, sleeps six, saltwater hot tub, kayaks, beachfront access, also pet-friendly.
Both are available year-round. Book direct at cottagesofmaine.com and you pay no Airbnb or VRBO fees.Check availability and book your stay →
FAQs
What are the best things to do in Belgrade Lakes, Maine?
The best things to do in Belgrade Lakes include kayaking on Great Pond, fishing for bass and salmon, hiking at Kennebec Highlands and French Mountain, playing golf at Belgrade Lakes Golf Club, exploring Belgrade Lakes village, and attending free summer concerts at Snow Pond Center for the Arts. In winter, ice fishing on Great Pond is a standout local tradition.
Are there dog-friendly things to do in Belgrade Lakes?
Yes. Belgrade Lakes is one of the more dog-friendly lake regions in Maine. French Mountain and Mount Phillip trails both welcome dogs. Both Cottages of Maine properties — Driftwood Cottage on Great Pond and Zeus’s Landing on Sibley Pond — are fully pet-friendly with no breed restrictions and include direct lake access for dogs.
What is there to do in Belgrade Lakes in winter?
Ice fishing on Great Pond is the headline winter activity and a genuine local tradition. Snowshoeing on area trails, cozy evenings by the fire pit, and the saltwater hot tub at Zeus’s Landing are popular with winter guests. Both Cottages of Maine properties are open year-round.
Is Belgrade Lakes good for families with children?
Yes. Belgrade Lakes is well suited to families. The lake is calm and safe for young swimmers in coves and along the shore. Kayaking, fishing, hiking, and golf are all family-friendly, and the region’s unhurried pace gives children space to explore without structured activities filling every hour.
How far is Belgrade Lakes from Boston?
Belgrade Lakes is approximately 2.5 hours from Boston via I-95 North to Augusta, then Route 27 North. From Portland, Maine, it is about 75 minutes. From New York City, it is roughly 5 hours.
Can I kayak on Great Pond without renting equipment?
If you are staying at Driftwood Cottage on Great Pond through Cottages of Maine, two kayaks are included with your stay at no extra cost. If you are visiting without accommodation, Great Pond Marina in Belgrade Lakes village offers kayak and canoe hire.
What fishing is available at Belgrade Lakes?
Great Pond and the broader Belgrade Lakes chain support largemouth and smallmouth bass, landlocked salmon, northern pike, white perch, and chain pickerel. A Maine fishing licence is required for anyone aged 16 and over and can be purchased online at maine.gov before arrival. Local fishing guides offer half-day guided trips on the lake.
Cottages of Maine offers lakefront vacation rentals on Great Pond and Sibley Pond in the Belgrade Lakes region of Maine. Pet-friendly, year-round, kayaks included, direct booking with no platform fees.