New England Outdoor Center: Escape to NEOC at Millinocket Lake

I love staying someplace that’s both our lodging and our source of activities, and the New England Outdoor Center (NEOC) is definitely that! Located on Millinocket Lake in the Highlands of Maine, NEOC is a collection of wonderful cabins, large and small, with lots of outdoor activities onsite, restaurants and just a wonderful atmosphere. Being so near Baxter State Park, the view of Mount Katahdin from the main lodge building at NEOC is iconic Maine.

Have you been to the New England Outdoor Center before, either as a guest or for a day visit? It’s a beautiful setting and is so much fun. We’ve got lots of information on what you’ll find here at NEOC and things to do both on property and around Baxter State Park. We love this part of Maine, so if you have any additional questions please leave a comment or send us a note so we can share more and help you plan a great trip!

What We Love about Staying at NEOC

I think the big selling point of staying at the New England Outdoor Center is the holistic approach to enjoying the outdoors. From the cabin accommodations to the outdoor dining, the free kayak rentals or the Katahdin Area Trail system, staying at NEOC is all about being in nature. That doesn’t mean you need to come all the way up here to Millinocket and be on the go breaking a sweat the whole time, but that if you want to be active or just relax, NEOC has lots of ways to enjoy the experience.

If kayaking on the still, clear lake wasn’t enough, the moment I really let go and just fell in love with being at the New England Outdoor Center was when I checked the webcam before going to bed and I saw the Northern Lights going. I headed out to the dock immediately and enjoyed two hours of one of the most spectacular Aurora Borealis displays I’ve ever seen. And wouldn’t you know it, we actually had beautifully clear skies two nights and got to watch the Aurora over Mount Katahdin and Millinocket Lake twice!

If you’re not a night owl and just want to catch the sunset, both restaurants have patios and are open for dinner, or you can just wander the property at twilight and enjoy the vibes at NEOC as the colors of the sky change and Mount Katahdin starts to glow. It’s just the most perfect environment for a Maine escape.

New England Outdoor Center Accommodations

Cabins at the New England Outdoor Center range from small and vintage to multiple bedrooms and able to accommodate more than 10 people. The Twin Pines neighborhood of cabins are freshly renovated and beautiful set into the woods with short paths to the lake. The main NEOC lodge area cabins are smaller and more of “camp” like many people think of when they picture coming up to Millinocket in the summer. They’re still nice, but not quite as updated and fancy as the Twin Pines cabins.

We stayed in the Raven Cabin and it was really lovely. A gas fireplace, full kitchen and dinning room, two bedrooms and two bathrooms made it a wonderful option for both relaxing during the day between activities and having our own space at the end of the day’s adventures. I love when we travel and we can be together… apart. It really helps us maintain a relaxed peace for our trips. Even though the cabins are so nice and spacious, I would still consider staying at NEOC a glamping experience.

Amenities at New England Outdoor Center

The cabins at the New England Outdoor Center are nicely stocked with the house-style supplies you might need during your stay: dishes, cookware, cutlery, and everything else you’d expect in a basic kitchen, as well as a well stocked coffee station. There are plenty of towels and blankets, and the cabins are quite comfortable. When you’re out and about the property, you’ll find a gift shop at both the NEOC lodge building and at the Knife’s Edge Brewing building (where you rent mountain bikes). They also have some small convenience items, but if you need something more you can drive fifteen minutes into Millinocket to the Hanaford (grocery store).

Activities at the New England Outdoor Center

I don’t know about you, but what I was most excited about upon getting a reservation at NEOC was access to kayaking and biking right from our camp. For kayaking, you just need to stop by the front desk and sign a waiver, then you’re free to head to the kayak beach and choose your gear. They have lots of kayaks, different size paddles and plenty of PFDs for all sizes. An easy and beautiful kayaking route is to launch and head to the right (east) along the coves and through the rock islands. It’s so very still and beautiful, and there are even some good swimming spots if you’re an experienced kayaker who knows how to get in and out of your boat safely.

Another great outdoor activity here at NEOC is the Katahdin Area Trail System (KAT). In the winter time the KAT system is mainly used for cross country skiing, but in the summer it’s a network of mountain bike trails. There are some beginner level routes and some really difficult, steep trails that you need to be in good shape and full of energy for. There are maps posted throughout the trail system, so you should be able to figure out what route is best for you. If you are coming to NEOC without your own bikes, you can rent fat tire mountain bikes here at the Knife’s Edge Brewing building, which then is a great launch into the KAT network of trails.

Another great activity we really enjoyed at the New England Outdoor Center was doing a wildlife safari. They have two options for going on a wildlife tour through NEOC: van tour or pontoon boat. Your guide will work with you to plan the best possible experience with the most likely wildlife sightings. The best times of year to see moose are in the spring just after the thaw and autumn, typically starting in early October when the rut begins. For the van tour, you’ll go all around the Millinocket area and into Baxter State Park looking for moose, bear, foxes and more. For the pontoon boat wildlife safari you’ll leave from the main NEOC lodge area and head across the lake to the quiet stream areas flowing from Mount Katahdin. Shallow ponds and lake shore areas are ideal for spotting moose, bears, loons, bald eagles and more. And being on the lake with Katahdin looming in the distance is just beautiful.

Dining at NEOC – Two Restaurants

The two restaurants at the New England Outdoor Center are called the River Drivers Grill and Knife’s Edge Brewing. River Drivers is in reference to the nearby Penobscot River that lumber from the mountains would be floated down to the old mill in Millinocket. The menu here ranges from steaks and salmon to sandwiches and beautiful salads. I enjoyed the single best fried chicken sandwich I’ve ever had here, with a pickle batter and house made pickles. Delicious.

The other restaurant is Knife’s Edge Brewing, in reference to the thin, steep ridge which is one of the most challenging routes for those climbing Mount Katahdin. Knife’s Edge has some wonderful beers and ciders, but everyone really comes here for the woodfired pizzas. Standards and interesting, creative takes make it a wonderful spot for lunch or dinner. I have to say it does indeed rival American Flatbread in Camden for the best woodfired pizza I’ve had in Maine.

Getting to the New England Outdoor Center

Millinocket, where the New England Outdoor Center is located, isn’t close to anything really. It’s an hour and a half drive from Bangor, a two and a half hour drive from Bar Harbor, and a three and a half hour drive from Portland. It’s worth it though! And if you’re doing a fall road trip through Maine, you’ll love the beautiful fall colors and farm stops you can make along the way. Be sure to stop at the grocery store in Millinocket before you arrive at NEOC so you will have snacks and meals for hiking and picnic days while you’re here.

Each cabin at the New England Outdoor Center has its own parking so you don’t need to worry about parking far from your accommodations. Parking is included and you don’t need any identification for your vehicle.

New England Outdoor Center Operating Info

If you’d like to go ahead and book a stay here at NEOC, below you’ll find all the info for reaching the property, if you want to inquire for more information or group stays, and booking links if you want to secure your accommodations now.

• Seasonality, check-in/check-out times: year round, services and availability varies throughout the year.
• Property website: NEOC.com
• Property phone number: 207-723-5438
• Check-in address: 200 Katahdin View Drive, Millinocket, ME 04462

More Things to do in the Highlands of Maine

The Highlands of Maine stretch from Bangor and sprawl to the north and west following the rise of the Appalachians. There are lots of small towns and state parks, and some of the most beautiful sights in Maine. I know that most people think of coastal Maine and its lighthouses when they think of what they’ll see when they come for a visit, but the Highlands are really the playground of Mainers. This region is why Maine is called “Vacationland” and you’ll see why when you come for a visit.

And you cannot forget that the Highlands is an epic winter playground too, with destinations like Sunday River, Saddleback and Sugarloaf. In winter you’ve got downhill and Nordic skiing, and in summer it’s all about hiking and fishing. During fall this is where you come for leaf peeping and to look for moose and other Maine wildlife.

Here are some great ideas for ways to enjoy the Highlands of Maine.

Where to Stay in the Highlands

Depending on the season you’re visiting the Highlands, you will have different options for where to stay. If you’re planning on climbing Mount Katahdin or doing a portion of the Appalachian Trail, Millinocket is a great place to be based. For other Appalachian Trail launch points you can find fun places to stay in Eustace, the Carrabassett Valley, and Rangely. Another amazing summertime destination is Greenville and Moosehead Lake.

For skiing you can stay in Newry or Hanover (for Sunday River), Rangely or Phillips (for Saddleback), or Carrabassett Valley for Sugarloaf. You’ll find lots of cross country / Nordic skiing all over, but the Katahdin Area Trails are great for it!