Unique, Special, Authentic Maine Woods Experience! Enjoy this rustic bunkhouse located just steps off the shore of one of Maine's cleanest spring-fed lakes. Good for couples, families, large groups, retreats and more.
Tune in to the nature of the Great North Woods to enjoy hiking, boating, fishing (salmon, trout and bass), swimming, kayaking, mushroom hunting and gorgeous sunsets.
Full kitchen, living room, upstairs bedroom sleeps 8, large deck/terrace leads right down to the water.
The space
Rare experience to be in "Unorganized Territory" of Maine, on a crystal clear lake that has limited development (it's now part of a conservation easement).
The Bunkhouse is owned by The BARKA Foundation, a 501c3 charitable organization that drills wells, constructs latrines, and empowers women and girls in Burkina Faso, West Africa. Funds from the rental of the Bunkhouse go directly to helping BARKA fulfill its mission! Check out more information at https://barkafoundation.org.
Guest access
Brand new barbecue grill available on the deck overlooking the lake, free parking, and we have 2 kayaks and 1 paddleboard for rent (if you need more you can also rent at the Ski Rack in Bangor). This is an internet free zone (there is no wifi, so unplug and reconnect to nature!), however you may be able to access a wireless signal on our signal booster (Verizon and US cellular work best providing 1-3 bars, ATT not so much).
A chiminea is available for safe outdoor fires, however we ask that you use extreme fire saftey at all times because we live in an area vulnerable to forest fire (the ground is largely peat and fire can spread underground).
Other things to note:
Please note that the bunkhouse does not have a bathroom however comes equipped with a clean and comfortable outhouse. There is also a shower stall to take a bucket shower:
COMPOSTING TOILET
The outhouse is neat and clean. There should be ample toilet paper, paper towel, hand sanitizer, and a working light in the outhouse. Composting humanure is a profound thing to do that can seriously benefit the planet- turning your own waste into a source of fuel and nourishment for plants. In fact, this takes the whole idea of 'dealing with your own shit' to a new level-- and quite a literal one too! ;-)
The bunkhouse has cold lake water to the kitchen sink and no hot water heater. However we provide a large pot to heat water up for bucket showers which are really fun and has a way of raising your water consciousness!
SMOKING
There is no smoking in the bunkhouse.
POWER
Power is supplied through batteries charged by solar panels. We ask all guests to conserve power and turn lights off when not being used.
WIFI
There is no wifi, however Verizon and US Cellular give a 1-2 bar signal; ATT doesn't fare as well here. We have a signal booster in the house which might help provide another bar or two. That said, try unplugging while you're here!
OUTDOOR FIRES
The bunkhouse has a chiminea for safe outdoor fires. The area is very prone to forest fire so we ask that everyone use extreme caution and have acute awareness around fire safety. We have wood available for your use.
KAYAKS/PADDLEBOARDS
We have two kayaks and 1 paddleboard for rent.
Prices:
Kayak: $25/day
Paddleboard: $35/day
If you would like to make use of the kayaks and/or paddleboard you must sign a release form and take responsibility for their care. Be advised that weather conditions can change rapidly and there is often wind which can make kayaking and paddleboarding challenging (we don't recommend using them with winds above 6mph unless you are experienced).
About the Location
We are part of a small community of camp owners on the lake.
The lake is roughly 2 miles by 1 mile.
We simply ask that you be respectful and conscientious at all times.
Please stay within the boundaries of the Bunkhouse property.
There is a short path to our camp if you need to come and get us for any reason or to access the paddleboat or kayak.
Getting around
We will provide driving directions to this remote location. Once you're here, you won't want to go anywhere. There are some trails through the woods that we can direct you to if you want to go for a walk, and believe it or not there is a popular restaurant only a mile away on Nicatous Lake that has great fish and chips and other friend delectables. It's called Jack's Snack Shack and is quite the lunch or dinner destination (people come from far and wide on their ATVs to eat here). Just make sure they're open because their hours can be unpredictable depending on the season. You can find more information about Jack's here: https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g40545-d5210335-Reviews-Jack_s_Snack_Shack-Burlington_Maine.html
