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Maine | North-central Maine / Penobscot County

Penobscot RiverLincoln Boat Launch to Howland Boat Launch at Tannery Park

About 11.6 river miles from Lincoln (river mile 28) to Howland at Tannery Park (mile 39.6), but the route is interrupted by West Enfield Dam. The trail directs paddlers to take out at Merrill Brook (mile 38.2), arrange a land portage, and relaunch at Howland; do not plan this as one continuous paddle.

Route location

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Plan this route

DistanceAbout 11.6 river miles
DifficultyModerate
Typical timeStaged trip with a mandatory land transfer around West Enfield Dam
ShuttleCar shuttle
A rocky Maine freshwater shoreline framed by autumn forest.
Route photoMaine DACF open-water and shoreline context; exact reach not claimedPhoto by Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry

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This route is documented for planning, but does not receive a Paddle Today score.
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Route overview

Trip details

Access rules, camping, seasonal conditions and trip length.

Distance, difficulty, rules and camping
On-water distanceAbout 11.6 river milesLincoln Boat Launch to Howland Boat Launch at Tannery Park
DifficultymoderateMoving-water or open-water route requiring a complete float plan, conservative turnaround, and confirmed launch and take-out conditions.
ShuttleCar shuttleStage the take-out vehicle first, then return to the put-in. Confirm rural road conditions, parking, and vehicle security before launch.
PermitsCheck posted rulesFollow Maine boating, PFD, AIS, parking, land-management, and posted access rules; confirm any current local or utility restrictions.
CampingOptions nearbyUse designated nearby campgrounds or lodging; no informal riverbank camping is assumed.
SeasonMay-OctLate spring through early fall is the practical window; cold water, storms, changing flow, and shoulder-season daylight remain material.

Plan ahead

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Plan

Plan your trip

Launch points, shuttle details, distance, and access notes.

Route logistics

Access and shuttle

About 11.6 river miles from Lincoln (river mile 28) to Howland at Tannery Park (mile 39.6), but the route is interrupted by West Enfield Dam. The trail directs paddlers to take out at Merrill Brook (mile 38.2), arrange a land portage, and relaunch at Howland; do not plan this as one continuous paddle.

Access map

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Start

Put-in

Lincoln Boat Launch
Open mapDirections to put-in

The trail identifies Merrill Brook at river mile 38.2 as the take-out above West Enfield Dam. Arrange a legal land transfer and relaunch at Howland; do not attempt to paddle through the dam.

Finish

Take-out

Howland Boat Launch at Tannery Park
Open mapDirections to take-out

Confirm both launch facilities, parking, carry routes, and current access notices before travel.

Road shuttle

Driving shuttle routeShuttle in Apple MapsOpenStreetMap
Access notes and hazards

Access caveats

  • The trail identifies Merrill Brook at river mile 38.2 as the take-out above West Enfield Dam. Arrange a legal land transfer and relaunch at Howland; do not attempt to paddle through the dam.
  • Confirm both launch facilities, parking, carry routes, and current access notices before travel.

Watch for

  • mandatory take-out above West Enfield Dam and the separate Howland relaunch
  • swift water, shallow ledges, wood, and changing conditions
  • daylight and a vehicle/shuttle plan for the portage

Plan this paddle

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Conditions

Water levels, gauge history, and hourly forecast

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Gauge detail

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Gauge

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Route gallery

Photos

Check each caption: some photos show the surrounding area rather than this exact trip.

A Maine stream corridor bordered by forest.
Maine stream context; exact route not claimedPhoto by Scott Craig / U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service image; public domain; exact route not claimed

Sources

Data and sources

Read the access and hazard notes and check the linked guides. We do not issue a daily score for this trip.

NotesWhat to know before you go

These notes cover the access details, route quirks, and source caveats most likely to matter once you get there.

  • Named route and endpointsLincoln Boat Launch to Howland Boat Launch at Tannery Park; about 11.6 miles

    The Penobscot River Paddling Trail lists Lincoln at river mile 28, Merrill Brook at 38.2 as the West Enfield Dam portage take-out, and Howland/Tannery Park at mile 39.6. Its day-trip guide describes the South Lincoln-to-Merrill Brook section and separately begins the downstream trip at Howland. The 11.6 figure is the river-mile corridor span across the dam interruption. USGS 01034500 is downstream proxy context only.

    Source

  • Live gauge postureUSGS 01034500, Penobscot River at West Enfield, ME

    Proxy station context: check which river and reach the station measures. Local tributaries, releases, ice effects, and reach-specific hydraulics can differ materially.

    Source

  • Access controlsNamed public, state, municipal, or managed access only

    Maine launch records provide the access inventory; exact carry paths, parking, fees, closures, and shoreline condition must be rechecked before launch.

    Source

  • Camping classificationnearby_basecamp

    Use designated nearby campgrounds or lodging; no informal riverbank camping is assumed.

    Source

  • Safety postureReviewed planning route

    Wear a properly fitted PFD continuously, file a float plan, and carry communication and rescue equipment appropriate to the remoteness of the reach. Check the USGS trend, weather, water temperature, debris, ice effects, and same-day access notices. A favorable gauge number never overrides visual conditions.

  • Overlap decisionDistinct access-to-access itinerary retained

    The endpoint pair, trip length, or operational setting is materially different from the other Maine routes in this batch.

Verify it yourselfCheck the source links

Use these links to double-check the gauge, route details, and access notes before you head out.

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Keep exploring

More routes to check next

Compare another stretch on this river, or explore different rivers within 75 straight-line miles.

More in Maine

All 84 routes
Maine route guideBrowse every tracked Maine route.North-central Maine / Penobscot CountyJump to routes in this region.

More on Penobscot River

All 17
Bangor landing facility to Hampden public accessLower Penobscot Valley / Penobscot CountyModerate · About 9 river milesBangor landing facility to Verona public accessLower Penobscot Valley / Penobscot and Hancock CountiesModerate · About 17 river milesBrewer municipal public access to Bangor landing facilityGreater Bangor / Penobscot CountyModerate · About 5 river milesEddington north public access to Orrington public accessLower Penobscot Valley / Penobscot and Hancock CountiesModerate · About 11 river miles

Nearby routes within 75 miles

Piscataquis RiverMedford public access to Howland Piscataquis access · about 14 straight-line mi awayModerate · About 18 river milesPiscataquis RiverDover-Foxcroft carry-in to Medford public access · about 31 straight-line mi awayModerate · About 19 river milesSebec LakeDover-Foxcroft lake access to Sebec public access · about 33 straight-line mi awayModerate · About 12 river milesLake OnawaDIFW launch loop · about 39 straight-line mi awayEasy · About 8 river miles

Quick answers

Penobscot River paddling FAQ

What water level is best for the Lincoln Boat Launch to Howland Boat Launch at Tannery Park route on the Penobscot River?

This planning route has no live Paddle Today score. Review the linked water-level sources, current access notices and route-specific hazards before travel.

Where does the Lincoln Boat Launch to Howland Boat Launch at Tannery Park route on the Penobscot River start and end?

This route starts at Lincoln Boat Launch and ends at Howland Boat Launch at Tannery Park, about 11.6 river miles on the water.

Is the Lincoln Boat Launch to Howland Boat Launch at Tannery Park route on the Penobscot River suitable for beginners?

This is listed as a moderate route. Review the difficulty notes, hazards and current access conditions against your group's skills. No live score assesses this trip.

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