How You Can Help By joining the Conservancy today, you will be welcomed into a family of dedicated individuals committed to saving the last great places on Earth. DLWA Visitor Map Download a full-sized map of Debsconeag Lakes Wilderness Area (.pdf, 579 KB), and our Visitor Guide (.pdf, 644 KB). Debsconeag Fast Facts Location: Near Millinocket, Maine Size: 46,271 acres Hours: Dawn to dusk with camping      permitted in designated areas.

Nestled in the shadow of Mount Katahdin, just south of Baxter State Park, The Nature Conservancy’s Debsconeag Lakes Wilderness Area (DLWA) is a vital link in nearly 500,000 acres of contiguous conservation land.

Debsconeag means "carrying place," named by native people for the portage sites where they carried their birchbark canoes around rapids and waterfalls. The DLWA contains the highest concentration of pristine, remote ponds in New England, as well as thousands of acres of mature forests.

Ecological Reserves

Except for some areas around pre-existing camp lots the DLWA is managed as an ecological reserve. Ecological reserves are areas set aside for conservation and study of Maine’s ecosystems. Ideally, reserves are large enough to withstand storms, diseases and other natural disturbances and to provide secure habitat for wide-ranging species like moose, fisher, bobcat and pine marten. Ecological reserves are important to scientists studying how nature responds to challenges such as climate change, forest pests and diseases, and airborne pollution.

Learn more about how the Conservancy acquired the DLWA as part of the Katahdin Forest Project.

What You’ll See

Nearly half the forests in the DLWA show no signs of past logging. Trees as old as 300 years have been found in more remote areas. Old, undisturbed forests like these are rich in diversity and complexity. The forest floor is covered with logs and mosses and ancient trees, whether standing or fallen, provide habitat for many woodland creatures.

To date, 215 plant species have been documented in the DLWA. Wildlife inhabiting the property’s rich forests include pine marten, spruce grouse, moose, bobcat, black bear, and boreal chickadees.

The magical lakes for which the DLWA is named are home to lake and brook trout and rare freshwater mussels. Bald Eagles are a common sight along the shoreline of the West Branch Penobscot River. 

Preserve Guidelines

• Hunting and fishing are allowed according to state laws and regulations.
• Vehicles are restricted to designated roads.
• Horses, pets, and other domestic animals are not permitted.
• Fires are allowed by permit only in existing fire rings at designated locations. Use only dead and down wood.
• Do not collect or remove plants or animals.
• Camp only in designated campsites. No reservations or fees required.
• Camping at any one site is limited to a two week maximum stay. 
• Please use the latrines installed at campsites.
• Carry water for washing at least 200 feet away from streams or lakes and use small amounts of biodegradable soap.
• Pack it in, pack it out! Remove all trash and leave your campsite looking better than when you arrived.

Nature picture credits (top to bottom, left to right): © Josh Royte/TNC (Canoeing in the Debsconeags with Mt. Katahdin in the background); © Vicki Nolan (Moose); © Bill Silliker Jr (Aerial view of the Debsconeags).