FAQs
Your cell phone is only a camera here... there is no cell coverage, and no wifi in the woods...but we charge it for you!
What do your prices include?
They include a private waterfront guest cabin with full bath and porch over looking the lake. Our main lodge serves three meals a day with waitress service to your private table. The lodge also has a fine library, comfortable chairs, and a field-stone fireplace. Lunches will be packed for you if you plan to spend the day out on the trail. Canoes and kayaks are free (boats and motors are available for an additional fee). You might want to add a FLY-OUT, which gives you more opportunity to see our area and discover even more remote areas. Your cabin is cleaned daily.
Should I hire a guide?
Our Professional Maine Guides have accumulated over a hundred years' experience in the woods and waters around Munsungan Lake and will ensure you the best chance at catching that trophy fish, Bagging a big bear, seeing that monster moose, limiting out on grouse, or just having a great time in the woods of Maine. Our guides will really teach you a lot about our area. They are full of wisdom and stories and keep the day interesting. A Bradford Guide is a must for fly fishermen seeking wild brook trout, whether they be experienced casters or new to the sport. The secrets of the Munsungan Salmon will open up to those taking a guide on the lake for the day, as many will attest to. Most of our return guests have the same guide for their whole stay, year after year. It becomes part of their trip, and Bradford Camps would not be the same without them. They can cook you a noon meal out on the trail, and make sure you get back to your cabin at night! The guided day is catered to your desires. Its a great learning day for you and would be a highlight of your trip. LINK to GUIDES
- Guides for first time fishermen this is really a must. Plus it's lots of fun. The guide comes with all equipment, saving you the cost of boat and motor, and can take you out on the lake to catch salmon and also teach you how to fly fish.
- Guides for the experienced fisherman you have the luxury of being taken to where the fishing is best for that time of year and the weather of the day. He will also man the boat and anchors, etc. giving you more time to concentrate on fishing. Fly fishermen almost without fail will require a guide to get to the right ponds at the right time of year, in the right spots with the right flies. The guide will often turn a potentially frustrating fishing vacation into a "best week of fishing in my life."
- Hunters new to our woods will benefit from a guide for the obvious reasons of knowing where the game are and how best to get to them. Grouse hunters have the benefit of getting to known good covers, one after the other, for wild birds. Bear hunters get the experience a guide has to make sure no mistakes are made. Our moose hunts are exclusively guided, for many good reasons. All in all, a guide lives each summer in our woods and during that time reads the movements and activities of game for the fall hunters so that a lot of the "homework" is done by the time the hunter arrives.
- Vacationers can have a great day with a guide on the Allagash River, fishing the lake or fly fishing a pond, moose watching, learning woods skills, or having a cookout in the woods in the footsteps of Thoreau.
Is it a good vacation for children?
Bradford Camps is a great place to bring kids. Overlapping families allow the kids to make new friendships that last year after year. Activities for families include fishing, canoeing, hiking, swimming, horseshoes, badminton as well as rainy-day games in the lodge. Our dock will provide a "fish on each cast" for the young angler. Our shooting range is a great place to teach young teenagers about the safety, etiquette, and enjoyment of firearms, and we can arrange for a short safety course with supervision at the range using our .22 cal rifle. Another interesting experience is to take our map, compass, and GPS course.
We offer reduced family RATES and we recommend July and August for kids. LINK to Family Vacations
What Should I Bring?
Since we provide all conveniences, you need only pack your clothing, sporting gear and personal items. Fishermen will usually bring their own fishing gear. If you are hiring a guide, he will provide all the gear necessary for fishing the lake. If you want to try fly fishing, we have rental gear available for you You are welcome to bring your own bar and we will provide lake ice for your cooler. We do not have a liquor license, guests are welcome to BYOB - beer wine booze soda.
**Please be sure to include: Rain gear, hat, boots, personal medications, sunscreen, flashlight, and clothing appropriate for the season. And maybe that book you have wanted to dive into!
Where is the Bradford Camps?
We are located in the Allagash region of Northwestern Maine, just north of Baxter State Park, in Township T8 R10. We are surrounded by over 3 million acres of wild forest known as the North Maine Woods. We are the only camps on 1500 acre Munsungun Lake; the headwaters of the Aroostook watershed. The camps are accessible by driving in two wheel drive vehicles as well as by floatplane. Lat N46 23'27" W69 00'10" See below and on home page for Bradford Location.
Do you have electricity in the cabins?
Your private cabin has gas lights made beds, and full bathrooms, but not electricity. You can charge your camera and other devices in the lodge during the day. The generator runs from about 6:30 am till 8pm.
Do you have Phone or Data service available?
Bradford Camps has only a satellite base telephone available during the day. Texting and online data is NOT available. Your Cellular phone will not work while you are driving to Bradford Camps, or while you are at camp (and this is a good thing...). Cost for use of our satellite phone is $1/minute, you are welcome to use it anytime.
Do you have internet service available?
No, there is not (again, a good thing...). Its what we call "DOT CALM". However we can provide limited emergency notices to you each evening sent from the outside world, if they are sent to us by email to maine@bradfordcamps.com.
How do I reach Bradford Camps?
We can be reached via phone, email, or U.S. mail.
Year 'round 207-433-0660
E-mail: maine@bradfordcamps.com
regular mail (May-October):
Bradford Camps
P.O. Box 729
Ashland, Maine 04732
regular mail (Novenber - April)
Bradford Camps
20 Trafton Lane
Kittery, MAINE 03904
Can I bring my dog?
October bird season is our only "dog time". In October we require that all dogs be vaccinated against kennel cough. We also require that dogs are kept off our beds, and ask that you help remove doggie doodie from the yard where we all walk. We love dogs and look forward to meeting them all in October!
How far in advance do I need to reserve?
Right now is a good time! We will take reservations anytime that we have availability, up to the last minute. However to assure your space at Bradford you should make your deposit as soon as you can. Booking early will assure your desired dates. If you plan to hire a guide then you should book ASAP to assure their availability, as well as getting the right guide to match your desires. Many guests book their trip in January, February and March to reserve their favorite cabin and guide. Booking before the end of the year will hold the previous year's lodging rates. Deposits are non-refundable within 60 days of planned arrival.
What are the cabins like?
The log cabins are all fully furnished and include made beds, towels, glasses, soap, etc, just like any modern hotel room. They are all waterfront, and have porches with chairs to enjoy the cool breezes of the summer and evening sunsets. The cabins do NOT have electricity, they are lit in the evenings with propane wall fixtures that provide a pleasing soft glow. Guests who like to read at night in bed may want to bring a headlamp or other flashlight. In general, flashlights are helpful. The cabins also do not have clocks (and most guests LIKE it that way!) but you might want to bring a portable bedside clock also. We will be happy to try to fill special needs and forgotten items as best we can. (BTW, our main lodge does have electricity to charge your cameras.)
