Ghost Towns in Maine | 9 Haunted Places to Explore This Fall (2025 Guide)
- Gerry Caron
- Oct 6
- 6 min read
👻 Ghost Towns in Maine: Explore Maine’s Forgotten Towns, Haunted Legends & Hidden History
Step off the beaten path this fall and uncover the mysterious, spine-tingling side of Vacationland. While Maine is famed for its lighthouses, lobster, and lakes, it also hides a hauntingly beautiful secret — ghost towns in Maine scattered across its forests, rivers, and forgotten roads.
Each of these once-bustling communities tells a tale of ambition, industry, and inevitable change — from sunken villages beneath serene lakes to isolated hamlets overtaken by wilderness. Whether you’re chasing Maine’s haunted history or planning a Halloween road trip unlike any other, these destinations deliver the perfect blend of mystery, history, and adventure.
Get ready to experience the ghost towns of Maine — and walk where history whispers.
1. Fort William Henry — Bristol, Maine
🕯️ Colonial History Meets Coastal Mystery
Perched above Pemaquid Harbor in Bristol, Fort William Henry stands as one of Maine’s most storied historic sites. Built in 1692 and destroyed twice during colonial conflicts, this stone fortress has witnessed centuries of battle, rebuilding, and legend.
Today, visitors can explore the reconstructed fort, stroll the ramparts, and even sense the lingering presence of soldiers long gone. Each October, candlelight tours and ghost walks invite brave souls to experience Maine’s early history with a supernatural twist.
📍 Pemaquid Point Road, Bristol, ME
🔗 Learn More at Fort William Henry Museum
2. Riceville — Hancock County
🌲 The Forest Reclaims Its Own
Hidden deep in the Maine woods lies Riceville, a forgotten 1800s mill town once buzzing with loggers and families. Fires, harsh winters, and shifting industries drove residents away — leaving only cellar holes, stone foundations, and nature’s quiet takeover.
For adventurous explorers, Riceville is a real-life time capsule of Maine’s industrial past, where every moss-covered wall whispers stories of hard work and survival.
📍 Hancock County (near Amherst)
3. Perkins Township (Swan Island) — Kennebec River
🦆 Nature & History Collide on a Haunted Island
In the middle of the Kennebec River between Richmond and Dresden sits Swan Island, once the thriving town of Perkins. Abandoned in the 1940s, it’s now part of Maine’s Wildlife Management Area. Visitors can paddle or ferry across, wander past historic homes, and camp under the stars surrounded by deer, eagles, and echoes of the past.
This island is one of Maine’s most accessible ghost towns — and a hauntingly peaceful fall getaway.
📍 Access via Richmond, ME
4. Freeman — Franklin County
🌾 The Town That Time Forgot
Freeman was once a humble farming community in the Maine Highlands. Over time, families left in search of opportunity, leaving behind cellar holes and the fading outlines of stone walls. Visiting Freeman today feels like walking into a forgotten painting — silent, serene, and utterly still.
📍 Near Kingfield, Franklin County
5. Flagstaff — Somerset County
💧 Maine’s Submerged Ghost Town
In 1950, the Dead River Valley was flooded to create Flagstaff Lake, submerging the entire village of Flagstaff beneath the waves. Once home to sawmills, farms, and a vibrant community, the town now sleeps underwater — a ghost town preserved by time.
When water levels drop, traces of roads and building foundations appear like lost relics from another world. Nearby scenic lookouts make it a must-visit stop for photographers and history buffs exploring Maine’s western mountains.
📍 Flagstaff Lake, near Eustis & Stratton
6. Askwith (Tarrantine) — Piscataquis County
🚂 Forgotten by the Rails
Once a stop along the Bangor & Aroostook Railroad, Askwith was a logging settlement north of Greenville. As industry shifted and rail lines disappeared, the town slowly vanished. Today, only the name “Tarrantine” remains — a haunting reminder of Maine’s ever-changing wilderness economy.
📍 Between Rockwood and Greenville, ME
7. Davidson — Near Stacyville
🪓 Echoes of the Lumber Era
In its heyday, Davidson was a thriving lumber town complete with sawmills, homes, and a clothespin factory. When the logging industry declined, so did the town — leaving eerie remnants of machinery and ruins deep in the forest.
It’s a hauntingly quiet place that tells the story of Maine’s rugged working past.
📍 North of Stacyville, ME
8. Madrid — Franklin County
⛏️ Mining Dreams Gone Quiet
The ghost town of Madrid once pulsed with life during Maine’s mining boom. By the 20th century, the last miners had left, and nature crept back in. Visitors can still find old mining shafts and crumbling structures, perfect for explorers who crave mystery and Maine history blended into one.
📍 Franklin County, near Rangeley
9. Ligonia Village — South Portland
🏭 The Industrial Ghost Beneath the City
Nestled within modern-day South Portland, Ligonia Village was once a bustling 19th-century industrial neighborhood. Though it’s mostly been absorbed into the city, hints of its independent past remain in old street layouts and stonework.
It’s proof that even in Maine’s busier areas, echoes of the past are never far away.
📍 South Portland, ME
👻 Why Visit Maine’s Ghost Towns This Fall?
🍂 Seasonal Magic: Crisp air, fiery foliage, and foggy mornings create the perfect haunted atmosphere.
🏚️ Historical Depth: Discover the forgotten industries and communities that shaped Maine’s character.
📸 Epic Photo Ops: Old cemeteries, submerged ruins, mossy walls, and scenic lakes — the stuff of autumn postcards.
🚗 Adventure Road Trip: Pair these sites with nearby attractions like Flagstaff Lake trails, Pemaquid Point Lighthouse, and the Kennebec River Corridor.
🗺️ Plan Your Maine Ghost Town Adventure
Whether you’re a historian, photographer, or Halloween thrill-seeker, Maine’s ghost towns offer endless exploration and storytelling potential.
🔗 Resources & Contacts:
📅 Best Time to Visit: Late September through early November
📍 Where: From the coast to the western mountains — Bristol, Franklin County, Piscataquis, and beyond
What to Do in the Moosehead Lake Region & Beyond: Your Complete Guide to Outdoor Adventure & Local Attractions
Planning a trip to the Moosehead Lake region in Maine? You're in for an unforgettable experience packed with adventure, breathtaking natural beauty, and cozy lodging options. From high-adrenaline ATV trails to peaceful paddles on glassy waters, the Moosehead Lake area is a four-season playground perfect for outdoor lovers, families, and anyone looking to unplug and explore.
Want more insider tips? Discover top recommendations at Moose River Lookout, your go-to resource for:
🛶 Boating & paddling routes
🎣 Fishing hotspots
🏕️ Wilderness camping sites
🥾 Trail maps for hiking & nature walks
🍽️ Local dining & shopping recommendations
Stay updated with the latest happenings and news in the Moosehead Lake region. Learn more about what to do and where to go in the Moosehead Lake area and beyond.
🏡 Where to Stay: Moose River Lookout – Your Basecamp for Adventure
Located in Rockwood, Maine, Moose River Lookout is the ultimate vacation home rental for adventurers and nature lovers alike. Nestled on the Moose River, this cozy home features:
Private Dock with access to Moosehead Lake
3 Bedrooms | 2 Baths | Sleeps 7
Free WiFi & TV
Backup Generator
Easy driveway access for trailers & ATVs
Direct access to ITS66 Snowmobile Trails
Year-round availability for summer AND winter sports
Whether you're hiking Blue Ridge, casting a line in the river, or hitting the snowmobile trails—Moose River Lookout is where your Maine vacation begins.
Ultimate Outdoor Getaway
With direct backyard access to Maine's Interconnected Trail System (ITS66) and a private dock on the river, adventure awaits right outside your door. Whether you're into hiking, golfing, boating, fishing, hunting, skiing, or snowmobiling, you'll find it all just steps away from our doorstep.
Book Your Stay
Experience the ultimate outdoor getaway in the heart of Maine's natural beauty. For inquiries or to make a reservation, please don't hesitate to contact us. We look forward to welcoming you to Moose River Lookout, lodging Rockwood Maine a Vacation Home Rental, on Moose River with access to Moosehead Lake and Mt. Kineo!
Phone: 800-544-0300
Email: mooseriverlookout@gmail.com
Address: 4054 Rockwood Rd Rockwood, ME 04478
Website: Moose River Lookout
