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Visiting Maine’s B-52 Crash Site Memorial: A Powerful Hike into History Near Moosehead Lake

  • Writer: Gerry Caron
    Gerry Caron
  • Aug 7, 2025
  • 4 min read


Visiting Maine’s B-52 Crash Site Memorial: A Powerful Hike into History Near Moosehead Lake

Visiting Maine’s B-52 Crash Site Memorial - A Must-Visit Site for ATV Riders, Hikers & Snowmobilers in the Moosehead Lake Region

Deep in the heart of Maine’s Moosehead Lake Region lies one of the most moving and historic landmarks in the state—the B-52 Stratofortress Crash Site Memorial on Elephant Mountain, just outside Greenville, Maine. This solemn, forested site honors the lives lost in a 1963 military plane crash and is a powerful stop for adventurers and history buffs alike.


Whether you're riding ATVs, snowmobiling, or hiking, this short 0.4-mile trail leads you through wreckage and memorial markers that tell a sobering Cold War-era story about Maine’s B-52 Crash Site Memorial.


The 1963 B-52 Crash: A Maine Cold War Tragedy

On January 24, 1963, a U.S. Air Force B-52C Stratofortress departed from Westover Air Force Base in Massachusetts for a low-level radar test mission. As the aircraft approached the mountains of western Maine, it encountered extreme turbulence, which caused the vertical stabilizer to shear off, rendering the bomber uncontrollable.


Of the nine crew members, only two survived:

  • Lt. Col. Dante E. Bulli (pilot), who parachuted and endured a night in sub-zero temperatures.

  • Capt. Gerald J. Adler (navigator), the only known person to survive an aircraft ejection without a functioning parachute, landing upright in the snow with critical injuries.


The wreckage remains scattered across the forest floor, a poignant reminder of the tragedy and a tribute to the seven lives lost.


What You’ll See on the Trail

Located just 15 minutes from downtown Greenville, the memorial is accessible via Prong Pond Road off Lily Bay Road. Visitors follow a well-marked trail into the woods, immediately greeted by fragments of the aircraft.


As you walk deeper into the forest, you’ll discover:

  • Large, twisted metal debris and aircraft fragments.

  • A black Monson slate memorial commemorating the crash.

  • Signs detailing the history of the event.

  • A still and reverent atmosphere beneath towering pines.


NOTE: The site is protected and designated as a no-harvest zone by the landowner, Weyerhaeuser. Visitors are urged to leave the wreckage untouched out of respect.


How to Get There

📍 Trailhead Coordinates:View on Google Maps

From Greenville, take Lily Bay Road and look for the small sign for Prong Pond Road. The rugged gravel road continues for about 8 miles to the site. Accessible by:

  • ATV (in season)

  • Snowmobile (via trail system)

  • Truck or SUV (in dry conditions)


Trail Status Alerts: Visit Moosehead Riders Snowmobile Club or call (207) 695‑2900 for updates on accessibility and annual memorial events.


Plan Your Trip to the Moosehead Lake Region

Make the B-52 site part of a larger adventure in Greenville! Moosehead Lake is a four-season destination filled with:


  • ATV & Snowmobile Trails

  • Hiking & Waterfalls

  • Moose Safaris

  • Lakefront Lodging

  • Scenic Flights & Boating


Lodging Nearby:

  • The Lodge at Moosehead Lake

  • Leisure Life Resort

  • Kineo View Lodge

  • Moose River Lookout


Final Thoughts

A visit to the B-52 Crash Memorial Site on Elephant Mountain is both moving and unforgettable. Whether you go to honor history, explore the backcountry trails of Maine, or simply to witness a hidden chapter of America’s past, this site deserves a spot on your Moosehead Region itinerary.


Quick Info Recap:

🗺️ Location: Elephant Mountain, 8 miles east of Greenville, ME

🚶 Trail: 0.4 miles round trip, easy terrain

🎿 Activities: Hiking, snowmobiling, ATV riding

🕰️ Best Time to Visit: Late spring through fall (ATV/hike); winter (snowmobile)

📞 Contact: Moosehead Riders Snowmobile Club | (207) 695‑2900

📍 GPS Directions: B-52 Crash Site Trail


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!


Looking at a moose at the top of Mt Kineo from Moose River









This solemn, forested site honors the lives lost in a 1963 military plane crash and is a powerful stop for adventurers and history buffs alike.


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