Buckhorn Camps
Camp Getaway
Buckhorn Camps offers traditional Maine log cabins, located on a seven acre island peninsula. Our cabins are outfitted with private bathrooms, kitchens, wood stoves, and propane lights. Come experience the magic of Buckhorn!
The Hangar
Spend time relaxing in The Hangar, our indoor communal space. You’ll wonder where the time went as you enjoy a beverage overlooking the water.
Katy Wood and Bud Utecht, lodge owners
We purchased Buckhorn Camps in 2020 after dreaming about it for years. Bud has been guiding unofficially since he could walk, and knows the Maine wilderness like the back of his hand. Bud’s Trail Cameras have been quite popular over the years – you can see them on his Facebook page – https://www.facebook.com/gamecameraartistry/ We are so very excited to share Buckhorn with all of you!
FAQ
- Where are the Camps Located?
- Getting Here
- Spring, Summer, Fall Driving Directions
- Winter Directions
Where are the Camps Located?
Buckhorn Camps are located on Jo Mary Island in T4 Indian Purchase Township. Jo -Mary Island has frontage on both Middle and Lower Jo-Mary lakes. The lakes are west of Millinocket in the Katahdin Region.
The camps are only accessible by boat or plane, via the North Maine Woods. There are three million acres of wild forest surrounding us.
Latitude: 45.6548° or 45° 39′ 17.3″ north.
Longitude: -68.9473° or 68° 56′ 50.3″ west
Things to know before you get here
- Your cell will not work in parts of the North Maine Woods. We would suggest taking a screen shot or printing out directions before you leave home!
- The gate fee for entering the North Maine Woods to access Buckhorn Camps is $22 per adult. (This is a one time fee for your stay – not per night). Children are free. Please note – the gate fee is CASH ONLY.
- Be sure to fill up your fuel tank in Milo or Millinocket. There are no fuel services available in the North Maine Woods!
- Please arrive during the daylight, as we are unable to accommodate after dark arrivals
- DO NOT Google directions to Buckhorn Camps. Our camps are on an island in an unorganized territory. Relying on GPS direction past Brownville or Millinocket will surely find yourselves lost in the North Maine Woods.
Spring, Summer, Fall Driving Directions
DRIVING DIRECTIONS FROM BANGOR ME
From Bangor, take I-95 N to exit 199 – the LaGrange Milo exit. Follow 16 N to Milo, then 11 N to Brownville. (The distance from Brownville to Jo Mary Rd is approximately 20 miles.) Continue on 11N until you reach Jo Mary Road. Take a left onto Jo Mary Rd. (Note – the Jo Mary Campground sign will be on the corner of Route 11 and Jo Mary Rd.) It’s approximately 60 miles from the Hogan Road exit in Bangor to Jo Mary Road.
When you arrive, stop at the brown gatehouse, and register to enter the North Maine Woods. There is a fee of $22/per adult to access the North Maine Woods. ($11 to enter and $11 to exit) Please keep in mind that these are logging roads, and they are not paved. The last five miles are slow going! Vehicles shouldn’t experience difficulty coming all the way in, however you might need a car wash after you leave.
From the gate house, follow the road approximately 6 miles until you reach the first Y in road. Bear right at the Y. From the Y, go another 3 miles, and turn right on to an unnamed road. If you see a railroad car on the right hand side of road, turn back. The road to our landing is slightly before the RR car.
Follow this road for 5 miles to the Buckhorn Landing. There will be orange frisbees to mark the way, keep your eyes peeled for them! At the end of the road you will bear left and parking is plentiful across from the landing.
Please text us from the gatehouse after registering. We will meet you at the landing. It takes approximately 30 minutes to reach the landing after you have passed the gatehouse.
DRIVING DIRECTIONS FROM SOUTH OF NEWPORT MAINE
When you arrive, stop at the brown gatehouse, and register to enter the North Maine Woods. There is a fee of $22/per adult to access the North Maine Woods. ($11 to enter and $11 to exit) Please keep in mind that these are logging roads, and they are not paved. The last five miles are slow going! Vehicles shouldn’t experience difficulty coming all the way in, however you might need a car wash after you leave.
From the gate house, follow the road approximately 6 miles until you reach the first Y in road. Bear right at the Y. From the Y, go another 3 miles, and turn right on to an unnamed road. If you see a railroad car on the right hand side of road, turn back. The road to our landing is slightly before the RR car.
Follow this road for 5 miles to the Buckhorn Landing. There will be orange frisbees to mark the way, keep your eyes peeled for them! At the end of the road you will bear left and parking is plentiful across from the landing.
Please text us from the gatehouse after registering. We will meet you at the landing. It takes approximately 30 minutes to reach the landing after you have passed the gatehouse.
DRIVING DIRECTIONS FROM MEDWAY
Upon exiting I-95 in Medway, follow Route 157/Route 11S to Millinocket for approximately 11 miles. After passing through downtown Millinocket, you will take a sharp left hand turn continuing to follow Route 11 south. In a few hundred yards, you will take a right hand turn following route 11 south towards Brownville. Continue to follow Route 11 south to the Jo-Mary Road. (The Jo Mary Campground sign will be on corner of Route 11 and Jo Mary Rd.)
When you arrive, stop at the brown gatehouse, and register to enter the North Maine Woods. There is a fee of $22/per adult to access the North Maine Woods. ($11 to enter and $11 to exit) Please keep in mind that these are logging roads, and they are not paved. The last five miles are slow going! Vehicles shouldn’t experience difficulty coming all the way in, however you might need a car wash after you leave.
From the gate house, follow the road approximately 6 miles until you reach the first Y in road. Bear right at the Y. From the Y, go another 3 miles, and turn right on to an unnamed road. If you see a railroad car on the right hand side of road, turn back. The road to our landing is slightly before the RR car.
Follow this road for 5 miles to the Buckhorn Landing. There will be orange frisbees to mark the way, keep your eyes peeled for them! At the end of the road you will bear left and parking is plentiful across from the landing.
Please text us from the gatehouse after registering. We will meet you at the landing. It takes approximately 30 minutes to reach the landing after you have passed the gatehouse.
Winter Directions
Winter Directions
Winter parking is located on the corner of route 11 and Lincoln Ridge Rd at Double H contracting. The google address is L and H way Stacyville Me. (We can not reason why google brings you here when it is actually in T3 Indian Purchase Township).
Please park trailers and vehicles parallel to our white GMC Sierra truck and trailer in the parking lot. Weekend fee to park is $20.
*Picture of sign leading to parking on route 11.
- Directions to Katahdin Air
- Do You Serve Meals?
- What Do I Need to Bring?
- Is There Electricity at Buckhorn?
- Do I Hire a Guide?
- What is Your Pet Policy?
- Are Your Camps a Good Spot for Families?
- Do You Provide Internet?
- Is There Cell Service?
- How Do I Reach Buckhorn Camps?
- Can I Request a Specific Cabin?
Directions to Katahdin Air
Head north on I-95 to Medway, and take exit 244. Go west off the ramp onto Route 157 and proceed through Medway, East Millinocket, and Millinocket. In Millinocket, follow the Baxter State Park signs (You can also follow the scenic byway signs) and go about 8 miles. Take a left at the Katahdin Air sign, just after the store, and cross the Golden Road into the parking lot. Please note, oversize trucking is in progress on Golden Road, take caution.
FMI on Katahdin Air – https://www.katahdinair.com/
Do You Serve Meals?
As of summer 2020, we are only providing meals during our packaged hunts, due to COVID-19. In the future, we plan to offer the American Plan, which includes a full breakfast, dinner in the lodge, and a boxed lunch. We are monitoring COVID-19 restrictions, and will be updating should this change.
Our cabins offer fully equipped kitchens with basic utensils and cookware so that you can prepare your own meals. This includes a propane stove, refrigerator, sink, and a private bathroom with a shower, toilet, and hot water!
What do I need to bring?
Since we provide most modern conveniences, you do not need to pack a lot for your adventures! We recommend packing comfortable clothes that you can layer, keeping the temperatures and weather changes in mind. Be sure to pack a flashlight or headlamp for nighttime wildlife viewing, and bug spray in the spring/early summer. As we are not able to provide prepared foods in 2020, you will need to pack food for your trip as well.
Is there electricity at Buckhorn?
Great question! Our cabins do not have electricity. We have propane lights and wood stoves in all cabins. You may recharge your cameras and phones in the main lodge, or bring your own battery pack.
Do I Hire a Guide?
Our Maine Guides have years of experience in the woods and waters around Jo-Mary Lakes! They will ensure you the best chance at catching that trophy fish, sighting a moose, limiting out on grouse, or just having a great time in the North Maine Woods. Our Guides always have a tale or two to share, so be prepared to hear full stories that will provide a lasting impressions! We offer guided experiences that cater to your individual or group needs.
Hiring a Maine Guide is really a must for first time fishermen! Plus, it’s lots of fun. When you hire a guide, the guide will bring all of the equipment, saving you the cost of boat and motor, and can take you out on the lake to catch salmon, trout, and bass.
Hunters new to our area will benefit from a Guide for the obvious reasons of knowing where the game is, 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.
What is Your Pet Policy?
We have two dogs ourselves, and we welcome well-behaved dogs. Dogs may not be left unattended in the cabins – if you plan on being on the water, you will need to bring your pet with you. Please note that there is a $25 pet fee per stay.
Are Your Camps a Good Spot for Families?
Families have been known to make great memories at Buckhorn Camps!
Do You Provide Internet?
We do not provide internet. If you have the ability to access the internet through your cellular data plan, you should be able to connect via your device during limited times of the day.
Is There Cell Service?
You will be “off the grid” when staying in your cabin! We do have a cell booster in the main lodge, should you need to check in with family or friends upon arrival or during your stay. Cell booster service is only available during certain hours. Enjoy the opportunity to unplug at Buckhorn Camps!
How Do I Reach Buckhorn Camps?
Buckhorn Camps
PO Box 240
Millinocket ME 04462
Text or call us – 207-723-1548
Can I Request a Specific Cabin?
We do our best to honor requests for certain cabins, however, we reserve the right to assign cabins based on the number of occupants.
