This island camp on Millinocket Lake offers ‘breathtaking’ views of Katahdin for less than $300K

By Kathleen O’Brien, Bangor Daily News Staff

A rustic cabin on a private island on Millinocket Lake with sweeping views of Katahdin is for sale for less than $300,000. 

With an asking price of $289,000, the two-bedroom, one-bathroom cabin offers 720 square feet of living space. The wooded private island that’s roughly a half-acre in size sits near the southern shore of Millinocket Lake. 

While the cabin itself is simple, what sets it apart from other waterfront camps is the panoramic view of Katahdin and unlimited access to Millinocket Lake, said Jim Plourde, an associate broker at North Woods Real Estate, the listing agent for the property.  

“The cottage itself is in great shape, but basic,” Plourde said. “The view is breathtaking — you can’t beat it. Otherwise, it’s just a camp on an island.” 

The seller, a musician from New York, has spent his summers in the cabin since 2000 and performed around the region during his time in the area, Plourde said. 

The cabin has been looked at seven or eight times since being put on the market on July 1, but the right buyer hasn’t come along yet, Plourde said. 

“Island properties aren’t for everybody,” Plourde said. “It’s perfect for a minimalist who loves the outdoors and wants a quiet spot with a view.” 

The cabin is a short distance from Rhodora, the former camp of the famous American landscape painter Frederic Church, which sits on the mainland. Church was known for spending his summers on the shores of Millinocket Lake, but today, his property is used primarily as an artists’ retreat. 

The island for sale is believed to be where Church’s help stayed, Plourde said. 

While the cabin is simple and feels isolated, several amenities, such as Knife Edge Brewing, River Driver’s Restaurant and the New England Outdoor Center, are a short drive away on the mainland, Plourde said.

“This is perfect for someone who wants a quiet getaway but still wants to be close to great amenities,” Plourde said. “It’s a special area and a unique spot.” 

The home will be sold furnished, except for personal belongings the owner will take with him, Plourde said. 

The cabin is uninsulated, but does have a woodstove for heat. 

The property doesn’t have electricity, so the owner uses gas lights and a small solar panel charges a battery pack, Plourde said. There’s also no plumbing to the island, but a hand pump supplies water to the camp’s toilet and sinks. 

“The owner is a minimalist to say the least,” Plourde said. “I’m sure the next person will come in with different thoughts and ideas.”