Gorman Chairback Lodge & Cabins
Contact
Piscataquis County
The Maine Highlands, Maine 12345
Built as a private camp in 1867, Gorman Chairback Lodge & Cabins is a spectacular respite in the heart of Maine’s 100-Mile Wilderness. Located on AMC’s conservation land by the shore of Long Pond, Gorman Chairback offers a central location for a myriad of outdoor activities.
Season dates
Full-Service
January 12, 2023 - March 4, 2023
June 23, 2023- October 14, 2023
Amenities:
Canoes, kayaks, paddleboards
Showers
Meals included
Wood-fired sauna
Snowshoes
Hearty, homemade meals, friendly staff, and cozy private cabins prepare you for hikes to Gulf Hagas and Third Mountain, a lodge-to-lodge cross-country ski, or a day of shoreside relaxation on Long Pond. The newly renovated main lodge features expansive sunset views, a cozy living room with wood stove, and a family-style dining room.
Summer Season
Guests in the summer can enjoy fly-fishing for landlocked salmon or wild brook trout on a myriad of lakes, rivers, and streams, including nearby Long Pond. Guests can relax around the campfire, on the dock or out on the swim float. Complimentary canoes, kayaks, and paddleboards are available for guests.
Learn more about preparing for your summer stay.
Winter Season
Guests in the winter have access to 35 miles of groomed cross-country ski and snowshoe trails around the lodge. The lodge-to-lodge trail network is groomed and offers full-day adventures replete with magnificent views and moose tracks. A shuttle service is available, and a gear shuttle transports your luggage to your destination so you can ski or snowshoe with just a day pack. Complimentary snowshoes are available. Dogs are also welcome in winter only.
- Some cabins share bath facilities in the lodge and others have private bathrooms. All cabins share the wood-burning sauna in the lodge.
- In summer, linens, comforters and a bath towel are provided in cabins. Bunkhouse beds include a pillow with case and wool blankets. Bunkhouse guests should bring a sleeping bag or linens, and a bath towel.
- In winter, linens for the cabins and bunkhouses are not provided. Please be sure to pack a sleeping bag and/or your own sheets and linens for your stay. Be aware that cabins are heated by wood stoves, but they do get cold.
- Breakfast, trail lunch, and dinner are included in your nightly rate. Breakfast is served at 8 a.m. sharp. Made-to-order trail lunches are provided after breakfast. Dinner is served at 6 p.m. sharp and includes soup or salad, entrée, and dessert. Beer and wine are available for purchase.
Please notify AMC Contact Service Center if you have food allergies or other dietary needs.
All Seasons
The lodge is accessible by car in the spring and fall seasons, and accessible only by ski, snowshoe, or dogsled in the winter season. Driving directions are available here. Please print or download these directions before your trip, as cell service is unreliable in the Maine Woods. Note that when “roads” are referenced, these are not plowed and are used as trails in winter. GPS is unreliable north of Greenville. It is recommended that you track mileage on your odometer.
In all seasons, accessing Gorman Chairback requires travel on gravel logging roads. Logging vehicles have the right of way. Conditions can be rough and low clearance vehicles are not recommended. All wheel drive is recommended during wet, snowy, or icy conditions. There is no fuel available once you leave the paved roads.
For up-to-date information on road conditions, please contact AMC’s Contact Service Center (207-358-5187) or the AMC Greenville Office (207-695-3085).
Spring-Fall Seasons
Gorman Chairback is located in the KI Jo-Mary Forest, which is a multi-use forest owned by a consortium of landowners. The roads are gated, and access through the checkpoints (Hedgehog and Katahdin Ironworks) is only allowed between the hours of 6 a.m. and 9 p.m. Access fees are included in Gorman Chairback and Little Lyford lodging rates. Please bring a copy of your AMC reservation confirmation letter to show at the gatehouse.
Certain vehicle types (such as some RVs and motorcycles) are restricted or prohibited. Click here for KI Jo-Mary Rules and Regulations.
Winter Season
Access to Gorman Chairback in winter is by ski, snowshoe, or dogsled only, starting at the AMC winter parking lot. Be sure to pack a full-size snow shovel to leave in your car in case you need to shovel out after fresh snowfall.
At AMC’s winter parking lot, you’ll leave your luggage in our clearly-marked gear sheds, where our staff will pick up your bags and transport them to your destination. Trail conditions will be posted at the trailhead, and free paper maps are available.
From the winter parking lot, the ski to Gorman Chairback varies from 6 miles to 8.2 miles depending on the route you choose.
Nearby hikes include Hermit Point and Long Pond Trails, Gorman Loop Trail, and Gulf Hagas/The Hermitage, which is dubbed the “Grand Canyon of Maine” and offers multiple options. For other trip ideas and detailed route information, please inquire with our Maine staff or purchase AMC’s Maine Mountain Guide or 100-Mile Wilderness Map and Guide.
Gorman Chairback offers an ADA accessible cabin with electricity, private bathroom with shower, and propane heat. The main lodge is also ADA accessible with hardened gravel paths throughout camp that are snow covered in the winter.
Our Commitment to Sustainable Operations
AMC has a long-standing commitment to using its huts, lodges, and sporting camps as models for sustainable operations and environmental stewardship. At Gorman Chairback, we have a solar array, composting toilets and offer a green tour to teach our guests about these practices. Additionally, we compost our food waste and recycle.