Sawtelle Deadwater provides a nice place to paddle up north, near the north section of Baxter State Park and Katahdin Woods & Waters.
It’s very remote and quiet with only a few camps on the water’s edge and there is a very good chance of seeing wildlife like moose, beavers, and bald eagles.
You can paddle a couple of miles from the put-in until the water narrows to a stream, and if the water is high enough, you can continue to paddle along the stream and connect to mud pond.
We’ve seen moose both times we’ve paddled here, but never managed to get any good photos because they seem extra skittish here.
I don’t think the moose see many people out here!
Driving Directions to Sawtelle Deadwater Put-In
From I-95, take exit 264, the same exit for Katahdin Woods & Water and Baxter State Park North Entrance, and take a left onto Route 11. Drive for about 10 miles and take a left onto Route 159 W toward Mount Chase, then drive for about 15 miles and take a right onto Scraggly Lake Road, a gravel road. The parking area and put-in is about 2 miles down Scraggly Lake Road, just after the small bridge.
