The Songo River

The Songo River is the short, winding river in Naples, Maine, that carries water and boats from Brandy Pond and Long Lake down into Sebago Lake. Its lower stretch runs through Sebago Lake State Park, where boats pass through the hand-worked Songo Lock, built in 1830, and walkers can follow the riverbank on the 1.5-mile Songo River Trail. The Crooked River joins the Songo at the park's free, accessible Veteran's Fishing Pier.

Where the River Runs

Long Lake and Brandy Pond, in Naples, sit about four feet higher than Sebago Lake. The Songo River drains them south into Sebago, meandering through the western side of the state park before it reaches the lake. In the canal era, freight boats were poled up this river on their way from Portland to Harrison; today it is a summer boating route between the lakes. See Songo Lock.

Walking the Songo River Trail

On the day-use side of the park, the Songo River Trail follows the meandering riverbank for about 1.5 miles. Maine Trail Finder describes it as relatively flat, and the Bureau rates the river trail as the most accessible of the day-use trails. Waterfowl feed along the river, and walkers often see ducks, loons, geese and bald eagles. See hiking.

The Songo Wilderness Trail

On the Naples side, the park's longest trail, the 3-mile Songo Wilderness Trail, crosses a glacial outwash plain, follows the Songo River shore beyond Thompson Point Road, and swings back along Horseshoe Bog. It starts near the entrance to the trailer service area in the campground.

The Crooked River and the Veteran's Fishing Pier

The Crooked River flows into the Songo beside State Park Road. At the meeting of the two rivers, the Bureau built the Songo Lock Veteran's Fishing Pier: an ADA-compliant platform with an accessible path, a picnic table, a toilet and parking. There is no fee. You need a Maine fishing license to fish. See fishing.

Boating the Songo

Boaters travel the river between Sebago Lake and Brandy Pond, then on into Long Lake and the Naples Causeway. The lock runs from May 1 to October 15, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and charges $15 per boat for the round trip. On Brandy Pond, the Town of Naples bans personal watercraft from sunset to 9 a.m., and rental jet skis must carry a visible rental decal. See boating.

The Songo River Queen II

The Songo River Queen II is a riverboat that runs sightseeing and themed cruises from the Naples Causeway at 841 Roosevelt Trail (Route 302). Its operator says round trips on Long Lake cover 6 to 12 miles, depending on the trip, with views of the Causeway, Mount Washington, Birch Point, Long Island, Pine Island and Pleasant Mountain. Schedules, prices and bookings are on the operator's own website. It is a private business, not part of the state park. See Naples, Maine.