Bulldog Camps facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Bulldog Camps |
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View of the dock at Bulldog Camps
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| Location | Enchanted Pond, Maine, United States |
| Type | sporting camp |
| Land | 16 acres |
| Campsites | 7 cabins |
| Facilities | lodge |
| Water | yes |
| Fires | yes |
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Bulldog Camps
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sporting camp
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| Nickname(s):
Enchanted Pond Camps
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| Motto(s):
“A Traditional Maine Sporting Camp”
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 Bulldog Camps
Location in Maine
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| Country | United States |
| State | Maine |
| County | Somerset |
| Established | 1880s |
| Elevation | 1,447 ft (441 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code |
04945
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| Area code(s) | 207 243-2853 |
| FIPS code | 23-025 |
| GNIS Feature ID | 563166 |
Bulldog Camps, also known as Enchanted Pond Camps, is a historic and remote vacation spot in the western mountains of Maine. It's a traditional sporting camp that has welcomed visitors for over 100 years.
The camps are located in Upper Enchanted Township, close to Jackman, Maine, in the United States. They were first started in the 1880s by Henry Patrick McKenney as a place for loggers. Later, in the early 1900s, they became a popular sporting camp. Today, Bulldog Camps is still an active member of the Maine Sporting Camp Association.
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Why is it called Bulldog Camps?
The name "Bulldog Camps" comes from the nearby mountains. The 800-foot cliffs of Shutdown and Coburn Mountains rise sharply from both sides of Enchanted Pond. These cliffs used to look a lot like the profiles of two bulldogs staring at each other across the pond.
Because the pond was nicknamed "Bulldog Pond," the camps on its north shore, which were the only ones on the lake, got the unusual name "Bulldog Camps."
A Look Back: History of Bulldog Camps
Early Days as a Logging Camp
Bulldog Camps began in the 1880s. Henry Patrick McKenney first used the area as a logging camp. He built a famous log sluice here. This sluice helped him move logs from Bulldog Pond to the Dead River. It saved him a lot of travel distance to the sawmill.
A wooden dam was built at the end of Enchanted Pond. This dam held back water until it was needed to float logs downriver in the spring. Many people wondered if McKenney's sluice would actually work. But in the spring of 1900, the first logs successfully went through the sluice. You can still find parts of the old dam and sluice today.
Becoming a Sporting Camp
Logging stopped at Bulldog Camps around 1908. The area was then quickly turned into a sporting camp. These camps became very popular with people who loved to fish and hunt. The region grew in popularity, even attracting famous visitors like Henry David Thoreau and President Theodore Roosevelt.
During the 1930s and 1940s, business slowed down due to tough economic times. The camps changed owners several times. In 1957, Ruel and Hazel Orff bought the place. They brought new energy to the camps. They offered traditional "American Plan" stays, which included meals. They also offered boat rentals, guide services, and even float plane flights.
Sadly, the main lodge burned down in the fall of 1973. This happened shortly after the camps changed owners again. For the next few decades, the cabins were only available for rent without meals.
Modern Restoration and Growth
In 2005, Darren Savage bought Bulldog Camps. He spent several years bringing the camps back to life. One of the original cabins from the 1800s was turned into a new lodge. Now, guests can once again enjoy three home-cooked meals a day with the traditional American Plan.
The camps had never been open in winter before. So, all the cabins were updated. They got new roofs, porches, wood stoves, and propane heaters. They also added full bathrooms with hot running water. A new road was built to the camps. Before, you could only reach them by a 4x4 trail, hiking, or float plane.
In 2009, the camps also bought a remote cabin on the southwest end of Enchanted Pond. This cabin, called the "Warden’s Camp," was built in 1960. It was built by the chief pilot for the Maine Warden Service. This cabin is now rented out along with the six cabins at the main camp.
Bulldog Camps attracts different visitors throughout the year. Fishermen and ATV riders come in the spring. Families enjoy summer vacations. Hunters and people who love to see the colorful fall leaves visit in autumn.
Outdoor Adventures: Fishing and Hunting
Fishing at Enchanted Pond
People once thought Enchanted Pond was bottomless! But it was found to be a little over 200 feet deep. This makes it the deepest lake in the area. It's a fantastic place to catch bright, native brook trout. The water is very clear and clean, perfect for fishing.
Hunting Opportunities
Hunting trips are offered in the fall. They run from the last week of August through the first week of December. Hunters can look for various animals. These include bear, whitetail deer, moose, coyote, grouse, woodcock, and rabbit.
Images for kids
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View of the dock at Bulldog Camps
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Bulldog Camps transforms into a winter wonderland December–March.
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Brook trout caught out of Enchanted Pond, June 2007
