Hawk's Nest Lodge & Restaurant
A full-service lodge and restaurant on the bank of the Dead River in West Forks, serving the Old Canada Road (US-201) corridor. The wrap-around deck overlooks the river and makes for a memorable lunch or dinner stop on the 78-mile byway between Skowhegan and the Canadian border. The pub menu leans toward hearty fare suited for riders; the location is less than a mile north of the Kennebec River confluence. Under new local ownership since 2024. Open seasonally.
Sitting right on US-201 — the Old Canada Road National Scenic Byway — this custom-built log lodge is one of the only full-service food stops on a long stretch of road through Maine's western mountains. The location puts it directly on the bank of the Dead River, and the wrap-around deck makes that setting tangible: you can park, order, and watch the river from your seat before heading back out onto the byway.
The restaurant and pub describe their food as "elevated pub-fare," which fits what a rider actually wants after a long morning on the road — hearty, no-fuss, and served in a relaxed atmosphere. The lodge also offers lodging if you want to break the run into two days. The place is under local ownership as of 2024, open seasonally, and closes during the off-season, so confirm hours before making it a firm plan.
Sits directly on US-201, which motorcycleroads.com riders rate a 10 for scenery — twists, sweepers, mountains, rivers, and almost no traffic. Hawk's Nest is the best food stop on a 78-mile stretch with very few alternatives.
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