The town of Rangeley, Maine is located on the shores of Rangeley Lake, surrounded by forests and offering a wide range of outdoor recreation opportunities.
- Summary:
- Visitors can paddle along the secluded lake shores, swim through clear waters, breathe in the fresh pine-scented air, delight in getting a fish on their line, relax with family and friends by the water, or even spot a moose out in the wild.
- The charming community, outdoor experiences, remote mountain location, and many lakes, waterways, and ponds all provide an ideal getaway destination.
Rangeley is 2 hr 30 min from Portland (131.3 miles via I-295 N, ME-27 N and ME-4 N):
Rangeley Lake State Park
Rangeley Lake State Park is spread out across more than 850 acres of land in the heart of the Western Mountains of Maine. Visitors will find many different outdoor recreational activities throughout the park, such as fishing, hunting, photography, winter sports wildlife viewing, camping, picnicking, and hiking. The clear, cool waters of the lake extend around nine miles and are home to trout and salmon. There is also a boat launch featuring finger docks for campers and day guests, playground, and picnic area in Rangeley Lake State Park, and the campground consists of fifty well spaced campsites.
1 State Park Rd, Rangeley, ME 04970, Phone: 207-864-3858
Mooselookmeguntic Lake
Mooselookmeguntic Lake lies in both Oxford County and Franklin County in Maine, near the town of Rangeley. The fourth largest lake in the state, Mooselookmeguntic is considered by many to be a gem of Maine’s Rangeley Lakes region. Visitors can find boating, camping, and hiking opportunities on and around Mooselookmeguntic Lake. Fishing is one of the most popular activities on the lake, with many different fish calling the waters home, such as brown trout, yellow perch, white perch, brook trout, and salmon. Mooselookmeguntic Lake can also be seen from the Height of Land overlook along Route 17.
Rangeley Outdoor Sporting Heritage Museum
The Rangeley Outdoor Sporting Heritage Museum brings the outdoor sporting personalities, traditions, and history of Rangeley to life in this unique museum in the quaint village Oquossoc, Maine. The Yankee Magazine has called the museum the “Best Sporting Museum in New England.” Situated in the heart of one of the premiere outdoor destinations in the state, the rustic Rangeley Outdoor Sporting Heritage Museum is a place where the history, present, and future of outdoor sporting in Maine come together. Along with many different exhibits, there is also a gift shop selling fly fishing supplies, apparel, glassware, and many gift ideas.
ME-4 & Rt 17, Oquossoc, ME 04964, Phone: 207-864-3091
Maine Forestry Museum
The Maine Forestry Museum, previously named the Rangeley Lakes Region Logging Museum, is a non-profit organization established in 1979. Situated among the beautiful natural surroundings of rivers, lakes, and waterfalls in the heart of Rangeley, the area is where logging operations took place since the 1800’s. The museum is home to an extensive artifact collection with items from throughout the Northeast region, including hundreds of artifacts representing the state’s logging operations, such as chain and crosscut saws, sleds, an original forerunner of the skidder, and snubbing machines. Many hand-carved objects and other traditional art can be seen as well.
221 Stratton Rd, Rangeley, ME 04970, Phone: 207-864-3939
Wilhelm Reich Museum
Serving as the research center, laboratory, and home of Wilhelm Reich, M.D., who was a pioneering scientist, psychoanalyst, and psychiatrist, the center is now open to the general public in Rangeley as the Wilhelm Reich Museum.
- The grounds consists of approximately 175 acres of forests and fields, a series of woodland trails, two rental cottages, a bookstore, the office and conference building, and the Orgone Energy Observatory.
- The observatory introduces guests to the life and work of Reich, featuring scientific apparatus and inventions, exhibits, a 30-minute film, personal memorabilia that includes his sculpture and paintings, and his study and library.
- Where You'll Find it:19 Dodge Pond Rd, Rangeley, ME 04970, Phone: 207-864-3443
Rangeley Lakes National Scenic Byway
The Rangeley Lakes National Scenic Byway follows along Route 4 and Route 17 around Rangeley Lake, traveling from Madrid, Maine to Township E. Noteworthy stops along the often picturesque byway include the Appalachian Trail, Saddleback Mountain, areas for possibly viewing wildlife, lakes, the town of Rangeley, and the Height of Land. Rangeley Lake, however, serves as the centerpiece of the Rangeley Lakes National Scenic Byway. A popular activity for people traveling down the byway is to search for wild moose that are often seen along the roadside. The roadway is also great for viewing the colorful and beautiful fall foliage.
Loon Lodge Inn
The Loon Lodge Inn is situated along the eastern shores of Rangeley Lake, set perfectly for viewing amazing sunsets. Built originally back in 1899, the lodge has been very carefully restored and now offers pub fare, fine dining, guest rooms, and more. During the winter months, the boat slips along the lake invite guests to stop at Dock and Dine, while ramps are put out during the winter to provide visitors with the ability to snowmobile from Rangeley Lake to the door. The Loon Lodge Inn and Restaurant also features expansive grounds for relaxing strolls and private function rooms for events.
16 Pickford Rd, Rangeley, ME 04970, Phone: 207-864-5666
Classic Provisions
Classic Provisions is a unique, specialty food store in the lakeside mountain town of Rangeley, Maine. The family-owned and operated store and eatery is run by Joanna and Payson, a couple with a culinary background. The one-of-a-kind shop specializes in prepared meals, fresh produce, seafood, meat, gourmet finds, gifts, wine, and beer. The vision of Classic Provisions is one that creates a consumer experience in which customers have access to quality products and food while also having a resource for treating that food right. Offerings change with the season or when the owners come across new favorites.
2455 Main St, Rangeley, ME 04970, Phone: 207-864-2717
Moose Alley
Moose Alley is your go-to venue for indoor family fun. The center offers 10 new state-of-the-art bowling lanes with electronic scoring and bumpers for younger players. Shoe rental is available on site. Moose Alley also has a popular billiards lounge where you will find 3 large 9-ft tournament pool tables, dart boards, a foosball table and air hockey. When you feel like a change of pace you can take on the video and games arcade, where you can redeem your winning tickets for great prizes. Spirits Café, Bar and Grill is open daily to ensure you never play on an empty stomach.
2809 Main Street, Rangeley, ME 04970, 207-864-9955
Smalls Falls
Located just a short distance south of Rangeley, Smalls Falls is a very scenic rest area which incorporates a waterfall, attractive gorge and some wonderful natural swimming holes. At the base of the falls you will find a 3-foot cascade which drops into a 20 ft circular rock pool. Above this lower water all you will find 14-foot horsetail cascade which terminates in a deep oblong pool. If you venture further up the trail you will come upon another 25-foot segmented waterfall and beyond that, the final cascade is around 12 foot deep. All along the way you can stop off for a quick dip in the clean, clear waters.
Angel Falls
Appealing to all nature lovers, the very scenic Angel Falls is one of the tallest waterfalls in Maine. The 90-foot drop of water is surrounded by cliff walls which reach 115 feet, making this an exceptionally scenic area to explore. You can set off along the short Angel Falls Trail, which will lead you across several mountain streams until you reach the base of the falls, where the water gently tumbles into a golden pool. The hike is 1.1 miles out and back and is considered easy to moderate, although there is a 200 ft elevation gain. The trail is best used between April and November, as several of the streams can be impassable after heavy rains.
Hunter Cove Wildlife Sanctuary
Located just 4.5 miles from the center of Rangeley, the Hunter Cove Wildlife Sanctuary provides a habitat for dozens of birds and reptiles, as well as an essential deer wintering area. The 100 acre sanctuary incorporates a 5 mile section of shorefront on Rangeley Lake and is best explored on foot along a network of trails. You will find around 2 miles of flat, easy trails which are suitable for the whole family. Several loop options are available to extend your nature walk. Along the way you can enjoy excellent bird watching and photography as well as back-country skiing in winter.
Route 16 and 4, Rangeley, ME 04970
Rangeley Lakes Trails Center
You will find the Rangeley Lakes Trails Center nestled at the foot of Saddleback Mountain, where it offers a wide variety of activities for all outdoor enthusiasts. During the warmer months, from spring to fall, hikers and bikers descend on the center to enjoy scenic trails, wild flowers and extravagant mountain vistas. In winter, when an annual average of more than 200 inches of snow coats the trails, the emphasis shifts to snow sports. Visitors come to enjoy miles of groomed trails suitable for skiing, snow-shoeing and fat-biking. You can find out all about the current exciting activities at the Yurt headquarters.
524 Saddleback Mountain Road, Dallas Plantation, ME 04970, 207-864-4309
Rangeley Region Sports Shop
The town of Rangeley and the beautiful Rangeley Lakes area has been attracting anglers for more than a century. Today visitors come to Rangeley with high expectations of landing a “Big One”. If you are one of these avid anglers you will be able to stock up on everything you need for a fishing holiday at the Rangeley Region Sports Shop . Here you can buy the finest rods, reels, lines, and leaders. You can also choose from an outstanding selection of flies, or buy all you need to tie your own unique flies. If you are new to fly fishing you can hire a local guide to help you on your way.
2529 Main Street, Rangeley, ME 04970, Ph. 207-864-5615
