Rangeley Lakes Scenic Byway (original) (raw)
Rangeley Lakes Scenic BywayBy Ways2022-01-13T12:34:01-05:00
Rangeley Lakes Scenic Byway
State: Maine
Length: 35.6 mi / 57.3 km
Time to Allow: 2.5 hours to drive and 8 or more hours to visit this byway.
The Rangeley Lakes Scenic Byway runs 35 miles across western Maine’s lake-dotted mountains, following State Highways 4 and 17. The trail climbs the Appalachian Range’s ridgeline, providing plenty of chances for outdoor leisure along the way. Enjoy the stunning landscape, excellent recreational options, plentiful wildlife, local museums, and quaint New England villages as you go back in time. Slow down, relax, and take in the beauty of nature at every step.
Pick up the byway close to Madrid for a quick stop at Angel Falls and antique shopping. Daggett Rock offers a unique side trip as a giant rock perfect for pictures. Tumbledown Mountain offers epic views and hiking, as does Mount Blue State Park. Stay at the campground to enjoy several days of outdoor activities year-round, including canoeing, biking, snowmobiling, and much more. Finally, stay at one of several local inns or B&B’s for a charming experience.
In Rangeley, you are close to the lake and a few mountains, such as Saddleback Mountain, along with a ski resort. Find canyons, waterfalls, walking trails, and a state park. Before entering the lakeside community of Rangeley, a hub for outdoor sports, the byway borders the eastern shores of Rangeley Lake, which provides boat launch sites, camping, and decent fishing (for landlocked salmon and brook trout).
Head to Oquossoc next, right by another gorgeous lake close to New Hampshire. In the distance, enjoy views of the mountains like Elephant Mountain and Beaver Mountain. With tons of trails, a heritage museum, and boating, you can enjoy tons of adventure in a small area. Small Falls sits nearby, offering water cascading over rocks. Spend a few nights at Bald Mountain Camps Resort to stay close to nature but with all the amenities. They over a restaurant too with options for sensitive diets.
Start your day at Oquossoc Grocery, a popular hangout for travelers and locals on Rangeley Lake’s east shore. Before a day of exploring, grab a coffee and a breakfast sandwich. Do you need some snacks for your hike or some craft beer to take back to camp? The Farmer’s Daughter marketplace, located nearby, sells fresh local fruit and cheeses, as well as baked products and a variety of prepared cuisine. In addition, the town offers some interesting sporting history along with quaint shops.
The picturesque overlook at the Height of Land on Route 17 is one of the trip’s highlights. You can see for kilometers across Mooselookmeguntic Lake from here. Consider visiting the Wilhelm Reich Museum in Rangeley if you’re a history lover and have the time. The house misses stone with a modern style for a unique form of architecture, and the place is historic and has a nature preserve.
Last but not least, pay a visit to Coos Canyon. You won’t even have to get out of your car to see this gem because it’s right off Route 17. You’ll soon be on Route 4 and on your way to the Smalls Falls Rest Area. This is the formal terminus of the byway. The byway ends here, leaving room for you to consider exploring Maine or move to nearby New Hampshire.
More Maine Byways
You can check out additional Byways in Maine by clicking on the list of byways below, or by going to the Maine Byways home section. To find even more of scenic byways in the United States, visit our scenic byways map.