9 Fun Things to Do in Rangeley Maine
Rangeley is a stunning area of Northern Maine surrounded by beautiful forests, mountains, and six lakes! It is easily one of my favorite areas in Maine because the views are stunning and the activities are endless.
There are many things to do in Rangeley, Maine, year-round, so you can visit the beautiful area in any season and have a wide range of outdoor activities available. From paddling on the shores of Rangeley Lake, hiking Bald Mountain, skiing on Saddleback Mountain, or enjoying a scenic drive, there are many things to do in Rangeley, Maine, for everyone!
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Best Time to Visit Rangeley Maine
Rangeley, Maine, is a beautiful year-round destination! No matter what time of year you visit, you will find many things to do.
Winter is one of the best seasons to visit Rangeley because it receives an average of 200 inches of snow each year. You can snowmobile on the miles of trails available that are considered the best snowmobile trail system in Maine. If you like to ski or snowboard, you can explore the 68 runs of Saddleback Mountain.
Spring is a wonderful time to visit Rangeley! Since winter conditions can last a long time in Rangeley, Spring is also a great season to ski and snowboard. Late spring is a great time to visit the waterfalls near Rangeley because the volume of water is high once the snow begins to melt.
Summer is an incredible time to visit Rangeley to hike and swim. It is one of the busiest times in the area, and the crowds will be high. If you are looking to explore in the summer, I recommend arriving early at any sights you want to see.
Fall is one of the most beautiful times to visit Rangeley because the vibrant foliage takes over everything. If you are looking for one of the best places to visit in Maine for the fall foliage, Rangeley is perfect!
Where to Stay in Rangeley Maine
Although Rangeley is not a large town, it has plenty of accommodations. We usually camp when we visit Rangeley, but it has a few inns and hotels nearby.
Best Hotels:
What to Pack For Rangeley Maine
Hiking Boots: If you want comfort and support on your trip, hiking boots are the go to.
Hiking Socks: Having moisture-wicking and comfortable hiking socks are just as important for exploring.
Hiking Backpack: You need something to carry all your food, clothes, and anything else you need while adventuring, so having a supportive hiking backpack is crucial.
Hydration Reservoir/Water Bottles: While hiking or just exploring, it is important to have enough water! I always pack a hydration reservoir.
Jackets: The weather is unpredictable, so I always pack a rain jacket and insulated jacket.
Ten Essentials: The Ten Essentials are crucial for hiking!
Microspikes: If you plan on winter hiking, you will need to bring microspikes.
Snowshoes: Also if you hike in the winter, you may need snowshoes.
Map of the Things to Do in Rangeley, Maine
Best Things to Do in Rangeley Maine
**Always remember to leave no trace. It’s crucial to pack out what you pack in and leave no trash. Some of these spots have trash bins, so you can easily throw your trash away. If they don’t have trash bins, you can throw your trash away at a nearby gas station or convenience store.
Drive the Rangeley Lakes Scenic Byway
Rangeley Lakes Scenic Byway is a stunning 52-mile drive that offers beautiful views of the lakes and mountains near Rangeley, Maine. It is one of my favorite scenic drives in Maine!
Many of the best things to do in Rangeley, Maine, are along the scenic byway, so you can take your time driving it or drive it in a few hours to see the highlights. I recommend taking your time, so you can see and explore everything it has to offer.
If you are looking to only enjoy the drive for a few hours, make sure to stop at the scenic overlooks along the way. Height of Land is a stunning overlook with views looking west over Mooselookmeguntic Lake and the surrounding mountains. Shelton Noyes Overlook is just past the Height of Land and offers views looking east over Rangeley Lake.
Visit Rangeley Lake
One of the main highlights near Rangeley, Maine, is Rangeley Lake. The 6,000-acre lake is the perfect place to swim, kayak, paddleboard, or enjoy the views.
If you are looking for a fun adventure, I recommend exploring Rangeley Lake by water! There are canoe and kayak rental companies, where you can rent one for the day, and it is such a fun activity.
If you want to swim, there are two main public swimming areas, Lakeside Park in Rangeley Village and Rangeley Lake State Park. Both are beautiful areas to enjoy the clean waters.
Rangeley Lake is one of the best things to do in Rangeley, Maine, especially in the summer!
Explore Rangeley Lake State Park
Rangeley Lake State Park is a beautiful 869-acre park in Rangeley, Maine. The park offers many things to do, including camping, swimming, or hiking. There is a 0.9-mile trail that follows along the shores of Rangeley Lake from the boat launch area to the campground, and another 0.7-mile trail travels through the forest from the south park entrance to the ranger’s station. If you are looking to camp, Rangeley Lake State Park has 50 campsites!
Hike Bald Mountain
Hiking Bald Mountain is one of the best things to do in Rangeley, Maine because it offers stunning 360-degree views of the lakes in the region. It is one of my favorite hikes near Rangeley!
The 2.3-mile hike has around 900 feet of elevation and leads you to a fire tower. The fire tower has beautiful views of every lake near Rangeley, Maine, and will quickly be one of your favorite views in the area. The trail is easy/moderate, with some scrambles as it gets closer to the summit of Bald Mountain.
Explore Saddleback Mountain
Saddleback Mountain is a 4,000-footer in Maine that you can have fun on year-round! If you are visiting in the summer or fall, you can hike up to the summit from the Ski Lodge. The trail is a 6-mile strenuous hike that gains almost 2,000 feet of elevation. It will make you work for the views, but it is worth it!
If you are visiting in the winter, you can ski and snowboard among its 68 runs. The area receives an average of 200 inches of snow each year, making Saddleback Mountain the perfect place to spend a few days skiing or snowboarding. It is known as one of the best ski areas in the state, so I know you will love your time here!
Snowmobile
If you are looking for winter fun, Rangeley, Maine, is for you! The area receives an average of 200 inches of snow each year and has the best snowmobile trail system in Maine! The Rangeley Lakes Snowmobile Club grooms miles of trails so you can enjoy some winter fun!
Visit Smalls Falls
Smalls Falls is a 54-foot waterfall at a rest area in Rangeley, Maine, and one of my favorite waterfalls in the area. From the rest area parking lot, there is a set of stairs leading to a bridge overlooking the beautiful waterfall.
There is also a 0.5-mile trail that leads to higher viewpoints if you are looking for more of an adventure. The best view, in my opinion, is at the bridge, but hiking the short trail is worth it to see the other beautiful viewpoints!
Hike to The Cascades
The Cascades is a stunning waterfall tucked into a beautiful gorge near Rangeley, Maine. I actually found this waterfall accidentally when I visited Rangeley! As you can tell, it quickly became one of my favorite waterfalls in the area.
The waterfall has three falls that make the waterfall over 50 feet tall. The Cascades requires a 1-mile hike on the Cascade Stream Gorge Trail through a beautiful forest.
Hike Angel Falls
Angel Falls is among the most beautiful waterfalls in Maine and one of the best things to do in Rangeley, Maine. It is among my top favorite waterfalls in Maine because it is stunning!
Angel Falls is the fourth tallest waterfall in Maine at 90 feet tall and requires a 1.1-mile hike. The trail travels through a beautiful forest and over streams before finally reaching the epic Angel Falls.
To get to the trailhead, I recommend driving on Bemis Road from the south. You will need to look for a fork in the road with a small sign pointing to the Angel Falls trailhead. Angel Falls will quickly become one of your favorite things to do in Rangeley, Maine!
If you are looking for the best things to do in Rangeley, Maine, this guide is a great place to start! I love visiting Rangeley, so I know you will, too. There are many things to do year-round in Rangeley, Maine, so it has something for everyone no matter what time of year you visit.
Hey, I’m Nichole!
I am the creator behind Nichole the Nomad, the home of my explorations around the world, mountain hikes, and beautiful pictures taken along the way. I have a deep passion for capturing the world in a beautiful light and sharing my experiences.
I created this blog to share my travels, show how beautiful the world is, provide tips and tricks for traveling, and encourage you to explore. Whether you want to travel across the world or explore what’s in your backyard, I hope this blog inspires you to get outside and find your adventure!
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