Recreation

Surrounded by lakes, woods and streams, there is an abundance of year-round outdoor recreation activities in Rangeley. There are 110 lakes and ponds in the region, as well as the highest concentration of 4,000 foot peaks in the State of Maine. The Appalachian Trail runs across the summit of Saddleback Mountain on its way from Georgia to Mount Katahdin in northern Maine.

Each season in the Rangeley Lakes Region offers its own choice of activities for which the landscape and lakes provide a perfect setting, but winter in Rangeley is truly magical.

Saddleback Summer Moose Tours

If spotting a moose or two was in your vacation plans this year then hop on board Saddleback's bus and we’ll take you to them. You can admire these marvelous mammals of our region while taking in the scenery on our lovely Pickle Bus! (When you see it, you will know why we call it the Pickle!)

The Moose Patrol will leave Saddleback’s Guest Service Center located at 2473 Main St. in downtown Rangeley at 6:45 pm.

We offer complimentary moose tours Monday and Thursday evenings beginning June 28, 2010.

Come rain or shine! Time of tour is subject to change throughout season due to the daylight.

Reservations required. Please contact 207-864-5496. This is a complimentary tour.

Hiking, Walking & Biking Trails

 

Hikes on Saddleback Mountain:

Hike to Summit of Saddleback
Begin at the Base Lodge and follow the gravel road up the Wheeler slope to Gray Ghost and Tri Color trails. Tri Color will bring you to the top of the Kennebago Quad, where a short, narrow trail behind the upper building leads to Saddleback’s summit and the Appalachian Trail. Temperatures at the summit are significantly cooler.

Hike to Rock Pond
From the ski area parking lots, walk up Rock Pond Road past the condos. Road becomes a trail. Follow white blazes and signs to Rock Pond. It is a nice walk, approximately 1 mile. Rock Pond is a fly fishing only pond full of trout and the occasional thirsty moose. Beyond Rock Pond is the trail to Midway Pond and the Midway and Rangeley Overlooks sporting views of both sides of Saddleback Mountain. These remote ponds offer a sanctuary of peace and beauty. Look for the signs and tree blazes marking the trail.

Hike to Saddleback Lake
From the Base Lodge follow Royal Tiger trail which runs under the South Branch Quad lift to tower 4. At tower 4, take a right and follow the orange arrows along the gravel road. It is approximately 4 miles to Saddleback Lake where you will find picnic tables and barbecue grills.

View the Summer Hiking map

Hikes in Rangeley and Surrounding Area:

Easy Hikes:

Angel Falls
Hard to find but worth the effort! The spray of the falls down a 90 foot drop creates the illusion of an angel. At the base you will find a nice swimming and picnic area.

Directions: Take Rt. 17, south 17.6 miles from Oquossoc. Turn right off Rte. 17, cross bridge, turn right onto old railroad line. Travel 3.8 miles after leaving Rte. 17 and take the gravel road to left. Stay left through the small gravel pits. Parking is along the roadside. There is a marked trail , about one mile in length traversing small streams then arriving at the base of the falls.

Bald Mountain Trail
The 1.75 mile trail is fairly gradual with a steep pitch about two-thirds of the way up and then it continues to roll up and down. The hike is well worth it for the panoramic views of Rangeley, Mooselookmeguntic, the Richardsons and Cupsuptic lakes that can be seen from the fire tower at the summit.

Directions: From Rangeley drive through Oquossoc and look for Bald Mountain Road on your left. Follow Bald Mountain Road until just past Bald Mountain Camps, the trail head is on the left and there is plenty of parking.

Piazza Rock
This hike is approximately 9 miles south of Rangeley. You can park at the Appalachian Trail parking lot on the right side of Route 4. Piazza Rock is less than two miles up the Appalachian Trail. Children and adults will be amazed at the incredibly enormous rock that appears to be suspended in midair.

Small’s Falls
Named for the Small family who once owned the land, this state maintained rest stop is located 12 miles south of Rangeley on Route 4 on the right-hand side. There you will find a lovely picnic area, barbecue grills, rest facilities and a spectacular waterfalls. A trail runs along the stream to the tops of the falls connecting to short trails into the surrounding forest. There is excellent swimming and cliff jumping into very refreshing water. Pack a picnic and make a day out of it.

Coos Canyon
Located 20 miles southeast of Oquossoc on Route 17 in Byron Maine, formed by rushing mountain waters, the canyon is the perfect picnic and exploring spot. There are waterfalls, shallow spots for wading, rocks for climbing and the canyon! A perfect hot summer day exploration or perhaps prospecting for gold. Just across the street from Coos Canyon is a mineral shop with a seasoned prospector who can instruct you in the art of gold panning. Perfect for a hot summer day.

Camp sites are available.

West Kennebago Mountain
An excellent hike and picturesque views, this 2.5 mile hike up the mountain is surely worth the climb.

Directions: Go 4.8 miles on Route 16 West and take a right onto a gravel road and go 3.2 miles to trail sign located on the left.

Wilhelm Reich Museum Walking Trails
(Self-guided Trail, Trail of Thoughts, and Bird Blind on pond)

Intertwining nature trails surround Orgonon, home to Wilhelm Reich and his laboratory museum. The museum is a short drive down the Dodge Pond Road, located off Route 4. The trails have educational stations and hikers are sure to see a plethora of wildlife - a great place for children. Call ahead for weekend use. Picnic tables are available. 

For the More Experienced Hiker…

Appalachian Trail
Access the trail from Route 4. It is approximately 9 miles south of Rangeley or from Route 17 at the Height of Land. This portion of the trail will take you above tree line, 4120 feet above sea level to the summit of Saddleback Mountain. Very scenic.

Saddleback Mountain
The hike to the summit of Saddleback Mountain begins at the base lodge and follows the road up the Wheeler slope to the Gray Ghost Trail to Tri-Color. Tri color will bring you to the top of the Kennebago Quad where a short and narrow trail behind the upper building leads to Saddleback’s summit. Temperatures at the summit are significantly cooler. As work proceeds and additional snowmaking is being installed on the upper mountain some routes may be detoured. Please check in at the base lodge for available hiking trails.

Biking/Hiking Trails:

Railroad Trail
This trail is a marked 12.5 mile mountain bike loop. A nice ride, however the last half has many long up-hills. The trail is accessed just south of the Rangeley Inn on Depot Road.

East Kennebago Mountain
This 3-mile trail is not only a nice scenic hike but also offers a challenge to those who wish to bring their mountain bike. To find the trail, go 10 miles east of Rangeley on Route 16. Turn left onto a gravel road, cross the bridge and then take a right. Go left at the fork and then take a second right (5.3 miles from the bridge). The hike begins at the East Kennebago snowmobile sign.

Spencer Pond Trail
A nice one-mile walk or ride on an old gravel road. This is a great trail for children. It is located 12.7 mile south of Oquossoc off of Route 17 on the left.

View the Summer Hiking map

Summer Programs & Summer Camp
 

Golf
There are a number of golf courses in the Western Mountains to enjoy some closer than others.   Each course offers a variety of challenges. The closest course in proximitely to Saddleback is Evergreen Golf Club, located on Dallas hill at the base our access road.  Professional Golf Instruction is available. For more information Call (207) 864-9055 or (207) 864-3612 or you can visit their website at http://www.evergreengolfrangeley.net.

Tennis
The Rangeley Region is fortunate to have town-maintained, free-of-charge tennis courts available to the public at Lakeside Park in Rangeley Village and at the Oquossoc Park in Oquossoc Village.

There is no sign-up arrangement for playtime at these facilities. Courts are available on a first-come basis. Please use the courts only for a reasonable amount of time if other players are waiting their turn. Tennis racket rentals are available at the Rangeley Region Sport Shop. The Rangeley Recreation Department offers tennis lessons each summer.

A limited number of area accommodations offer tennis courts for their guests.

Adult Tennis Summer League
Contact Rangeley Town Office at 207-864-3326

Private lessons for all ages
Starting June 1, 2010
Contact Martin Wilson at 207-864-3429

Soccer Camp
Challenger Soccer Camp
Contact Town Office at 207-864-3326
July 5 – July 9, 2010
All ages welcome

First Kicks – 3 to 4 year olds
Mini-soccer – 4 to 6 year olds
Half-Day Player Development Camps - 6 to 16 year-olds
Full-Day Advanced Camp - 10 to 18 year-olds
Team Camps - all ages

Rangeley Lakes Heritage Trust
EcoVenture is a unique summer day camp founded by the Rangeley Lakes Heritage Trust in 1998. Funded through grants and the generosity of Trust members, it is available to local and visiting children entering grades 1 through 9 from July 6 and runs until August 20, 2010. It is recommended that you enroll as early as possible to ensure a spot for your child. For more information please call 207-864-7311.

Campers entering 1st through 5th grade meet 4 days a week from 8:45 to 3:00 and campers entering grades 6 through 9 meet on Thursdays and Fridays from 8:45 to 3:30. Bus transportation from Oquossoc, Rangeley, Dallas and Sandy River will be provided.

EcoVenture is dedicated to providing campers with a variety of fun and exciting outdoor learning activities. Guided by our dedicated staff, the activities will:

• Awaken camper curiosity about nature.
• Engage the hearts of campers as they explore and connect to the natural world.
• Develop a stewardship ethic as campers begin to understand the impacts their choices have upon the rest of our natural world.
• Promote the development of team building and problem solving skills

Important Registration Information

EcoVenture, now in its 10th year, has become tremendously popular and has tripled its number of campers. As in past years, they provide camp for a small registration fee (the fee is $50 for Rangeley School children and $100-$125 for members and vacationers.)

Activities

Each camp day brings a variety of age-appropriate activities including hiking, canoeing, kayaking, swimming, low ropes challenges, nature-based games and workshops, art and music. The older campers also go on exciting overnight trips* in the Rangeley region where they have fun while learning low impact camping skills.

Campers bring their own lunch each day and are asked to dress and bring personal supplies based on the activities planned (swim suits, sun block, etc.)

Camper Groups

• EcoVenture campers are divided into groups by their age and grade in school.
• Grasshoppers (entering 1st grade)
• Brookies (entering grades 2 and 3)
• Hawks (entering grades 4 and 5)
• Black Bears (entering grades 6 and 7)
• Cougars (entering grades 8 and 9)

* overnight trips will also be scheduled

The Junior Guides Program 207-864-5647
Sponsored by the Rangeley Region Guides & Sportsmen’s Association 
This program offers recreation opportunities to kids aged 9-14 years of age. It is a 6 week long program which begins in early July. Skilled instructors will lead programs specializing in outdoor activities, sports and fun.

William Reich Museum 207-864-3443
Each Sunday in July and August from 2pm – 4pm the Museum will host a series of natural science, outdoor-oriented educational programs. Each is led by a knowledgeable instructor. There is no charge to take part in these informative seminars.

Swimming 207-864-3326
Rangeley Town Park Swim Lessons

Beginning July … Swim lessons will be available to all swim levels.

 

Hiking, Canoeing, Kayaking, Nature Photography

Winter Activities

 

Nordic Skiing

The Rangeley Lakes Trails Center provides an extensive network of cross-country skiing trails on lower Saddleback Mountain, two miles from the ski area on Dallas Hill Road in Rangeley, ME.

This world-class trail system consists of 40 km of superbly groomed trails laid out in a loop pattern with all trails set with classic tracks and a separate skating lane. The system stretches through the 8,000 acres of the Saddleback preserve and offers a variety of skiing opportunities for all ability levels, beginner to expert.

The Nordic skiing ranges from gentle tours around Saddleback Lake to challenging climbs and thrilling descents down the slopes of Saddleback Mountain. With the highest elevation of any cross country resort in New England and a natural snowfall averaging over 200 inches, the area has the best snow conditions in the East.

You can warm yourself up in Center's yurt with hot chocolate, coffee, soda, bagels, cookies, or other delicacies on your return from the trails. Facilities and services include ski rentals, sundries and clothing items. Lessons are available.

For current snow and trail conditions: www.xcskirangeley.com/conditions.asp

For information on trail fees, season passes, events and a XC trail map: www.xcskirangeley.com

The Rangeley Lakes Trails Center is operated and maintained by the Rangeley Lakes Cross Country Ski Club.
PO Box 1283
Rangeley, ME 04970
(207) 864-4309
rlxcski@gwi.net
www.xcskirangeley.com

Snowmobiling

The Rangeley Lakes Region has New England's premier snowmobile trail system that connects with 12,500 miles of international circuits throughout Maine and Canada. 150 miles of superbly groomed trails are maintained by the Rangeley Lakes Snowmobile Club using state-of-art grooming equipment. Trails bring snowmobilers through picturesque mountains and over frozen lakes offering some truly stunning views.

Snowmobile rentals are available in Rangeley at PJ'S Power Sports, (207) 864-5343, Rev-It-Up Sport Shop, (207) 864-2452 and River's Edge Sports, (207) 864-5582, www.riversedgesports.com Guiding services also available.

For current snow and trail conditions: www.rangeleysnowmobile.com/conditions.htm

Rangeley Lakes Snowmobile Club
PO Box 950
Rangeley, ME 04970
(207) 864-7336
info@rangeleysnowmobile.com
www.rangeleysnowmobile.com

Snowshoeing

Snowshoeing is a great way to enjoy the forests and lakes in Rangeley region. Great places to snowshoe include the trail out to Rock Pond from Saddleback or down at the Evergreen Country Club. There are trails at the Wilhelm Reich Museum in Rangeley, or the many frozen, snow-covered lakes and ponds.

Snowshoes can be rented at the Saddleback Rental Shop (866)918-2225, in Rangeley at the Alpine Shop, (207)864-3741 or in Oquossoc at River’s Edge, (207)864-5582.

Sledding and Tobogganing

There is a nice slope for sledding at the Wilhelm Reich Museum in Rangeley and for real thrill seekers, the Mingo Springs Golf Course has several excellent long hills.

Dog Sled Rides

Rangeley Region Dog Sled Adventures offers half-hour to two hour dog sled rides through the beautiful woods and lakes. For more information, visit www.rangeleydogsled.com.

Ice Skating

You can ice skate on Haley Pond behind Ecopelagicon on 7 Pond Street, with lighted areas for night skating and free skate use from Ecopelagicon. Rangeley is also home of the New England Pond Hockey Festival, a three-day tournament that has become a time-honored New England tradition. The festival (usually in February) is a fund-raiser, with proceeds benefiting local Rangeley charities.

Stand halfway to the North Pole and the equator

A sign in downtown Rangeley marks the halfway between the equator and the North Pole. The sign is a famous location for residents and visitors. Although "Doc" Grant's Restaurant is now closed, many tourists still take family photos and create long-lasting memories.

For more information on activities and services in the region, go to www.rangeleymaine.com, the official website of the Rangeley Lakes Region Chamber of Commerce.

 

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