Rangeley Lake State Park

Lake, Mountains, and Moose Country

Rangeley Lake State Park sits on the southern shore of Rangeley Lake in the western mountains of Maine, about 2.5 hours from Portland and the same from Bangor. The campground has 50 sites spread through mixed hardwood and conifer forest, many with filtered views of the lake and Saddleback Mountain rising on the north shore.

This is not a coastal park. Rangeley sits at 1,500 feet of elevation in a region that feels more like northern New Hampshire than typical Maine. The lake is cold, the mountains are big, moose outnumber tourists, and the night sky is genuinely dark. If you want a camping trip where the highlight is loons calling at dusk and a fire tower summit with views into Canada, this is it.

The park has a sandy beach, a proper boat launch with finger docks, hot showers, and a playground. It is one of the better-equipped state park campgrounds in Maine, without the sterile feel of an over-developed facility.

Best Campsites

The 50 sites are arranged in a single loop with a few spur roads. Eight sites have water and electric hookups for RVs. The rest are standard tent/RV sites with no hookups. All sites have a picnic table, fire ring, and tent pad.

The best sites are the ones with lake access or views. Not every site has a water view, so choosing carefully matters.

Lake-View and Waterfront Sites: Sites 2, 8, 13, 15, 16, 17, 19, and 21 are the premium picks. They sit on the lake side of the loop with filtered or direct views of the water. Site 17 is a standout with one of the best views in the campground.

Wooded and Private Sites: Sites 27, 29, 34, and 36 are set back from the lake but have excellent tree screening and feel more secluded. Good choices if you want quiet over views.

Sites to Avoid: The sites closest to the day-use area and playground can be noisy on summer weekends when day visitors are in and out.

Reservations and Logistics

Maine state park reservations are handled through campwithme.com. Reservations for the season open on February 5 at 9 AM. Popular lakefront sites book fast, especially for July and August weekends. After September 14, remaining sites switch to first-come, first-served.

Rates are $30 per night for Maine residents and $40 for non-residents. Add $2 per night for sites with hookups. There is no extra charge for the second car or the dump station.

Check-in is at 1 PM, check-out at 11 AM. The park gate is staffed during the day, but if you arrive after hours there will be an envelope system for self-registration.

The nearest town is Rangeley, about a 10-minute drive. It has a grocery store, gas stations, restaurants, and outfitters. You will not need to drive far for supplies, but the selection is small-town Maine. Do your big shopping in Farmington (45 minutes south) or Rumford if you are coming from the south.

Swimming and the Beach

The day-use area has a sandy beach on Rangeley Lake with a gradual entry. The water is clean and clear but cold. Even in August, the lake temperature hovers around 68-72F. Refreshing on a hot day, but not the kind of water where you linger for hours.

Lifeguards are on duty during summer. The beach is in the day-use section of the park, separate from the campground loop but an easy walk.

The playground is next to the beach, which makes this a solid setup for families. Kids can bounce between the water, the playground, and the picnic area without anyone getting in a car.

Boating and Fishing

The boat launch is one of the best on Rangeley Lake. It has paved ramps and finger docks, so launching a canoe, kayak, or motorboat is straightforward. There is no horsepower restriction on the lake, so you will see fishing boats and pontoons alongside paddlers.

Fishing is a major draw. Rangeley Lake holds landlocked salmon, brook trout, and brown trout. The salmon fishing is best in May and June when the water is cold and the fish are near the surface. By midsummer, they drop to deeper water and trolling becomes the primary method.

Brook trout fishing is good in the smaller streams and ponds around Rangeley. The Kennebago River is one of Maine’s best wild brook trout streams and is about 20 minutes from the park. Fly fishing is the primary method there.

A Maine fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older. You can buy one online at the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife website or at sporting goods stores in Rangeley.

Dogs at Rangeley Lake State Park

Dogs are welcome in the campground on a leash no longer than 4 feet. They must be attended at all times and cleaned up after.

The important restriction: dogs are NOT allowed on the beach from April 1 through September 30. This covers essentially the entire camping season. If you are camping with a dog, you will need to find other swimming spots or stick to the trails.

Dogs are welcome on the hiking trails in the area, including Bald Mountain and other nearby hikes.

Hiking Near Rangeley

The Rangeley region has excellent hiking, from easy fire tower walks to serious Appalachian Trail climbs.

Bald Mountain is the go-to short hike. About 1.8 miles round trip with a fire tower at the summit that gives 360-degree views of Rangeley Lake, Mooselookmeguntic Lake, and the surrounding mountains. The trail is moderate with some rocky sections near the top. Plan 1-2 hours.

Saddleback Mountain is a serious hike. At 4,120 feet, it is one of Maine’s 4,000-footers. The trail from the ski area access road is about 10 miles round trip with significant elevation gain. Above treeline, you get sweeping views of the western mountains and the Bigelow Range. This is a full-day commitment.

Piazza Rock is an Appalachian Trail landmark about 30 minutes south of Rangeley on Route 4. A massive flat boulder perched on the edge of a cliff, defying gravity. The hike to it from the AT trailhead is about 3 miles round trip with moderate difficulty. Kids love it.

Height of Land on Route 17 between Rangeley and Rumford is not a hike but a roadside overlook that deserves a stop. The view down over Mooselookmeguntic Lake and the chain of lakes is one of the best overlooks in New England. There is a short segment of the Appalachian Trail that crosses here if you want to walk a bit.

Moose Watching

The Rangeley region is prime moose country. The mix of bogs, ponds, and regenerating forest creates ideal moose habitat, and your chances of spotting one here are better than almost anywhere else in Maine.

Best times: Dawn and dusk, especially in spring and early summer when moose come to roadsides to lick salt and feed on aquatic plants.

Best roads: Route 16 between Rangeley and Stratton, and Route 17 between Rangeley and Oquossoc. Drive slowly, keep your eyes on the shoulders and wetlands, and pull over safely when you spot one.

Guided safaris: Several outfitters in Rangeley offer guided moose safaris. They know the feeding spots and the timing. A guided trip significantly increases your odds, especially if you only have one evening to try.

Float Planes and Scenic Flights

Rangeley has a seaplane base, and scenic float plane rides are available through Acadian Seaplanes. A 15-20 minute flight over the lake region gives you a perspective you cannot get from any trail or overlook. You will see the full chain of lakes, the mountains, and likely spot a moose or two from the air.

It is not cheap, but it is one of those experiences that sticks with you. Book in advance during peak summer.

Where to Eat

Rangeley is a small town, but it has some solid options.

Parkside and Main is the best sit-down restaurant in town. Good food, reasonable prices, and they know what they are doing with fish and steak.

The Red Onion has been serving pizza in Rangeley since 1970. It is the local institution. Nothing fancy, just solid pizza in a no-frills setting. If you have been camping for three days and want something hot and cheesy, this is the spot.

Scoops Ice Cream is the post-hike reward. Local flavors, generous portions.

For campground cooking, the IGA grocery store in Rangeley has everything you need for basic camp meals. Grab steaks, corn, and s’mores supplies and cook over the fire.

When to Go

Fall foliage at Rangeley peaks in late September, a full two to three weeks before the coast. The elevation and the mix of hardwoods create one of the best foliage shows in the state. If you can get a site for the last week of September, do it. The daytime temperatures are in the 50s and 60s, the nights are cold (bring a 20F sleeping bag), and the colors reflected on the lake surface are something you will not forget.

Camping Packing List

For a full gear breakdown, see our best camping gear for Maine guide.

Getting There

Rangeley Lake State Park sits on the southern shore of Rangeley Lake, accessed via South Shore Drive in the township of Rangeley. The park is about 2.5 hours from both Portland and Bangor. There are two main approaches to the south shore: either Route 4 from Farmington or Route 17 from Rumford. Both connect to South Shore Drive, which threads along the south side of the lake.

From Portland, take Route 26 north or Route 4 north through Auburn and Farmington, then continue on Route 4 to Oquossoc. Turn onto South Shore Drive and continue 5 miles to the park entrance on the right. From Bangor, head west on Route 2 through Skowhegan and Farmington, then pick up Route 4 north.

From Rumford via Route 17, the scenic drive climbs past the famous Height of Land overlook before descending to the south shore. Turn onto South Shore Drive and continue 3 miles to the park entrance on the left.

All approach roads are paved and handle RVs. Rangeley village, about 10 minutes from the park, has an IGA grocery store, gas, restaurants, and outfitters. The park is open May 1 through early September. Reservations open February 5 at 9 AM through campwithme.com. Waterfront sites sell out fast. After September 14, remaining sites are first-come, first-served. Rangeley sits at 1,500 feet, so nights are consistently cooler than the coast. Drive slowly on Routes 16 and 17 after sunset. Moose are abundant in this region.

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