Located in the western mountains of Maine, the town of Rangeley has been a popular holiday destination for the well-heeled from New York and Philadelphia. The town is well known for being an exclusive vacation spot as well as offering activities for four seasons of the year. But Rangeley is especially famous for its cool mountain climate and abundance of sport fishing.
With a population of just over 1,000 Rangeley is a small town, but this swells to easily over 10,000 during the summer months. Rangeley was established in 1825, by an Englishman, James Rangeley, who opened a saw mill and started the timber industry there. Once a rail link was established in the 1900s, Rangeley became an exclusive vacation spot for the wealthy families of the east coast. Many of these grand old lodges have now been turned into hotels and B&Bs, most offering stunning views and excellent old world service.
Rangeley is nestled in pristine beauty, lying on the eastern shores of Rangeley Lake and surrounded by the mountains of western Maine. The area has over 100 lakes and ponds, making it an amazing oasis of swimming, boating, fishing and other water activities. Days can be spent walking, hiking and kayaking in the summer or skiing and snowshoeing in the winter. Or just simply enjoy the breathtaking vistas.
Highlights
Rangeley Lakes Historical Society: showcases a range of artifacts and historical documents covering the history and traditions of the people of the Rangeley area.****
Wilhelm Reich Museum: is the 175-acre estate of Wilhelm Reich, an Austrian psychiatrist and scientist who made Rangeley his second home; on the estate can be found the Orgone Energy Observatory and a network of woodland nature trails.
Saddleback Mountain: offers some of the best snowboarding and skiing in the area.****
Height of Land: is considered one of the most picturesque areas in Maine and is a stunning scenic lookout on Route 17, between Rangeley and Mooselookmeguntic Lake.
Mooselookmeguntic Lake: is one of the most magnificent of the over 40 lakes in the Rangeley area, covering an area of 16,300 acres.
Union Log Church: was built in 1916 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places; it is constructed entirely of spruce logs and is simply magnificent.
Rangeley Lakes Logging Museum: has a collection of hundreds of artifacts related to the logging industry, everything from snubbing machines to chain saws; the exhibit of art made by the loggers is fascinating.