Rangeley Maine Scenic Photo
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Rangeley & the Rangeley Lakes Region

A travel destination for 150 years, the Rangeley Lakes region is famous for fishing and outdoor recreation amid beautiful lakes and undeveloped ponds, vast conservation lands, and working forests.

While the local economy benefits from timber harvesting, trucking, and related forest stewardship, it’s the Rangeley area’s destination appeal that drives local employment. Population surges from about 1,000 year-round residents to more than 5,000 in the summer with an influx of long-time and newer summer residents and visitors.

Fishing on Rangeley, Mooselookmeguntic, Cupsuptic, Upper and Lower Richardson Lakes and scores of smaller ponds and rivers is a major recreational attraction – and has been for more than 100 years. The area also benefits from a robust network of hiking, paddling, snowmobiling and ATV trails, and the anticipated re-opening of Saddleback Ski area for the 2020-21 season promises to generate even more recreational activity.

Rangeley region also features a high concentration of amenities including 21 restaurants, 4 museums, multiple lodging operations, 5 campgrounds, a movie theater, and a range of downtown retail services.

A 2018 visioning process called Rangeley Connects, generated strong local momentum around the goal of making the Rangeley Region a national leader in capitalizing on outdoor recreation as a driver of improved community health and wellness outcomes.

Other Maine Programs

Community-led conservation protects 978 acres at Tumbledown Dick Mountain

In October 2026, a five-year effort culminated in the permanent conservation of 978 acres of woodlands and wetlands in Gilead, Maine, as Mahoosuc Land Trust took ownership of Tumbledown Dick Mountain.  

Firewood Banks: Neighbors helping neighbors, one cord at a time 

Across the Northern Forest, firewood banks are turning a local resource into affordable heat, stronger communities, and greater energy security. 

Trail crew spending 5 weeks in Maine’s Moosehead Lake Region 

The trail work is implementing one of the core strategies identified in the Moosehead Outdoor Recreation Investment Strategy, developed by the Northern Forest Center and local partners in 2025.

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Staff Contacts

man smiling in front of trees

Mike Wilson

Senior Program Director
Cell: 603-731-0558

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