Things to Do

The Maine rule: always call first. Hours, seasons, and schedules in rural Maine change without notice — before driving anywhere, a quick phone call saves the day. And ask about payment while you’re at it: plenty of places up here are still cash-only.

The better equipped you are, the better the week — so here is our family’s guide to this corner of Western Maine, gathered over sixty years of summers. (There’s a big white loose-leaf notebook at the Lodge with even more ideas and brochures.)

Right around the Lodge

• Walk Lake Drive — past the Homestead — the farmhouse with the big red barn where Rob and his sister Laura grew up (Laura owns it today) — and look for beaver works near Clear Stream Road. For a beautiful little waterfall, keep on to the junction of Lake Drive and Staples Pond Road: an old logging road leads out from that same intersection, largely grown up now but perfectly walkable. About a quarter mile down it you’ll come to a bridge over a little stream — cross it, take a right, and head downstream, and you’ll come upon the falls almost at once, by the old logging-camp site where Rob camped with his dad as a boy. (The photo in our gallery of kids sitting right at the top of a waterfall was taken there.) And directly across from Clear Stream Road, another woods road leads up past the Bull family Tree Farm sign — about a thousand feet along you’ll come to the quiet little Bull Family Cemetery, where Rob’s father Robert Logan and brother Steve rest. Visitors are welcome.
• Maine Local Living School — our neighbors Chris and Ashirah have homesteaded off-the-grid for over twenty years — on land that once belonged to Robert Logan Bull, who sold it to them for exactly this purpose — teaching people to live off the land; you’ll pass their sign (and their telephone-pole phone!) on Lake Drive. They often run one-off classes for Lodge guests (groups of any size) — anything from making a wooden spoon from scratch to guided nature walks where they help you identify the trees, mosses, and other flora and fauna all around you. Both are truly experts in the natural world and in living in harmony with it — and off of it. It’s well worth going down to see what they’ve built: the animals, the orchard, the gardens, and their interns at work. (207) 778-0318.
• The canoe circuit — paddle left from the dock past an abandoned beaver house to the marsh where moose visit at dawn and dusk, around to the cove with the loons’ floating nest (please keep well back — 250 feet — especially when she’s on eggs), past the peninsula where Rob’s childhood treehouse stood, and around by the Homestead back to the dock.
• Fish Santa Claus Lake — right off the dock or from a kayak: the lake is stocked with brown trout, and also holds pickerel, horned pout (brown bullhead — a small catfish), and smelt. Simply ask us if you’d like guidance on when, where, or how to catch them. You’ll need a Maine fishing license — buy one online in minutes from Maine IF&W.
• Ride the trails — ATVs and side-by-sides can head out right from the Lodge on the Temple Trail Riders club network. Stop by across from the little red schoolhouse on the Intervale for a trail map — and just ask us: we’ll happily point you to the property’s own trails you can ride. (Bringing your own machine? Maine requires state registration — even if it’s already registered back home.)
• Wildlife to watch for — moose (try Zeb’s Pond off Day Mountain Road at dusk), beaver, otter, mink, porcupine, deer, loons, hummingbirds at the porch feeder, luna moths, and fish: the lake is stocked with brown trout, and also holds pickerel (a smaller cousin of the northern pike), horned pout (brown bullhead — a small catfish), and smelt. And yes, black bears — see the Rules page for food and trash guidance.

The Height of Land Loop — our signature day trip

One glorious loop (about 105 miles; give it the whole day) that strings together the best of the region. Head out through Fairbanks — Day Mountain Road to Avon is permanently closed, so the way north is via Fairbanks and Route 4. From there: the Sandy River & Rangeley Lakes Narrow Gauge Railroad in Phillips (about 40 minutes away — check ahead for running days), then Smalls Falls for a swim or the short hike up along the falls, an overlook of Rangeley Lake, lunch or ice cream in downtown Rangeley (the Pine Tree Frosty!), the easy drive up Quill Hill for views to Sugarloaf and into Canada, a lunch stop in Oquossoc, then down Route 17 to the famous Height of Land overlook and the short side trip to Angel Falls, Coos Canyon in Byron (yes, you can pan for gold), the direct dirt road east to a ten-minute scenic-overlook hike at Mt. Blue State Park (unpaved but fine for cars), and dinner at Calzolaio Pasta Co. in Wilton — from where it’s a straight shot home to the Lodge, no Farmington required. Turn-by-turn directions are in the Lodge notebook.

Printable turn-by-turn directions: Lodge to the Phillips railroad (PDF) · the full loop from the railroad (PDF) — both are also in the Lodge notebook.

Waterfalls

• Smalls Falls (Route 4, toward Rangeley) — park and look, hike to the top, or do what our boys love: work along the rocks at the bottom to the swimming spot. The brave jump from the outcropping into the deep pool.
• Angel Falls (Township D) — one of our favorites. Bring water shoes: there are six stream crossings round trip, and after rain you’ll be glad to have them.
• Moxie Falls (The Forks) — gorgeous falls and an easier walk than Angel Falls (good with a baby or young children). The drive there is beautiful, too.
• Reed Brook Falls, “the Jericho Steps” (Kingfield) — a well-maintained, signed trail to an impressive falls.
• Coos Canyon (Byron) — a scenic gorge where you can swim and pan for gold. The sign outside the gift shop reads: “Gold bought, sold and lied about here.”

Mountains & views

• Quill Hill (Rangeley) — not to be missed. Breathtaking mountaintop views you can simply drive to, with picnic tables at the summit. Catch a sunset and bring your own wine and cheese — perfect when little ones aren’t up for a big hike. Road conditions and open/closed updates are posted on their Facebook page.
• Mt. Blue State Park (Weld) — the climb up Mt. Blue is a rewarding three-hour hike; there’s also a short, gentle scenic overlook walk with lovely views of Webb Lake and the mountains. The park’s Webb Lake beach is a beautiful sandy beach with a great playground — day visitors welcome.
• Tumbledown Mountain (Weld) — a classic hike with an alpine pond just below the summit that you can swim in. The Brook Trail is the family-friendly route (longer but easier); the Loop Trail is shorter and harder.
• Sugarloaf scenic lift rides (Carrabassett Valley, ~45 min) — ride the Whiffletree chairlift up and over the bike park (Thursday–Sunday in summer, about 15 minutes each way); ride back down or wander the service road. On Sunday mornings the Sugarloaf Area Christian Ministry worships at 9:00 at the Richard Bell Chapel on the mountain — and in past summers has held services mid-mountain at the AMP amphitheater, reached by chairlift. Call (207) 237-2304 to see where they’re gathering.
• Sunday River’s Chondola (Newry, ~1 hr 10 min) — a gorgeous scenic ride to the very top of North Peak, in open six-person chairs or enclosed gondola cabins (Thursday–Sunday in summer; dogs ride free), with views across the Mahoosucs to Old Speck. In winter, their ministry even holds a 10 AM Sunday service on the snow at the top.

Hiking — our family’s ranked list

These are the hikes we recommend to guests again and again, ranked the way our family actually ranks them. Trailhead lots fill by mid-morning on summer weekends, so start early — and pack water, bug spray, and a headlamp just in case.

1. Angel Falls (Township D, ~40 min) — our family’s favorite hike. One of Maine’s tallest waterfalls (about 90 feet), reached by an easy-to-moderate walk of about a mile round trip. A beautiful stream the whole way, manageable for most families, and wonderful photography — especially after spring rains. Bring water shoes for the stream crossings.
2. Tumbledown Mountain (Weld, ~35 min) — the must-do. One of the iconic hikes in Maine: a spectacular alpine pond sitting just below the summit, outstanding views, swimming, and scenery you will not forget. Moderate to difficult depending on your route — the Brook Trail is the friendliest way up; the Loop Trail is only for the sure-footed.
3. Mount Blue (Weld, ~30 min) — 3.2 miles round trip, moderate. A steady climb to a restored fire tower with an observation platform and panoramic mountain views, inside an excellent state park. Beautiful in autumn.
4. Bald Mountain (Weld, ~20 min) — 2 miles round trip, moderate. The best “bang for your buck” hike in our corner of Maine: a short, steadily steep climb to magnificent summit views. Perfect if you only have a couple of hours. (The former trail beyond the summit toward Saddleback Wind has been closed — turn around at the top.)
5. Bigelow Preserve (Stratton, ~60 min) — a premier 36,000-acre wilderness with hikes from moderate to strenuous, including two 4,000-footers. Some of the best wilderness scenery in New England; best for experienced hikers.
6. Tumbledown Pond via the Brook Trail (same trailhead as #2) — skip the summit and hike only to the alpine pond: the easiest route in the Tumbledown network, and perfect for swimming and a picnic with kids.
7. Little Jackson Mountain (Weld, ~35 min) — about 7.5 miles round trip, strenuous. Taller than Tumbledown, with a bare 360-degree summit looking straight down on Tumbledown Pond — and far fewer people.
8. Blueberry Mountain (Weld, ~30 min) — about 2.5 miles round trip. A shorter hike with rewarding views of Tumbledown, Little Jackson, Bald, and Mt. Blue — a great half-day outing. Park in the marked lot just before the Bible-camp buildings and stay on the trail (the lower section crosses private land).
9. Saddleback Mountain (Rangeley, ~60 min) — in summer, hike from the base lodge or ride the chairlift and walk the alpine ridge (lifts usually spin on weekends — check their mountain report first). Spectacular Rangeley-region vistas; the Appalachian Trail runs right across the summit.
10. French Mountain (Belgrade Lakes, ~60 min) — an easy 0.8-mile loop to open ledges above Long Pond and the Belgrade Lakes: an outstanding overlook for a relatively short climb. Pairs well with a farm-stand run to Berry Fruit Farm.

With kids: Angel Falls, Blueberry Mountain, Bald Mountain, Mount Blue, and Tumbledown Pond (skip the summit). Bucket-list days: the Tumbledown summit, the Bigelow Range, Little Jackson, Saddleback — and Katahdin, just below. Want more? Maine Trail Finder maps hundreds of trails across the state.

Two more easy wins: the Center Hill Nature Trail at Mt. Blue State Park — a half-mile loop with big views over Webb Lake, perfect for small children and grandparents — and the other Bald Mountain, the one in Oquossoc (~1 hr), a moderate 2.3-mile network with lovely views over the Rangeley lakes.

Big hiking day trips — Acadia, Katahdin & the Appalachian Trail

Three trips that take real planning — and repay every minute of it. All three are long days, so check the weather, book what needs booking, and leave early.

Acadia National Park & Cadillac Mountain (~3 hrs each way)

Acadia makes a classic full-day loop from the Lodge: the 27-mile Park Loop Road, Sand Beach, Thunder Hole, popovers on the lawn at Jordan Pond House (a tradition since 1893), and the drive up Cadillac Mountain — at 1,530 feet the highest point on the U.S. Atlantic coast, and from early October to early March the first place in the country to see the sun rise. Book two things before you go: a park entrance pass ($35 per vehicle, good for seven days — pre-purchase it online), and, from late May through late October, a separate Cadillac Summit Road vehicle reservation ($6 — most are released just two days ahead at 10 a.m. Eastern, and sunrise slots go quickly).

Baxter State Park & Mt. Katahdin (~3–3½ hrs each way)

In our family’s opinion this is the best hike in Maine — even better than Angel Falls — but it is very intense. Katahdin is Maine’s highest peak (5,269 feet) and the northern end of the Appalachian Trail; every route up is an 8-to-12-hour, roughly 9-to-11-mile round trip with about 4,000 feet of climbing, and the famous Knife Edge is not for the faint of heart. Save it for older kids and fit grown-ups, and plan ahead: reserve a Katahdin Trailhead Pass ($10, on sale April 1 for the whole summer; not needed in May), non-Maine plates pay $20 at the gate (Maine plates free), and you must be in line with your pass by 7 a.m. or it’s forfeited — which is why many people sleep in Millinocket the night before. The mountain is typically open from late May or early June to mid-October.

Hike a piece of the Appalachian Trail (~50 min)

The AT crosses Route 4 about nine miles south of Rangeley — right on your way up — with a parking lot at the crossing. From there it’s a moderate walk to Piazza Rock, an enormous granite slab cantilevered out of the cliff with trees growing on top (about 3.6 miles round trip; add the boulder caves just beyond for a little over 4). And here’s the payoff: you get to say you’ve hiked part of the Appalachian Trail — 282 miles of it run through Maine, its wildest state, and Rangeley is an official A.T. Community. Strong legs can push on to Saddleback’s summit (about 11.5 miles round trip, a strenuous full day). The trail also crosses Route 17 at the Height of Land overlook on our loop drive, so you can step onto the AT there, too.

Rails, trails, lakes & rivers

• Sandy River & Rangeley Lakes Railroad (Phillips, ~40 min) — ride a genuine narrow-gauge steam railroad. Check their schedule; runs are often weekends only.
• ATV & side-by-side riding — ride from the Lodge itself on the Temple Trail Riders club network, which connects to Maine’s statewide trail system. Trail maps and more information are available directly across the road from the little red schoolhouse on the Intervale in Temple — you passed it on your way in to the Lodge. Renting? See ATV & side-by-side rentals below. Bringing your own? Maine law requires ATVs and side-by-sides to be registered with the State of Maine — even for out-of-state visitors whose machines are registered at home.
• Biking — the Whistle Stop Rail Trail runs through Farmington, Wilton and Jay; or plan a mountain-bike route on the ATV trail maps in the Lodge notebook.
• Pontoon boat & jet-ski rentals — Lakeside Convenience & Marina on Rangeley Lake (207-864-5888 — ask for Paul, he’s great!); Dingley’s Wharf on Long Lake in Naples (207-693-5253 — boat to the little deli at the far end for lunch); Brightside Marine on Great Pond in the Belgrades (207-495-3680; full-day rentals). No boating license needed in Maine.

Whitewater rafting & kayaking

About an hour and a quarter north, The Forks — where the Dead River meets the Kennebec — is Maine’s whitewater capital: dam-released water all summer long, so the rapids run big even in August. Northern Outdoors is the premier outfitter — in our experience the best and safest — but there are plenty of good ones:

• Northern Outdoors — The Forks · (207) 663-4466 — our first choice. Rafting Maine’s rivers since 1976: the Kennebec, the Dead, and the mighty Penobscot, plus lazy-river tubing for the little ones — and a full resort with cabins and their own Kennebec River Brewery for afterward.
• Three Rivers Whitewater — West Forks · (207) 663-2104 — all three rivers plus inflatable-kayak trips, tube rentals for family floats, and their own lodging.
• Crab Apple Whitewater — West Forks · (800) 553-7238 — family-owned since 1983: Kennebec and Dead River trips, inflatable kayaks, riverside lodging with a heated pool.
• North Country Rivers — Bingham · (800) 348-8871 — the closest outfitter to the Lodge: rafting on all three rivers, inflatable “Funyaks,” cabins, and an on-site restaurant.
• Moxie Outdoor Adventures — The Forks · (800) 866-6943 — Kennebec, Dead, and Penobscot trips plus tubing; a long-time favorite for youth groups.
• Adventure Bound — Caratunk · (207) 672-4300 — built for families and youth groups: rafting plus ropes courses and rock climbing on a 40-acre riverside campus, and the only Kennebec outfitter with a strict no-alcohol policy.

Prefer calm water? There’s a kayak for everyone — kids included — waiting at the Lodge dock.

ATV & side-by-side rentals

You can ride straight from the Lodge on the Temple Trail Riders network (see above, and the Rules page for the details). If you’d rather rent machines for a day:

• Northern Outdoors — The Forks · (207) 663-4466 — the best: late-model Polaris ATVs plus two- and four-seat side-by-sides, half or full day, with hundreds of miles of trails from their door (season roughly late May to early October).
• MVA Maine — 2770 Main St, Rangeley · (207) 305-5233 — our second pick. Pricier, but here’s the move: rent a side-by-side and ride it to the top of Quill Hill — it is worth the cost. (The summit road is open roughly late May to mid-October; MVA can confirm conditions.)

Fairs & festivals

Maine agricultural fairs are a genuine family tradition, and late summer around the Lodge is fair season. Our advice, plain and simple: if you can only do one, make it Fryeburg. The easiest classic local fair is Farmington, the big historic one is Skowhegan, and the most unusual is Common Ground. Dates below are for 2026 — they change every year, so check the fair’s site before you drive, and carry some cash: rural fairground card readers can’t always be trusted.

1. Fryeburg Fair — October 4–11 · Fryeburg · (207) 935-3268 · ~2 hrs 15 min — the best fair in Maine, worth planning a full day around: a true New England agricultural fair with livestock, horse and ox pulls, crafts, concerts, harness racing, and a major midway.
2. Farmington Fair — September 20–26 · Farmington · (207) 778-6083 · ~20 min — our local favorite: a good midway, livestock, harness racing, demolition derby, and classic county-fair food, all twenty minutes from the Lodge.
3. Skowhegan State Fair — August 13–22 · Skowhegan · (207) 474-2947 · ~1 hr — the nation’s oldest consecutively running agricultural fair (since 1818): big, historic, and full of things to do.
4. Common Ground Country Fair — September 25–27 · Unity · ~1 hr 10 min — no carnival rides, and that’s the point: demonstrations, artisans, heritage livestock, rural skills, and wonderful farm food — a uniquely Maine day out.
5. Litchfield Fair — September 11–13 · Litchfield · ~1 hr 20 min — a very good traditional fair with rides, livestock, and pulling events; a strong family choice.
6. Wilton Blueberry Festival — August 7–8 (always the first Friday and Saturday of August) · Wilton · ~20 min — a delightful small-town celebration of Maine wild blueberries: parade, crafts, food, and children’s activities. Updates on Facebook.
7. Windsor Fair — August 29–September 7 · Windsor · ~1 hr 40 min — a large, established fair with woodsmen events, harness racing, and a full family program.
8. Topsham Fair — August 11–16 · Topsham · ~1 hr 35 min — a sound traditional fair; worth it if you’re already headed toward the coast.

Fairs run rain or shine — bring shoes that can handle mud. The full statewide schedule is at the Maine Association of Agricultural Fairs.

Small-town charm & rainy days

• Downtown Farmington — a classic Maine college town, about ten minutes away: shops, cafes, and Gifford’s famous ice cream stand.
• Narrow Gauge Cinema (Farmington) — some of the least expensive movie tickets you’ll ever see, plus their own drive-in screen; the Skowhegan Drive-In (running since the 1950s) makes a fun evening too.
• Meadow Lanes (Wilton, 207-778-6078) — bowling; and in Rangeley, Moose Alley rolls bowling, pool, and genuinely good food under one roof.
• Nordica Homestead Museum (Farmington) — birthplace of Lillian Nordica, the Maine farm girl who became a world-famous opera star: her costumes, and gifts from Alexander Graham Bell and Queen Victoria. Call ahead for an appointment.
• Washburn-Norlands Living History Center (Livermore, 207-897-4963) — really worth seeing: step into 19th-century Maine on a working historic farm. As a young man Rob worked here, training the oxen and working in the barns.
• Blue Moon Clay Carvers (Farmington, 207-491-9803) — the gallery of Roger Bisaillon, Rob’s high-school art teacher, who made the portrait of the Lodge hanging near our kitchen. Shop his work or commission a piece — and tell Roger we sent you!
• The Wire Bridge (New Portland) — a 150-year-old engineering marvel you can picnic beside and drive across (it moves!).
• Origin Factory Store (Farmington, ~10 min) — the retail store of Origin, the Maine company that makes denim, boots, and rugged apparel (and jiu-jitsu gear) entirely in America, right here in Farmington. Worth a stop for anyone who loves genuinely American-made goods.
• Titcomb Mountain (West Farmington) — the very family-friendly local ski and cross-country hill, fun to visit in fall too.
• Stanley Museum (Kingfield, ~35 min) — original Stanley Steamer automobiles and the story of the remarkable twins who built them.
• Maine Forestry Museum (Rangeley, ~1 hr) — the region’s logging heritage: tools, equipment, and stories from the great river-drive days.
• Outdoor Heritage Museum (Oquossoc, ~1 hr) — Rangeley’s sporting history: fishing, guides, and the old camps. Pair it with the Rangeley History Museum (2472 Main St) — free admission, in a 1905 bank building with the original vault.
• Maine Ski & Snowboard Museum (Carrabassett Valley, ~45 min) — a fine Sugarloaf-day add-on.
• Maine State Museum (Augusta, ~1 hr) — a must for Maine history after it reopens October 24, 2026, from a top-to-bottom renovation.
• Libraries — the Farmington Public Library and Wilton Free Public Library are lovely rainy-morning stops (wifi and children’s programs); UMF’s Mantor Library, the Maine State Library and Lithgow Library in Augusta, and small-town gems in Phillips and Rangeley round out the list.

Massage

When you want to unknot after a hike or the long drive up, three local therapists our guests rave about:

• Mountain Heart Massage — Elm Street area, Farmington (~10 min) — Swedish, deep tissue, sports, and neuromuscular therapy, with a good local reputation. (207) 305-5880.
• Radiant Aura Massage Studio — 343 Main St, Wilton (~20 min) — deep-tissue and therapeutic work with Nina, widely praised for pain relief and for really listening to what your body needs; a calm space above the hardware store (use the right-side entrance). Book online through their site or Setmore.
• Serenity Holistic Massage — 131 Court St, Farmington (~10 min) — Emily Bilodeau, LMT, in practice since 2006: custom sessions from pure relaxation to therapeutic bodywork (including craniosacral and polarity), with standout reviews for fascia, IT-band, and sciatic relief. By appointment: (207) 779-6671.

Hair, nails & tanning

Heading somewhere nice and want to look the part — or just due for a trim? The local spots our guests turn to:

Hair & nails

• Medulla Hair and Nail Studio (Farmington, ~10 min) — a full-service salon for hair, nails, and facial waxing, with stylists who keep their training current; a good choice for a combined appointment. Book on Booksy.
• Root 2 Salon & Spa (Wilton, ~20 min) — hair (cuts, color, balayage, highlights), nails, esthetics, and spa services in a relaxed setting, and the closest to the Lodge. (207) 645-2438, or book through GlossGenius.
• Curl Up & Dye — 141 Pleasant St, Farmington (~10 min) — a well-liked all-arounder for hair and nails (with a bit of tanning, too).
• Suite One Salon (Farmington, ~10 min) — highly rated for hair.
• Hair Razor (Farmington, ~10 min) — a busy all-in-one salon with several stylists.
• Hair Designs Unlimited (near UMF, Farmington, ~10 min) — multiple stylists and up-to-date styles for all ages.
• Pro Nails — 471 Wilton Rd, Farmington (~10 min) — dedicated nail care: manicures, pedicures, gels, and acrylics.

Just a haircut

• Broadway Barber Shop (Farmington, ~10 min) — the best inexpensive men’s haircut around; by appointment.

Tanning

• Platinum Tanning — 473 Wilton Rd, Farmington (~10 min) — our pick: high-end beds and booths, a good range of lotions, clean and updated equipment, and excellent service; guests who’ve tried the others call it the best in the Farmington/Wilton area.
• Sizzle Tanning Salon — 855 US-2 E, Wilton (~20 min) — tanning plus hair and nails, a handy one-stop close to Temple.

Golf

Western and Central Maine hide some genuinely excellent golf, ranked here by our recommendation. The closest course is only half an hour away — and remember the Maine rule: call before you drive.

• Belgrade Lakes Golf Club — Belgrade Lakes · (207) 495-4653 · ~41 mi / ~55 min · 18 holes · driving range. Our top pick: one of New England’s premier public courses (Clive Clark design) — immaculate conditioning, dramatic elevation, spectacular lake views.
• Sunday River Golf Club — 18 Championship Dr, Newry · (207) 824-4653 · ~57 mi / ~1 hr 10 min · 18 holes · driving range. Robert Trent Jones Jr. championship course; mountain golf at its finest.
• Sugarloaf Golf Club — Carrabassett Valley · (207) 237-6812 · ~32 mi / ~45 min · 18 holes · driving range. Robert Trent Jones Jr. design with famous elevation changes — one of the Northeast’s great alpine courses.
• Natanis Golf Course — Webber Pond Rd, Vassalboro · (207) 622-3561 · ~45 mi / ~1 hr · 36 holes (two 18-hole courses) · driving range. Maine’s largest public golf complex, with restaurant and pro shop.
• Lakewood Golf Course — Madison · (207) 474-5955 · ~38 mi / ~50 min · 18 holes. Historic course near Skowhegan — terrific traditional value.
• Wilson Lake Country Club — Wilton · (207) 645-2016 · ~22 mi / ~30 min · 9 holes. A classic 1932 Wayne Stiles course above Wilson Lake — the closest to the Lodge, very Maine, with a friendly clubhouse and excellent greens.
• Waterville Country Club — Oakland · (207) 465-9861 · ~36 mi / ~50 min · 18 holes · driving range. Traditional parkland layout in consistently excellent condition.
• Mingo Springs Golf Course — Rangeley · (207) 864-5021 · ~48 mi / ~1 hr · 18 holes. Beautiful, relaxed mountain golf with scenic fairways — pair it with a Rangeley day.
• The Meadows Golf Club — Litchfield · (207) 268-3000 · ~58 mi / ~1 hr 10 min · 18 holes · driving range. Friendly public course with Doolin’s Pub on site.

Fishing & hunting guides

Maine’s Registered Guides are the real thing — and this region has some of the best. Our own favorite comes first.

• Rangeley Lakes Fishing Charters (Oquossoc) — our favorite, from personal experience: landlocked salmon, lake trout, and brook trout with a guide who consistently puts you on fish.
• Ironbound Outdoors — The Forks · (207) 747-0221 · ~55 mi. One of Maine’s premier guide operations: fishing plus bear, moose, deer, and turkey.
• Maineiac Outfitter — ~58 mi. Full-service outfitter with an outstanding reputation for fishing, waterfowl, and big game.
• Maine Upland Guide Service — Jackman · ~60 mi. Among the premier upland-bird guides in the state (grouse and woodcock, with excellent dogs), plus bear, moose, and deer.
• Bounty Hunter Guide Services — ~30 mi. Among the closest to the Lodge: trout, salmon, and bass with excellent personal attention.
• Western Mountains Fly Fishing — ~45 mi. The pick for fly-fishing instruction and walk-and-wade trips around Rangeley.
• Rangeley Region Sports Shop — Rangeley · ~1 hr. Guided fly fishing straight from the town’s fly shop: small ponds, streams, and drift trips for brook trout and landlocked salmon.
• Spruce Mountain Lodge & Guide Service — Strong · ~45 mi. Long-established hunting guide (deer, bear, turkey, upland birds) with lodging available.
• Woody’s Guide Service — ~40 mi. Personalized deer, bear, and moose hunts.
• Wild Wings Guide Service — Solon · ~30 mi. Good local choice for grouse, woodcock, and turkey.

Ask us when you book — we’re glad to help you connect with the right guide for your group and season.

Churches

Many of our guests like to worship while they’re here, and this corner of Maine is rich in welcoming congregations. Our own warm recommendation is Calvary Hill Baptist Church in the Wilton/Jay area (about 20 minutes) — Pastor Barry is terrific: strong Biblical preaching and a genuinely warm fellowship. Sunday school, morning and evening services, and Wednesday Bible study; check chbc.me for this week’s times.

Baptist & Bible churches nearby (service times change — the Maine rule applies to churches too, so verify before you go):

• Bean’s Corner Baptist Church — 17 Chesterville Rd, Jay · (207) 645-2925 · ~30 min. Long-established Baptist church; Sunday services 8:00 and 10:30 AM.
• Farmington Baptist Church — 194 Whittier Rd, Farmington · (207) 779-0731 · ~25 min. Friendly evangelical church with a livestream; worship Sunday 10:30 AM.
• New Hope Baptist Church — 268 Perham St, Farmington · (207) 778-6393 · ~25 min. Traditional schedule: Sunday school 9:30, worship 10:45, evening 6:00.
• Wayside Bible Baptist Church — 1724 Federal Rd, Livermore · (207) 897-2598 · ~35 min. Sunday 9:00 AM & 6:00 PM, Wednesday 6:30 PM.
• Western Mountains Baptist Church — 928 Carrabassett Rd, New Portland · (207) 265-2557 · ~45 min. Excellent reputation.
• Mountain View Bible Church — Church St, New Vineyard · (207) 652-2267 · ~25 min. Small, Bible-centered congregation.
• Living Waters Assembly of God — 547 Wilton Rd, Farmington · (207) 778-6190 · ~25 min. Evangelical Pentecostal.
• Crossroads Bible Church — 705 White School House Rd, Madison · (207) 474-7178 · ~1 hr. Non-denominational.
• Henderson Memorial Baptist Church — 110 Academy St, downtown Farmington · (207) 778-2163 · ~25 min. Worship Sunday 9:30 AM.

• Church on the mountain: the Sugarloaf Area Christian Ministry holds Sunday worship at 9:00 AM year-round at the Richard Bell Chapel at Sugarloaf, with outdoor services in summer — in past years even mid-mountain at the AMP amphitheater, reached by chairlift — and an on-snow “Downhill Worship” in winter. Call (207) 237-2304 to confirm the week’s location. And in winter, Sunday River’s ministry gathers at 10 AM at the top of the Chondola, on skis.

Catholic parishes:

• St. Joseph Catholic Church — 133 Middle St, Farmington · (207) 778-2778 · ~25 min. The closest parish: Sunday Mass 10:30 AM and 5:00 PM; verify times.
• St. Rose of Lima — 1 Church St, Jay · (207) 897-2173 · ~30 min. Saturday vigil 4:00 PM, Sunday 8:30 AM.
• St. Athanasius — 126 Maine Ave, Rumford · (207) 364-4556 · ~45 min. Handy if you’re exploring the western mountains.
• St. Theresa’s — 35 Church St, Oakland · ~55 min.
• St. Augustine — 75 Northern Ave, Augusta · ~1 hr. Cathedral parish for the Augusta area, Saturday vigil and Sunday morning Mass.
• St. Mary of the Assumption — 41 Western Ave, Augusta · ~1 hr. Sunday Masses 7:00 and 9:00 AM.
• Traditional Latin Mass — the closest is the Basilica of Saints Peter & Paul in Lewiston (~1 hr 15 min), Sundays at 8:00 AM (St. Joseph Oratory in Portland also offers one, Sundays at 10:30 AM); see the diocesan Latin Mass page for the current schedule.

…and there is much more. Ask us — we love helping guests plan their week.