Western Lakes & Mountains Region, ME

An extension of the White Mountains, Maine’s Western Lakes & Mountains Region offers a full palette of outdoor sports for every season, from mountain biking, hiking, fishing, and camping in spring and summer to skiing, snowshoeing, and snowmobiling in winter. All manner of watersports can be enjoyed on the region’s six major lakes and numerous ponds, and there’s whitewater paddling and rafting on the rivers.

Fishing options abound. Rangeley Lake State Park consists of 869 remote acres on the 10-square-mile lake, which is famous for its landlocked salmon and brook trout. Many local rivers also offer fly fishing opportunities for these coveted species.

The Saddleback and Sugarloaf Mountain ski areas are popular downhill ski and snowboarding, and there are plenty of cross-country ski and snowshoe trails throughout the region. In the warm seasons, fishing, canoeing, kayaking and tubing are available in these same areas.

Another prime spot for outdoor adventure is the 3,000-acre Grafton Notch State Park, between Newry and Upton, where you can hike 3,000 acres of beautiful terrain. Highlights include Screw Auger Falls, Mother Walker Falls, Moose Cave, and Spruce Meadow. The Appalachian Trail passes through the park on the way to its northern terminus at Mount Katahdin.

Between Naples and South Casco is Sebago Lake State Park, featuring sandy beaches, extensive woodlands, swimming, fishing, camping, paddling, and boating. The 250-site campground at the mouth of the winding Songo River is popular with families and children. The lake itself is a vast boater’s playground, and the fishing for salmon and lake trout is world-class.


Fryeburg, one of the oldest towns in the region, is best known for its large fall agricultural fair, but a visit to the town also makes a fine day trip. Fryeburg boasts 11 buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places and 12 public parks, which offer picnicking, bird watching, swimming, tennis, or fishing. A popular activity in Fryeburg is paddling or tubing on the slow-moving Saco River. A short hike up Jockey Cap Trail near Fryeburg gives visitors a view of dozens of distant peaks.