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What to do at Rangeley Lake State Park

While the protected and preserved portion of the lake--the state park--is 869 acres, Rangeley Lake itself is nine miles long. Its clear waters are a fisherman’s heaven, with landlocked salmon and trout (rainbow, brook, lake and brown). Be aware of the strong catch-and-release policies that keep the populations large and active. Smallmouth and largemouth bass are found here, along with lake whitefish, splake and arctic charr.

If you want to get out on the lake for something less motorized, canoeing and kayaking are embraced by campers at Rangeley Lake. They can make for a quiet and calm fishing expedition in some of the smaller inlets and cove, or they can just be a joy unto themselves.

Campers with an eye for wildlife photography will find much to capture in Rangeley, as the state park is frequented by white-tail deer and moose. Birders will easily spot the region’s mascot, the loon, which is seemingly everywhere across the lake.

When camping in the winter, snowshoeing and ice fishing are popular, and snowmobiling is a thriving activity if you go just outside the state park. (During the summer months, crossing out of the park and into the commercialized area also offers ATV trails.)

As a precaution, Rangeley Lake is cold and winds can arise suddenly. Always be prepared with a life vest, even close to shore, and notify someone at camp when you’re leaving and when you plan to return.

Rangeley is a particularly important state park that seeks to protect an area that has been exploited and commercialized for more than a century and a half. But through careful conservation methods, this state park can be preserved and maintained for the enjoyment of campers for generations to come.