Your Guide to Exploring the Lakes and Mountains Area of Western Maine
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Explore the Lakes & Mountains Region
Paddle a canoe on a lake or river, hike the Appalachian trail, explore a historic inn, enjoy a color-filled autumn sunset and the ambiance of a country B&B or the rustic settings of a resort by the lake. Western Maine’s Lakes and Mountains region is a vast wilderness waiting to spoil your adventurous side.
Tour the peaceful Lakes and Mountains Region of Western Maine. Each season dramatically unfolds, from the colorful wildflowers of spring to the beautiful waterways and lush hillsides of summer, from the world’s most brilliant fall colors to the stunning, white, snowcapped mountains of winter.
Enjoy outdoor activities like whitewater rafting, downhill skiing, hiking, cross country skiing to loon and moose watching. Linger awhile in our quaint Maine villages and culturally diverse cities and towns. Visit local craftspeople, museums, attractions, fairs and festivals. Pamper yourself with the variety of accommodations and dining establishments.
Seek covered bridges and swimming holes of bygone days in the towns of Bethel, Windham, Fryeburg, Newry, South Andover and Wilsons Mills.
Skiers, check out Shawnee Peak in Bridgton, Sunday River in Newry, Mount Abram in Locke Mills, Lost Valley in Auburn, Saddleback in Rangeley, and Sugarloaf/USA in Kingfield. Cross country skiing, snowmobiling and dog-sledding are other winter adventures offered throughout western Maine.
The Rangeley Lake area has some of the finest snowmobiling in the east with connecting trails to the statewide system, New Hampshire and Canada, with excellent trail grooming, mountain views, trail-side services and exceptional safety features.
The southern region of Maine’s Lakes and Mountains, has Sebago Lake, the state’s second largest lake and several beautiful, smaller lakes and ponds around Naples, Windham, Raymond, Harrison, Bridgton and Fryeburg. At the foothills of the White Mountains, where the Great Ossipee and Saco Rivers converge, you’ll find the picturesque village of Cornish brimming with Maine hospitality.
At the region’s eastern border, Lewiston-Auburn, twin industrial cities with lots of history, await your discovery. Lewiston’s walking tour features 100 stops tracing the city’s history from the early 1800s.
In Livermore, the Norlands Living History Center, spanning 445 acres, is the 19th century home of Israel and Martha Washburn. Among the seven Washburn sons were two Governors, four Congressmen, one U.S. Senator, a Civil War General and a Secretary of State.
Maine’s Western Lakes and Mountains region is casual and charming in all seasons, never forgotten.
Explore the Lakes Region
The Lakes Region of Maine is a real treat in any season. In summer, fresh water awaits you for boating, swimming or paddling a canoe across the beautiful crystal clear waters.
Spring offers some of the finest fishing of land-locked salmon as well as trout and bass. Biking and hiking are perfect ways to get stunning views of the expansive lakes that are surrounded by tree-covered mountains and hillsides. The maples, birches, and oaks surrounding the many lakes, rivers and streams turn to a dazzling blaze of color in Fall, framed between the bright blue water, rolling hills and lighter sky.
As for winter, choose your method of gliding across the frozen lakes on a snowmobile, cross county skis, snowshoes or ice skates. Ice fishing is a treasured pastime, while downhill skiing is a favorite for thrill seekers at local ski areas like Shawnee Peak, which is mirrored by Moose Pond at its base.
This scenic area includes giant Sebago Lake, the second largest body of water in the state. The Abnaki Indians named this body of water Sebago, meaning “large open water.” For a great lakeside campground, Point Sebago has everything you need on vacation including an 18-hole championship golf course.
Long Lake is unique for its connection to Sebago Lake via the Songo River, through a unique lock system dating back to 1830 which is still navigable today and can be seen on a guided cruise aboard the Songo Queen paddleboat. The year round communities of this region are rich in history as well as attractions.
The Jones Museum in Sebago is the only devoted collection of glass and ceramics in the country. Other fascinating tours include the Naples Historical Society, the 1793 Shaker community located in New Gloucester and the Poland Spring bottling plant. Kezar Lake, the Androscoggin and Saco rivers each have special qualities to enjoy along their shores.
Visitors can enjoy the natural resources in preserves like Sebago Lake State Park and the White Mountain National Forest. Lodging in this vacation paradise will suit all styles from camping to lovely inns and lakeside resorts. The plentiful Lakes Region of Maine offers something for everyone, from outdoor sporting to fine dining and shopping artisan craft boutiques.