The Moosehead Lake Region Chamber of Commerce (207-695-2702 or 695-2026) is
open daily through September. Web site: http://www.mooseheadlake.org/.
The Rangeley Chamber of Commerce (800-MT-LAKES) is open Monday through
Saturday. Web site: www.rangeleymaine.com.
I recommend the following places to stay:
In the Moosehead Lake Region: the Birches, where lodging includes yurts and
cabin tents as well as lodge rooms and housekeeping cabins (800-825-WILD). The
Greenville Inn (888-695-6000), Blair Hill Inn (888-918-8880), the Lodge at
Moosehead (207-695-4400), Kineo House Inn (207-534-8812), the Devlin House
(207-695-2229), and The Lakeview House (207-695-3543). The chamber maintains a
long list of sporting camps and lodges. My favorite classic sporting camps are
Little Lyford Camps (radio phone 207-280-0016) and West Branch Pond Camps
(207-695-2561).
In the Rangeley Inn & Motor Lodge (800-MOMENTS or 207-864-3341), rooms are
divided between the main inn and motel-like units on Haley Pond. The Country
Club Inn (207-864-3831) overlooks both Rangeley Lake and a public 18-hole
golf course. All three meals are included in traditional sporting camps such
as Bald Mountain Camps (207-864-3671) on Lake Mooselookmeguntic Lake, which
offers horseback riding and tennis as well as a beach and boats. The Chamber
of Commerce is a source of many housekeeping cottages and condos.
Camping:
Lily Bay State Park (207-695-2700), eight miles north of
Greenville, and Rangeley Lake State Park (207-864-3858) offer camping and
wilderness. Numerous campsites are scattered throughout both areas.
Upcoming event:
Aug. 12, from 10 a.m to 3 p.m., Sporting Heritage Day,
Rangeley Town Park (on the lake) will include fly-fishing demonstrations, more
than 50 of Carrie Stevens's flies and ''Flyrod'' Crosby's canoe paddle and
fly rod.
Directions:
I suggest you split a week between Maine's Great Lakes. You
might take the Maine Turnpike to Exit 12 and Route 4 north to Route 108 to
Mexico, then Route 17 (one of my favorite roads anywhere) north through Byron
(stop at Coos Canyon, a great picnic site, said to be the first place in
America anyone panned for gold), on up to Height of Land, on down through
Oquossoc into Rangeley. From Rangeley, take Route 4 south through Phillips
(stop at Small's Falls along the way) and Route 149 to 234 to 201A (this is
short and scenic) to Route 201A to Route 201, which follows the Kennebec
River up through the Forks -- where I recommend stopping to sample white-water
rafting (call Raft Maine: 800-723-8633). Continue on to Jackman and across
Route 15 to Rockwood, on down to Greenville, and home. This is a spectacular
foliage route. From Boston, it takes roughly four hours to reach Rangeley and
five to drive directly to Greenville.
