I feel the need to preface all of my nature reviews with this: being 90% forested and having around…read more3500 miles of coastline, Maine (and NH) has a tremendous amount of spaces, walkways, paths, and trails of all kinds and of all levels. There's something for everyone. What I'm reviewing is how a spot compares to similar outdoor spots in my personal opinion. Being in nature - and remembering to carry in, carry out - is always five stars! :) Parking? Yes. Loop trail? No. Well marked signs? Yes. Element of surprise? Yes. Heads-up: to even access the parking lot, you'll need to drive down some seriously rough back roads. Maine back roads. You've been warned. Admittedly, this was one of the most difficult hikes I have ever done (to date). It's a (give or take) 3,187' elevation done in about 1.5 miles. Yeah. Let that sink in. It's an out-and-back vertical rock scramble. It's very steep, it's very rocky and it stays that way from the very beginning to the very end. We saw on multiple different hiking websites that "experienced, athletic hikers can make this aggressive climb in 1.5 to 2 hours." We got there at around 4:30pm and left around 8pm (and we were hustling down the mountain at the end because we didn't want to be up there in the dark after having seen a lot of fresh moose scat). We were shocked to see people just starting their climb as we were coming down! "Are we almost there?" one person asked... The answer? No, no you're not. And that's the story of Mt Blue. Just when you think you're almost to the summit... you're not. "Let's just push forward for five more minutes." VERTICAL ROCK SCRAMBLE. "Okay, just another five minutes." MORE VERTICAL ROCK SCRAMBLING. "Five more minutes and then we'll turn around." VERTICAL ROCK SCRAMBLING FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE. When we had reached our absolute physical breaking point we really did go "just five more minutes"... and reached the summit, which offered some of the most spectacular, most rewarding views I have ever seen in Maine. At the top is an old fire tower that you can climb (there are a few levels of stairs; it sways ever so slightly in the wind, so people who get motion sickness or have fear of heights, heads-up), but from there you can see panoramic views of the picturesque, seemingly endless, nearby mountains and lakes. It was one of the most breathtaking scenic summits I have ever experienced or witnessed; Maine in absolutely all of her glory and beauty and impressiveness.

Holy moly! That my friend is a hike to do. Not only does it boast a gorgeous 360 view atop the…read moreobservation tower, it also gives you a workout that you will physically remember...for days. As part of my hike 40 different Maine mountains, I figured this was a good one to add to my list.(This was 36 if you were wondering) I hit up the google maps for direction and got myself within a few miles when I turned it off and followed the signs. I stopped at the multi-use trails to ensure it wasn't what I needed. It gave me good directions to the correct trail head I wanted. I scooted up the road that soon turned to dirt and after passing the sign and turn for Center Hill went .7 miles before seeing the sign for Mt. Blue. This bumpy dirt road went on for 2.5 miles before getting to the parking lot. My hike was all uphill. No switch backs, no meandering easy trails, just all up. Straight up rocks, boulders, and roots. Luckily at .5 there was trail off to the left with a small waterfall and then a bit further up there was a very old and falling apart cabin with more views of the mountain stream behind it. The rest of the hike was as I said before was all straight up. I had brought a jacket in case the overcast day got chilly but definitely didn't need it. I was sweaty and breathing heavy. Along the way I passed all ages of people so while this may be tough it's not impossible for any age. At the top I was delighted by the sight of the observation tower. How many mountains had I done where at the top I wanted to see more! I huffed it up the few flights of steps and took in a breathtaking 360 view! So worth the sweat, achey muscles, and exhaustion I felt. My trip up was 1:40 and trip down was 1:10. I'm in moderate shape and recovering from a leg injury so take that timing as you wish.

Maine beauty at it's finest! Really wish we had gotten here about a month sooner, temp would have…read morebeen a little warmer (it was in the 30's thankfully) and we would have had a ton more color than what was left on the trees. But, none the less, this is still an amazing place to visit. Easy hike up the side of the mountain (it really never is overly steep)... I'd say the difficulty rating would be moderate (at best). Nice views of the stream as you hike your way up. You can even get off the path easily to take shots up stream of the Step Falls. As you hike closer and closer you can hear the rush of water passing through the space that was eroded down on the steps. Amazing views looking up and amazing views looking down into the valley area once you reach the top. I would say you can go at your own pace, but it is entirely possible to do this in 90 to 120 min round trip. Maybe 3/4 of a mile all the way in to the top with a pretty groomed trail all the way through. Good place for kids and several people even brought their pups along for some fun. Check this one out!

You'll find this fantastic hidden gem of nature as you head north into the Rangeley Lakes region -…read moreand it's well worth a stop! The main draw (for me anyway) is the 15-foot waterfall where the Swift River gushes over the smooth carved boulders - it's beautiful! Definitely a lovely visit in the fall colors - they were just starting to show on my visit in late September. But it's my understanding that this is a great place to frolic in natural swimming holes and jump off the rocks and enjoy the water in the warmer months. I had a great time exploring the area! There were butterflies EVERYWHERE!! Many different species - but one species was being particularly cooperative and I had a great time with my camera - and turns out it was a Pink-edged Sulfur which is the State Butterfly of Maine! It's easy to find - right off Swift River Rd and it's free. Theres a picnic area with several tables and a fun giant chair with a story about Paul Bunyan next to it. Everything is well maintained and there's a campground nearby. I didn't see any bathrooms.

Actually I love this place. But Cassie made me feel very very unwelcome. I have been a Coos Canyon…read moreand rented cabbage twice, the first time I just figured maybe Cassie was having a few bad days because I did stay a few days. But the second time I went she was even worse. It's a shame that a wonderful place like this has such a mean spirited and rude person working for them

We have Nordic skied into Stratton Brook, Flagstaff and Poplar Huts many times over the past few…read morewinters . We can't say enough wonderful things about this type of experience. We have done it with younger kids, teenagers and just adults. We have stayed just one night and a few nights, both full service and self service. The Hut staff have always been accommodating, kind and provide wonderful , home- cooked meals . Nordic gear can be rented at the Sugarloaf Outdoor center close by. Make sure to consult the office & staff on what trails are best for novice & advanced. The trail to Stratton Brook can be steep and tricky for some, exciting and very do-able for others . Flagstaff is flat & easy , short. Snowshoes are also a fun way to access the huts. I would HIGHLY recommend Maine , Huts & Trails to anyone even curious about going. Winter, Summer , Fall - any season.

Good hiking and walking trails. You can be a die hard hiker or a tody toting walker and still enjoy…read morethe experience. I'm more of the later. lol

The Quill of Rights…read more Mountain top located not too far from Rangeley Lake that features epic 360° views of the surrounding area. It should be considered a "must stop" spot if you're visiting this neck of the woods, as it's a low effort, high reward kinda deal that should satisfy even the laziest of nature lovers. We were unaware of this place, but luckily one of the store clerks at one of the stores in DT Rangeley put us on to it, and now I'm doing the same for you. You're welcome. The Good: *Part of the Appalachian Trail! You can literally hike from here to Georgia, if one was so inclined. *You don't have to hike to Georgia but you can def schlep across the AT to your hearts desire and then turnaround. :) *Windy four-mile drive up to the top that gets a little hairy, but not terrible. You can also hike up it from the bottom but beware of the vehicles and dust. *Free to visit but they have a suggested donation of $5 that you can pay with cash or via Venmo. *The views are truly epic and this is a great place to stop if you're leaf-peeping. *Picnic tables at the top *ADA Compliant Trails The Meh: *It's a *lot* longer to the Lower Scenic View than those signs lead you to believe. If my Fitbit is correct, it was ±1.5-miles round-trip--which isn't terribly long, but just be aware if you're in a rush that you'll need *at least* 30min total. *And speaking of hiking, in the winter months when the snow is deep here, you'll only be about to reach the peak by hiking or snowmobile. The Ugly: *Cheapskates who don't donate and just fly thru the exit with dropping a buck or stopping to get the Venmo code. *Don't come here with a freshly cleaned vehicle--esp on a dry day--as the amount of dust these trails kick up is obscene. *If you plan to hike to the top, be aware the trail is fully exposed with zero to little shade. So, probably not a great idea on a warm day. Conclusion: Epic views with almost zero effort. What are you waiting for???

Quill Hill is a 2848 foot summit in the heart of the Rangeley Lakes region of Maine, right near the…read moretown of Rangeley. A four mile dirt road carries you up to the top for amazing views of fall colors, mountains, and Flagstaff Lake in the distance! The dirt road is very well maintained and wide enough for two cars comfortably. It's a tad bumpy in places but nothing an everyday car can't handle. The dirt road is only open from May to October but foot traffic and snowmobiles are allowed all year. At the top you'll find a nice picnic area with tables and info signs and sweeping views. There's also a little trail at the top that takes you to a "lower scenic viewpoint" and I highly recommend it!! Foot traffic only and it's a little less than 3/4 mile long with just under 200 feet elevation gain. A portion of the Appalachian Trail runs along here too! The views are spectacular and the fall foliage is dazzling!! And there are a few picnic tables at the viewpoint at the end of the trail as well. Quill Hill was a dream and the labor of love of a very generous local man that the community adored - Adrian Brochu - who lived an adventurous and interesting life that is well worth a read - highly recommend you google him. He moved here from Canada, spoke only French, fought in Vietnam, established successful logging businesses here, loved his wife and family and motorcycle, was an avid traveler - and he built this hill to give people "the best view in the state" lol! The hill is privately owned and cared for but they accept donations via several donation boxes or Venmo (link on their website). There are several parking areas around the top and everything is clean and well maintained. They've even put a wood fired grill just below the summit that they keep stocked with wood if you want to grill! Truly a lovely local treasure with amazing views and a precious little trail - definitely a must when visiting the Rangeley Lakes region.

We camped at Rangeley for the 4th of July in our pop-up. We had site 20 which was nice (water and…read moreelectric) but we wished we were across the street because those sites have water views and some have access paths through the trees. Try site 19. But no hook-ups over there. The bathrooms were nice and clean, and the dishwashing station was too. The best hike in the area is Bald Mountain. They sell ice and wood at the ranger station.

Edie was so wonderful, she helped me change our reservation when our camp for tonight was…read morecancelled, due to floods. She got us in and we are here for two nights instead of sleeping in the Walmart parking lot.

Fall Back Who knew a…read morerest area could be a "must-stop" if one ever finds themselves on a roadie to Rangeley, but yet here we are. Rest areas are usually for stretching, picnicking, and pooping (not necessarily in that order fwiw), and while this place certainly allows for all of the above, it's the nature that makes this a top-notch hiking spot, as well. The Good: *Several pit toilets (don't look down) *Picnic tables *Parking lot isn't huge but it's ample enough. *Series of small cascading water falls with trails along the edges and access to the water. I'm honestly not sure how far back the trails go, but by the time I got to the top it looked like you could keep going for a bit. *Great spot for leaf-peeping The Meh: *The road around the lot is gravely, so don't drive too fast or you'll kick up rocks. The Ugly: *Those pit toilets are...0_o *Yelp Mods who can't read a map to save their lives. I've already had them adjust the pin on here several times and they never get it right--there's LITERALLY A PIN on the map that says "Small Falls Rest Area" and they just stick it in arbitrary places. I'm pretty sure they're fucking with me at this point. 0_o Conclusion: If you find yourself in Rangeley Maine or thereabouts, then be sure to add this place to your list of things to see.

This is my 8 year old's favorite hike in town. I highly recommend this for family with young…read morechildren. It was short but fun and is a real life jungle gym. We even came back with bathing suits since my daughter wants to swim in the water. She had such a blast!

Gorge Ahead 28-acres…read moreof land purchased by the Rangeley Lakes Heritage Trust back in 1999, and the land itself is on the Maine Registry of Critical Areas for its "...unique natural and geological features." The Good: *Free *Big reward for very little effort *The waterfall is magnificent and "fairly" easy to access. *Dog-friendly The Meh: *They claim it's a one-mile out-and-back trail, but my Fitbit logged it in as just barely over a 0.5-miles. *I say it's fairly easy to get to the goal, but the truth is you have to be in kinda decent shape because there's a couple of ledges you have to pull yourself up. So, keep that in mind. *No restrooms The Ugly: *Parking lot is small and holds maybe 6-8 vehicles, assuming everyone parks like a human being and not like fuçktards. Be aware there's no overflow parking, so if it's full you're SoL. Come back later. Conclusion: Fantastic hike that's a great a great reward for mildly low effort. Highly recommended.

We stayed at Bald Mountain the weekend of Sept 6 & 7. We ended up there because we were tenting…read morefor a few days before, and the rain drove us out. For a last minute reservation they were amazingly attentive (and we were a bit high maintenance!). They accommodated us at every turn, allowing us a late checkout, and leaving the boat trailer in the parking lot the day we checked out. The restaurant was really good and all of the staff, especially Amber, were especially welcoming and accommodating. The cabin was incredibly comfortable, warm at night, and cozy, especially once we built the fire. We were told our cabin had the nicest bed on the premises, and I believe it!The resort itself is beautiful, and the "cabin chic" is well done and high quality. I would like to go back next year in warmer weather and enjoy the water more.

I have been coming to the Rangeley area for most of my life and have heard wonderful things about…read moreBald Mountain Camps, and I can say it's all true! Contacted via social media for information, where a person helped us get a reservation for the last meal of the winter season. Arrived about 15 minutes early and were relieved to see the pub was open so we ordered a drink while we waited. So happy they could make a frozen mudslide, a drink I haven't had in many years and they made it perfectly! We sat in the waiting area and enjoyed the view of the lake before us. We arrived at our table and was greeted by our server/hostess Katie who was excellent. We reviewed the full menu, and decided to have the two specials for that evening, Prime rib and surf and turf. They have a special steak here that is available for those who want a large portion of meat, The Tomahawk, apparently very popular but too big for me. The bread was warm and the butter very tasty, a special treat. Food arrived timely with good presentation and temperature. Delicious! We had no room for dessert but will visit again and will try to save room.