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Condé Nast Traveler
28-07-2025
- Condé Nast Traveler
How Artists, Makers and Fisherfolk Are Still Shaping Midcoast Maine
From the upper reaches of Mount Megunticook, I gaze out at the islands of Penobscot Bay. Cloaked in a fur of evergreens, some are long and irregular shards of rock; others are as round as gumdrops. Under raked strands of cirrus cloud, the wind scrawls patterns onto the sea. Between the mountain and the North Atlantic lies the postcard-perfect town of Camden, with its thumb-shaped harbor and white church steeples. The seaward view from the Camden Hills is justly celebrated. It's said to have inspired 'Renascence,' a poem by the legendary Mainer Edna St. Vincent Millay in which the speaker gazes out at 'three islands in a bay' and hears 'The creaking of the tented sky / The ticking of Eternity.' I grew up about an hour's drive inland, and over the past 40 years I've hoofed it up this 1,385-foot mountain dozens of times. Megunticook is arguably the most rewarding easy hike in the state. At the tiered granite overlook near the summit, I take as much comfort in the vast panorama and the Christmassy smell of balsam fir as I would in the arms of an old friend. The Midcoast region, which begins (depending on who you ask) just north of Portland and runs northeast (or 'down,' in local parlance) to somewhere around the rural Blue Hill Peninsula, near Bar Harbor, gets fewer crowds than southern Maine. It's less beachy and more Birkenstock-y. The Camden-to-Rockland stretch—the middle of the Midcoast—covers less than 10 miles but combines sea-and-mountain scenery and vibrant town life like nowhere else on the East Coast. Bartender Steel Kilgore at The Norumbega hotel in Camden Christian Harder Curator Consignment, a boutique in Rockland Christian Harder The reverse view, of Camden Hills from Penobscot Bay, is just as astonishing. The many-islanded bay itself is a sailing heaven. Camden, Rockland, and Rockport (the seaside hamlet that lies between them) have long carried a cultural weight that belies their size. In the annals of American landscape painting, Midcoast Maine is right up there with the Hudson River Valley. In addition to sustaining farmers, sea captains, and fisherfolk for centuries, its rugged landscape has also lured generations of artists, not to mention deep-pocketed summer residents, preservationists, and patrons of the arts. Now a fresh group of makers and entrepreneurs have arrived to update the Midcoast lifestyle, aided by remote work and the spending power of 'summer folk,' as some old-timers still call the part-timers. I've come to my favorite stretch of coast to experience this gentle reinvention of my native state firsthand. 'In some other towns you see distressed main streets and a struggle to shift to something a little cooler and more eclectic,' says Aaron Britt, publisher of The Midcoast Villager, a community news site and weekly periodical founded last year by combining four historic newspapers. 'Camden's ability to avoid that is something a visitor feels, even if they're just in town for the Lobster Festival.' Grilled sardines at The Alna Store Christian Harder An oarlock cast at the Apprenticeshop in Rockland Christian Harder Britt, whose wife was born in Portland, worked in New York City and San Francisco as an editor and style columnist before moving here five years ago. We chat over fried-haddock sandwiches at the Villager Café, a pine-floored breakfast-and-lunch spot operated by his employer. Its offices are upstairs. I've come to our meeting via the scenic route, through the gently sloping Harbor Park, completed in 1931 by the Olmsted Brothers (sons of the visionary behind New York's Central Park). The summer sailboats haven't arrived yet, but still the scene—brick and clapboard storefronts, the Colonial Revival public library—is absurdly picturesque. There's even a waterfall, where the Megunticook River empties into the harbor over a 250-year-old dam. The river also has a footbridge over it, conveniently located next to an ice-cream stand. Britt has the perfect term for this storybook mash-up of charming features: 'the Camden snow globe.' Colin Page, an artist I meet later that afternoon, looks to the sea for his subjects. A Baltimore native, he moved to Maine after studying painting at the Rhode Island School of Design and New York City's Cooper Union, and bought a 28-foot sailboat so that he could reach hard-to-access spots and paint them. Hanging on the wall toward the front of Page Gallery, which he co-owns, is one result of those excursions: a tide pool scene alive with pink granite, purple shadows, and neon surfgrass. But Page admits that he was also drawn to sailing for the same reasons anyone else is: 'Being out on the water for a couple hours at the end of the day, just focusing on the sea and what you're doing—there's nothing better.'
Calgary Herald
23-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Calgary Herald
Calgary folk fest: Cymande may have one of the best comeback stories of all time, but founders say the band never really broke up
Article content While the band was gaining traction in the U.S., it was virtually ignored after returning home to England. Scipio and Patterson left the United Kingdom and both became lawyers. Scipio even became the Attorney General of Anguilla for seven years. Article content 'The success and the recognition, we had reached a certain level (in America) and felt we could not fall below a certain standard,' Scipio says. 'We were not prepared to do that. I should also say family interests had an impact on our decision. So we decided to call it a day, take a break and then revisit sometime down the road.' Article content 'We described it (as) being a question of dignity and properly representing those who had found something worthwhile in the music,' Patterson adds. 'With those two things in mind, you can't go back to something that didn't match those achievements. We had to stand for something, having done what we did, being accepted by American audiences in the way we had been. You can keep going, going, going if you want to play the pub or some small clubs, but that said nothing to us. That did not represent what audiences had done in recognizing our music as valuable to them, as meaningful to them. Having another place to go or a desire (for) another place made it easy to stop for the length of time that we eventually did.' Article content Article content 'I myself have probably always been a lawyer in my head,' Patterson adds with a laugh. 'But that's quite a different thing from being a lawyer in real time. But it was good to have that, if you like, failsafe.' Article content Music has returned to the forefront now. Cymande released Renascence in January, its first new album in a decade. Scipio and Patterson have always resisted characterizing Cymande as a funk band, and the new album showcases a hybrid of genres. That includes the dark funk and deep-soul grooves that open Chasing an Empty Dream, the soft R&B of Road to Zion and jazz beats of Coltrane, a tribute to one of the band's earliest influences. Article content The piano-led ballad Only One Way features a stunning vocal by British neo-soul artist Celeste, who asked to collaborate with the band. British DJ Jazzie B joins the group for the soaring, shape-shifting, sing-along How We Roll. Article content Article content 'Over the years, we have never stopped writing,' Scipio says. 'But this new project has been a real pleasure because we have managed to find an avenue that connected our past with our present and our future as we saw it.' Article content As for the hip-hop artists that helped bring Cymande back to the spotlight, the two musicians are appreciative. Article content 'The young guys who use bits of our music to make their own creations have done a wonderful job,' says Scipio. Article content 'To have your work recognized in that way by peer musicians is a fantastic thing,' Patterson says. 'Especially after the period of time and the struggles that we had experienced in the '70s. To find a younger generation having that connectedness with something you had created all that time ago makes you feel that it had value for it to sustain itself… The thing you created has value that transcends generations. I'm certainly very proud of what we did in the 1970s.'
Yahoo
02-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Love Atlantic beaches and birdwatching? Here are the best state parks in Maine you can't miss
In a state renowned for outstanding natural beauty and stunning landscapes, Acadia National Park, and Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument often overshadow Maine's state parks, but they shouldn't. 'Maine's state parks have everything: an iconic lighthouse guarding the bold coast at Quoddy Head, amazing beaches, and 4,000-foot mountains, like Old Speck and Katahdin,' says Andy Cutko, director of Maine's Bureau of Parks and Lands. In addition to that, clear lakes, wild-running rivers, and coastal islands are also reasons why people flock to these selected state parks in Maine. Parkgoers should also check park listings for rules, fees, precautions, accessibility, and facilities. (Related: This is the most scenic route through Acadia National Park.) Best for: Families Grassy dunes back this mile-long beach that is bookended with granite ledges pocketed with tidal pools. Families love the gentle surf, relatively warm waters, summer lifeguards, and an inviting picnic area. A beach wheelchair is available. Popham Beach State Park, a mid-coast park in Phippsburg, is another family-friendly alternative that provides lifeguards in summer. Surfers love it, and shorebirds flock here. Best for: Escaping crowds 'Birch Point State Park is a gorgeous white sand cove beach that few people know about. It's out of the way but just as pretty as Popham or Reid State Parks. It attracts local families on hot weekends, but otherwise, it's usually pretty quiet,' Cutko says. Roque Bluffs State Park is an alternative way to avoid the crowds. This underutilized park on Englishman Bay comprises a handsome sand-and-pebble beach, a swimming pond, and easy hiking trails. Bob Duchesne, creator of the Maine Birding Trail, says its multiple habitats, including ocean, pond, fields, and woods, provide excellent birdwatching. (Related: The essential guide to visiting Maine.) Best for: Atlantic Ocean views This state park is situated where the mountains tumble to the sea, and the views from the tower capping Mount Battie's summit inspired poet Edna St. Vincent Millay's 'Renascence.' While you can drive or pedal to the summit, Carey Kish, author of Best Day Hikes Along the Maine Coast and the Maine Mountain Guide, suggests: 'Scamper up the east slope of Mount Battie to the historical stone summit tower. Relax and enjoy fabulous views over idyllic Camden harbor to Penobscot Bay.' Travelers should also consider Penobscot Narrows Observatory in Prospect, Maine, as an alternate state three-floor, glass-walled observatory topping the west tower of the Penobscot Narrows Bridge delivers 360-degree jaw-dropping views, including Mount Desert Island, Penobscot Bay, and inland mountains. Best for: Island time For a real 'Maine island feel,' Cutko recommends 70-acre Warren Island, located in Penobscot Bay, accessible only by boat. He suggests bringing sea kayaks aboard the state ferry to Islesboro, then paddling the quarter mile across ocean waters to the park. Daytrip it or reserve a campsite or Adirondack shelters. Parkgoers can head to Mackworth Island State Park in Falmouth as an alternative to Warren Island State Park. An easy 1.25-mile trail skirts the perimeter of this 100-acre park located on a causeway-linked island in Casco Bay. Watch boats to and fro and keep an eye out for wildlife, a fairy village (tiny houses made by children), and the Baxter pet cemetery of former Maine Governor Percival Baxter. (Related: Visiting Maine? Here's what locals love about their state.) Best for: Oceanfront camping Although only 30 minutes from Acadia National Park, this quiet, 55-acre park edging Frenchman Bay feels a world away, especially when camping. While here, enjoy a picnic area, playground, treehouse, nature center, one-mile loop trail, boat launch, and views across the narrows to Mount Desert Island's rounded peaks. Lamoine Beach is less than a mile away. For an alternative, head to Cobscook Bay State Park in Dennysville, Maine. Although temporarily closed for upgrading, this 888-acre, oceanfront campground earns kudos for its remote setting, massive tides, spruce-fir maritime forest, and access to Moosehorn National Wildlife Refuge Barren Unit's trails. According to Duchesne, more than 200 bird species are found here, including a wide variety of warblers. Best for: Coastal hiking, sunrise, wildlife, and lighthouse fans This 541-acre, cliff-hugging state park tipping the country's easternmost peninsula, is the best park to see the sunrise. 'Hike the Coastal Trail at dawn, and watch for humpback, minke, and finback whales,' Carey recommends. And don't miss the Bog Trail's boardwalk over a coastal plateau bog with rare carnivorous plants. This state park is also home to West Quoddy Head Light, Maine's candy-striped lighthouse. Owls Head State Park makes a fun alternative for lighthouse fans. Bluff-top Owls Head Light, dating from 1852, overlooks Penobscot Bay, and the American Lighthouse Foundation opens the lighthouse tower for tours. Visitors can enjoy the panoramic views taking in Rockland Harbor, Vinalhaven and North Haven islands, and lobster boats and windjammers sailing the waters and admire its fourth-order Fresnel lens. The foundation also operates the adjacent Keeper's House Museum & Gift shop. The park lacks hiking trails, but it has a small pebble beach and picnic area. (Related: Feel the call of the wild on a moose safari in Maine's Great North Woods.) Best for: Autumn day trip Bisected by the Grafton Notch Scenic Byway and the Appalachian Trail, this sprawling park offers something for everyone. Easy roadside stops include fun-to-explore Bear River Valley's waterfalls and gorges, Moose Cave, and a picnic area overlooking a marsh and Old Speck Mountain. Wildlife is plentiful, including moose, but remember to view at a safe distance. Trails range from leisurely jaunts to challenging hikes. For views, Cutko recommends Old Speck, a challenging 7.6-mile, round-trip hike rising to a 4,180-foot summit observation tower delivering outstanding panoramic views. Autumn foliage colors the peaks in fiery reds, oranges, and golds. For an alternative state park that's great for an autumn day trip, visit Mount Blue State Park in Weld. This park comprises two sections framing Lake Webb. It's a strenuous but rewarding 3.2-mile hike up 3,187-foot Mt. Blue. Shorter and easier trails are available both in the park and in the adjoining Tumbledown Mountain Public Land. Two multi-use trails—one 20 miles and the other four miles—are open to mountain bikers as well as hikers. Afterward, enjoy a swim or a paddle on the lake. A picnic area, playground, and campground are available at this state park. Best for: Canoeing Maine's Allagash Wilderness Waterway flows 92 miles northward through lakes, ponds, and streams linking Telos Lake with East Twin Brook. 'The Allagash flows through the history of Maine's Indigenous Wabanaki, who paddled here millennia before Thoreau documented it and still do today,' says Master Maine Guide Polly Mahoney, co-owner of Mahoosuc Guide Service. She appreciates the variety this quiet National Wild and Scenic River offers. In southern Maine, Androscoggin Riverlands State Park offers 12 miles of riverfrontage in two sections, Turner and Leeds, all part of the 65-mile Androscoggin Greenway waterway. Put in at the Center Bridge Boat Launch in Center Turner and paddle gentle waters upriver along the Leed's section on the eastern edge or downriver along the Turner section's western edge. (Related: Why this small US city packs a big culinary punch.) Best for: Hiking and birdwatching This state park is home to Katahdin, Maine's tallest peak and the northern terminus of the Appalachian Trail. Baxter's nearly 210,000 acres are independently managed. Its mission and rules keep its 51 peaks, 225-plus trail miles, and more than 60 named ponds forever wild. 'Hike South Turner Mountain for an outstanding look at the Katahdin massif, Knife Edge, and the Great Basin. Look for moose at Sandy Stream Pond en route,' Kish suggests. As for birding: 'It's so big, it's got everything,' Duchesne enthuses. Highlights include the threatened Bicknell's Thrush and northern warblers. Bradford Mountain State Park in Pownal is an excellent alternative, especially for young families. A 21.5-mile network of mostly easy-to-moderate trails ranging from 0.2 to 2.6 miles in length lace this 485-foot-high peak, and most trails also allow mountain biking. Two annual programs attract birders: Hawk Watch takes place from March 15 to May 15, and Feathers Over Freeport occurs in mid-to-late May. The park's facilities include a campground, playground, and picnic area. Best for: Lake camping Maine has numerous parks edging or encompassing lakes. However, Cutko singles out 893-acre Peaks-Kenney, with more than a mile of shoreline edging 10-mile-long Sebec Lake and dreamy views over the water to Borestone Mountain. 'It's a quieter park with a lovely beach on a lake that doesn't see a lot of boat traffic,' he says. A 56-site campground, picnic area, playground, canoe rentals, and 10 miles of easy-to-moderate trails make it easy to spend a weekend here. Rangeley Lake State Park is an alternative to Peaks-Kenney State Park. Located in Rangeley, this 869-acre park, with 50 lakeshore-access campsites, is usually less crowded than Lily Bay State Park on Moosehead Lake. Other reasons for visiting include its beach, picnic area, playground, and boat launch. Hilary Nangle is a Maine-based travel writer who loves getting off the beaten path and is the founder of Maine Travel Maven.
National Geographic
02-06-2025
- National Geographic
10 of the best state parks in Maine
In a state renowned for outstanding natural beauty and stunning landscapes, Acadia National Park, and Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument often overshadow Maine's state parks, but they shouldn't. 'Maine's state parks have everything: an iconic lighthouse guarding the bold coast at Quoddy Head, amazing beaches, and 4,000-foot mountains, like Old Speck and Katahdin,' says Andy Cutko, director of Maine's Bureau of Parks and Lands. In addition to that, clear lakes, wild-running rivers, and coastal islands are also reasons why people flock to these selected state parks in Maine. Parkgoers should also check park listings for rules, fees, precautions, accessibility, and facilities. (Related: This is the most scenic route through Acadia National Park.) Coastal Maine State Parks 1. Crescent Beach State Park, Cape Elizabeth Best for: Families Grassy dunes back this mile-long beach that is bookended with granite ledges pocketed with tidal pools. Families love the gentle surf, relatively warm waters, summer lifeguards, and an inviting picnic area. A beach wheelchair is available. Popham Beach State Park, a mid-coast park in Phippsburg, is another family-friendly alternative that provides lifeguards in summer. Surfers love it, and shorebirds flock here. 2. Birch Point State Park, Owls Head Best for: Escaping crowds 'Birch Point State Park is a gorgeous white sand cove beach that few people know about. It's out of the way but just as pretty as Popham or Reid State Parks. It attracts local families on hot weekends, but otherwise, it's usually pretty quiet,' Cutko says. Roque Bluffs State Park is an alternative way to avoid the crowds. This underutilized park on Englishman Bay comprises a handsome sand-and-pebble beach, a swimming pond, and easy hiking trails. Bob Duchesne, creator of the Maine Birding Trail, says its multiple habitats, including ocean, pond, fields, and woods, provide excellent birdwatching. (Related: The essential guide to visiting Maine.) Hikers can summit Mount Battie at Camden Hills State Park for incredible views of Camden Harbor and Penobscot Bay. Photograph by Pat & Chuck Blackley, Alamy 3. Camden Hills State Park, Camden Best for: Atlantic Ocean views This state park is situated where the mountains tumble to the sea, and the views from the tower capping Mount Battie's summit inspired poet Edna St. Vincent Millay's 'Renascence.' While you can drive or pedal to the summit, Carey Kish, author of Best Day Hikes Along the Maine Coast and the Maine Mountain Guide, suggests: 'Scamper up the east slope of Mount Battie to the historical stone summit tower. Relax and enjoy fabulous views over idyllic Camden harbor to Penobscot Bay.' Travelers should also consider Penobscot Narrows Observatory in Prospect, Maine, as an alternate state three-floor, glass-walled observatory topping the west tower of the Penobscot Narrows Bridge delivers 360-degree jaw-dropping views, including Mount Desert Island, Penobscot Bay, and inland mountains. 4. Warren Island State Park, Islesboro Best for: Island time For a real 'Maine island feel,' Cutko recommends 70-acre Warren Island, located in Penobscot Bay, accessible only by boat. He suggests bringing sea kayaks aboard the state ferry to Islesboro, then paddling the quarter mile across ocean waters to the park. Daytrip it or reserve a campsite or Adirondack shelters. Parkgoers can head to Mackworth Island State Park in Falmouth as an alternative to Warren Island State Park. An easy 1.25-mile trail skirts the perimeter of this 100-acre park located on a causeway-linked island in Casco Bay. Watch boats to and fro and keep an eye out for wildlife, a fairy village (tiny houses made by children), and the Baxter pet cemetery of former Maine Governor Percival Baxter. (Related: Visiting Maine? Here's what locals love about their state.) 5. Lamoine State Park, Lamoine Best for: Oceanfront camping Although only 30 minutes from Acadia National Park, this quiet, 55-acre park edging Frenchman Bay feels a world away, especially when camping. While here, enjoy a picnic area, playground, treehouse, nature center, one-mile loop trail, boat launch, and views across the narrows to Mount Desert Island's rounded peaks. Lamoine Beach is less than a mile away. For an alternative, head to Cobscook Bay State Park in Dennysville, Maine. Although temporarily closed for upgrading, this 888-acre, oceanfront campground earns kudos for its remote setting, massive tides, spruce-fir maritime forest, and access to Moosehorn National Wildlife Refuge Barren Unit's trails. According to Duchesne, more than 200 bird species are found here, including a wide variety of warblers. 6. Quoddy Head State Park, Lubec Best for: Coastal hiking, sunrise, wildlife, and lighthouse fans This 541-acre, cliff-hugging state park tipping the country's easternmost peninsula, is the best park to see the sunrise. 'Hike the Coastal Trail at dawn, and watch for humpback, minke, and finback whales,' Carey recommends. And don't miss the Bog Trail's boardwalk over a coastal plateau bog with rare carnivorous plants. This state park is also home to West Quoddy Head Light, Maine's candy-striped lighthouse. Owls Head State Park makes a fun alternative for lighthouse fans. Bluff-top Owls Head Light, dating from 1852, overlooks Penobscot Bay, and the American Lighthouse Foundation opens the lighthouse tower for tours. Visitors can enjoy the panoramic views taking in Rockland Harbor, Vinalhaven and North Haven islands, and lobster boats and windjammers sailing the waters and admire its fourth-order Fresnel lens. The foundation also operates the adjacent Keeper's House Museum & Gift shop. The park lacks hiking trails, but it has a small pebble beach and picnic area. (Related: Feel the call of the wild on a moose safari in Maine's Great North Woods.) Inland Maine State Parks 7. Grafton Notch State Park, Newry Best for: Autumn day trip Bisected by the Grafton Notch Scenic Byway and the Appalachian Trail, this sprawling park offers something for everyone. Easy roadside stops include fun-to-explore Bear River Valley's waterfalls and gorges, Moose Cave, and a picnic area overlooking a marsh and Old Speck Mountain. Wildlife is plentiful, including moose, but remember to view at a safe distance. Trails range from leisurely jaunts to challenging hikes. For views, Cutko recommends Old Speck, a challenging 7.6-mile, round-trip hike rising to a 4,180-foot summit observation tower delivering outstanding panoramic views. Autumn foliage colors the peaks in fiery reds, oranges, and golds. For an alternative state park that's great for an autumn day trip, visit Mount Blue State Park in Weld. This park comprises two sections framing Lake Webb. It's a strenuous but rewarding 3.2-mile hike up 3,187-foot Mt. Blue. Shorter and easier trails are available both in the park and in the adjoining Tumbledown Mountain Public Land. Two multi-use trails—one 20 miles and the other four miles—are open to mountain bikers as well as hikers. Afterward, enjoy a swim or a paddle on the lake. A picnic area, playground, and campground are available at this state park. For a fall getaway, you can paddle their canoe along the Allagash River to marvel at the colorful foliage at the Allagash Wilderness Waterway. Photograph by Cavan Images, Alamy 8. Allagash Wilderness Waterway, Allagash Best for: Canoeing Maine's Allagash Wilderness Waterway flows 92 miles northward through lakes, ponds, and streams linking Telos Lake with East Twin Brook. 'The Allagash flows through the history of Maine's Indigenous Wabanaki, who paddled here millennia before Thoreau documented it and still do today,' says Master Maine Guide Polly Mahoney, co-owner of Mahoosuc Guide Service. She appreciates the variety this quiet National Wild and Scenic River offers. In southern Maine, Androscoggin Riverlands State Park offers 12 miles of riverfrontage in two sections, Turner and Leeds, all part of the 65-mile Androscoggin Greenway waterway. Put in at the Center Bridge Boat Launch in Center Turner and paddle gentle waters upriver along the Leed's section on the eastern edge or downriver along the Turner section's western edge. (Related: Why this small US city packs a big culinary punch.) 9. Baxter State Park, Baxter Best for: Hiking and birdwatching This state park is home to Katahdin, Maine's tallest peak and the northern terminus of the Appalachian Trail. Baxter's nearly 210,000 acres are independently managed. Its mission and rules keep its 51 peaks, 225-plus trail miles, and more than 60 named ponds forever wild. 'Hike South Turner Mountain for an outstanding look at the Katahdin massif, Knife Edge, and the Great Basin. Look for moose at Sandy Stream Pond en route,' Kish suggests. As for birding: 'It's so big, it's got everything,' Duchesne enthuses. Highlights include the threatened Bicknell's Thrush and northern warblers. Bradford Mountain State Park in Pownal is an excellent alternative, especially for young families. A 21.5-mile network of mostly easy-to-moderate trails ranging from 0.2 to 2.6 miles in length lace this 485-foot-high peak, and most trails also allow mountain biking. Two annual programs attract birders: Hawk Watch takes place from March 15 to May 15, and Feathers Over Freeport occurs in mid-to-late May. The park's facilities include a campground, playground, and picnic area. 10. Peaks-Kenney State Park, Dover-Foxcroft Best for: Lake camping Maine has numerous parks edging or encompassing lakes. However, Cutko singles out 893-acre Peaks-Kenney, with more than a mile of shoreline edging 10-mile-long Sebec Lake and dreamy views over the water to Borestone Mountain. 'It's a quieter park with a lovely beach on a lake that doesn't see a lot of boat traffic,' he says. A 56-site campground, picnic area, playground, canoe rentals, and 10 miles of easy-to-moderate trails make it easy to spend a weekend here. Rangeley Lake State Park is an alternative to Peaks-Kenney State Park. Located in Rangeley, this 869-acre park, with 50 lakeshore-access campsites, is usually less crowded than Lily Bay State Park on Moosehead Lake. Other reasons for visiting include its beach, picnic area, playground, and boat launch. Hilary Nangle is a Maine-based travel writer who loves getting off the beaten path and is the founder of Maine Travel Maven.
