Campgrounds in Maine's Western Lakes & Mountains Region
Maine's Western Lakes and Mountains Region is a study in contrasts. From the hustle and bustle that is Windham, Lewiston and Auburn, to the quiet serenity and winding back roads of quaint New England
villages such as Bethel and South Paris, and the more open and remote northern region towards Eustis. Known best for its crystal clear lakes and rugged mountain ranges, the
region offers many outdoor activities including water sports, fishing,
hiking, biking and skiing.
While
there are many back roads and quiet tree-lined lanes to discover,
there are also plenty of golf courses, miniature golf courses,
and diversified shopping and dining opportunities for your
entire family to enjoy.
Of course, if you're looking for
something different to do, there are opportunities to enjoy llama trekking or
digging in quarries for gemstones and minerals such as amethysts, tourmaline,
garnet and topaz. You might even try your hand at panning for gold.
The well-known Sebago-Long Lake area offers miles of boating and many
lakefront activities including parasailing and windsailing. Sebago Lake
may be Maine's second largest lake, but it has a small-time feel to it as there
are numerous quiet inlets to explore. There are even mail boat and seaplane
rides available at the Naples Causeway on Long Lake. The
hand-operated Songo Locks, the only one remaining from
27 locks built in the 1830s, makes it possible to see the entire
42-mile waterway encompassing Sebago Lake, Songo River, Brandy
Pond and Long Lake. The paddlewheeled Songo River Queen II is
also a great way to see an upper portion of this waterway.
Naturally, no Maine region would be complete without a good old-fashioned
country fair and the Western Lakes and Mountains features one of the oldest
and the best - the Fryeburg Agricultural Fair held at the end of September/
beginning of October.The quintessential and historic New England
town of Bethel serves as an entry to the White Mountain National Forest, and
two of the finest covered bridges in Maine are found in South Andover and Newry.
Elsewhere,
the Rangeley Lake area is a true fourseason recreational
community. The area includes some of the best hunting and fishing
in Maine, including more than 40 trout and salmon lakes and
ponds.
Incredible mountain views of the Carrabasset River, and unrivaled picnic
spots can be found nearby at the Bigelow Mountain Range.
Eustis Ridge, at the end of a two-mile hillside drive, is one of the
most spectacular picnic spots in Maine, but it is never crowded and outdoor
grills are even provided. The commercial hub of the region, Lewiston-Auburn,
originally came into its own in the mid-1800s when textiles and shoemaking were
among the top industries of the day. Nowadays the twin cities are best known
for the Great Falls Balloon Festival and the Festival de Joie that celebrates
Maine's Franco-American heritage. Both events are held in August. Maine's
history is also on display at the Washburn-Norlands Living History
Center in Livermore. The 430-acre farm presents rural life during
post-Civil War days from the perspective of those who actually
lived at the time. Region Information provided by The Maine Campground Owners Association
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