Range Ponds State Park
Rate this placeLast Updated: December 5, 2025
Range Ponds State Park is a popular destination in Maine for outdoor enthusiasts and families looking to enjoy the natural beauty of the area.
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Summary
The park is located in the town of Poland and covers over 850 acres, including the Range Ponds, which are a series of three interconnected bodies of water.
One of the main draws of Range Ponds State Park is its abundance of outdoor recreational activities. Visitors can swim, fish, boat, hike, bike, and camp within the park. There are several picnic areas and playgrounds for families to enjoy, as well as a beach area that is open during the summer months. The park also features a disc golf course and horseshoe pits.
Points of interest within the park include the two sandy beaches on the ponds, which are perfect for swimming and sunbathing. There are also several hiking trails that wind through the woods and around the ponds, providing scenic views of the area. The park is home to a variety of wildlife, including deer, moose, and beavers, that can often be seen in their natural habitats.
Interesting facts about Range Ponds State Park include its history as a popular destination for ice harvesting in the early 1900s. The large icehouses that were used to store the harvested ice can still be seen within the park. Additionally, the park was originally donated to the state of Maine by the Poland Spring bottling company.
The best time of year to visit Range Ponds State Park depends on the activities you plan to participate in. The park is open year-round, but swimming and beach areas are only open during the summer months. Fall is a popular time to visit, as the changing leaves create a beautiful backdrop for hiking and camping. Winter activities include ice fishing and snowshoeing.
Overall, Range Ponds State Park is an excellent destination for anyone looking to enjoy the great outdoors in Maine. With its diverse range of activities and scenic views, it is a must-visit for nature lovers.
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Park & Land Designation Reference
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
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