Rangeley Lake State Park

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Last Updated: December 7, 2025

Rangeley Lake State Park is a popular destination located in the state of Maine, not New Hampshire.


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Summary

The park is situated in the Rangeley Lakes region and offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains and forests. Visitors can enjoy a range of outdoor activities, including swimming, boating, fishing, and hiking.

Some of the specific points of interest within the park include the two sandy beaches on Rangeley Lake, the campground, and the many hiking trails that lead to scenic overlooks and waterfalls. The park also has a picnic area, playground, and boat launch for visitors to use.

Interesting facts about the area include that Rangeley Lake is the third-largest lake in Maine and is known for its trout and salmon fishing. The surrounding forests are home to a variety of wildlife, including moose, black bears, and bald eagles.

The best time of year to visit Rangeley Lake State Park is during the summer months when the weather is warm and the lake is ideal for swimming and boating. However, the fall foliage season is also a popular time to visit as the trees surrounding the lake turn vibrant shades of red, orange, and yellow.

In conclusion, Rangeley Lake State Park is a beautiful destination in Maine that offers a variety of outdoor activities and stunning scenery. Visitors can enjoy swimming, boating, fishing, hiking, and more, while taking in the natural beauty of the surrounding area.

       

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Park & Land Designation Reference

National Park
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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