Location: Just east of Rangeley, Franklin County Description: The Bald Mountain Public Reserved Land is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts during all four seasons. Hike the trail to the summit of Bald Mountain, particularly beautiful during the fall months, and enjoy the views of the surrounding lakes. In the summer, fishermen take to the unit’s Read More
Franklin County
Bigelow Preserve Public Reserved Land
Location: Near Stratton, Franklin County Description: The Bigelow Preserve, the area of which totals 36,000 acres, is bounded on its north by Flagstaff Lake, a 20,000-acre lake, and includes all seven summits of the Bigelow Range, including 4,150-foot West Peak. The Appalachian Trail crosses through part of the Bigelow Preserve. Flagstaff Lake is also part of the Northern Read More
Chain of Ponds Public Reserved Land
Location: Ten miles northeast of Eustis, Franklin County Description: The Chain of Ponds Public Reserved Land parcel is comprised of four ponds. Natanis, Bog, Long, and Lower ponds are all connected via channels, creating the “chain.” Visitors to the ponds have the opportunity to recreate on the ponds, including camping on the shores and observing Read More
Four Ponds Public Reserved Land
Location: South of Rangeley, Franklin County Description: The Four Ponds Public Reserved Land unit is 6,000 acres in size and located east of Mooselookmeguntic Lake. The unit is popular for swimming, fishing, canoeing, and kayaking. Part of the Appalachian Trail cuts through, and there are campgrounds at Little Swift River Pond and Sabbath Day Pond. Snowmobilers Read More
Mount Abraham Public Reserved Land
Location: Mount Abram Township, 20 miles south of Carrabassett Valley, Franklin County Description: The Mount Abraham Public Reserved Land unit is 6,214 acres with 4,033 of those acres protected as an Ecological Reserve. The Ecological Reserve System protects Maine’s biological diversity, among other purposes. The state’s tallest mountain ash is on Mount Abraham, at an impressive Read More
Tumbledown Public Reserved Land
Location: West of Weld, in Franklin County Description: The Tumbledown Public Reserved Land unit is 10,000 acres of mountainous trails and several peaks with dramatic views of surrounding Franklin County. The trails vary in difficulty, but the popular Tumbledown Mountain Trail leads you to Tumbledown Pond, a scenic pond atop the mountain where hikers often Read More
Smalls Falls
Chosen By: Beth Comeau, Communications Manager Location: Madrid, Franklin County Description: A 54-foot waterfall on the Sandy River Activities: Swimming, hiking, photography, picnicking Favorite season to visit: Early fall Why it’s special: This waterfall is beautiful! You can hike up to the top, swim in the fresh, clean water at the bottom of the falls, Read More
Rangeley Lakes Region
The Land for Maine’s Future (LMF) program has helped to conserve three recreational gems in the Rangeley Lakes region. An LMF grant enabled Rangeley Lakes Heritage Trust to purchase Bald Mountain from International Paper. The Trust subsequently transferred this 1,873-acre tract to the Bureau of Parks and Lands for management as the Bald Mountain Public Reserve. A Read More
