MAINE - Western Lakes/Mountains

Set on 35,027 acres, this preserve is along Flagstaff Lake. There are numerous mountains within the preserves. Extensive trails for both hiking and cross-country skiing are for experienced hikers and skiers. There is also swimming, paddling, fishing, and hunting. Snowmobile trails travers the park.

This scenic park is the gateway to numerous hiking trails, fishing areas, and amazing natural attractions, including Mother Walker Falls, Screw Auger Falls, Moose Cave, Step Falls and the Bear River. Visitors will see a natural bridge, gorges, and two Maine mountains, Old Speck and Baldpate Mountain. Perhaps the most popular park for hiking in the state, Grafton Notch offers many trails with extraordinary views. Easy trails will take you down into Moose Cave Gorge, Mother Walker Falls, and Screw Auger Falls. For more of a challenge, Table Rock is a one-mile steep climb up Baldpate Mountain. Hikers on this trail will enjoy the views of Grafton Notch, and can explore the caves found at the trail's end. A challenging trail is the four-mile hike to the summit of Old Speck Mountain. The Eyebrow Trail is a side-trail off ths Old Speck climb, leading to Eyebrow Sheer Cliff. It is at this park that the Appalachian Trail enters Maine, and continues north to the Canadian border.

This park along the shores of Lake Webb features activities throughout the year. Warmer weather visitors will enjoy fishing, swimming, canoeing, and hiking trails. In the winter, trails are open for both cross-country skiing and snowmobiling. A public campground is available.

Small state park features fishing and swimming areas, canoeing, and snowmobile trails in the winter. There is public camping available.

This 1,300-acre park features relaxation on beautiful Sebago Lake. Visitors will enjoy fishing, boating, canoeing, and swimming on the lake. There is a public campsite available. Open May 1-Oct. 15 for full use. Wintertime trails are available for cross-country skiers.

Trails of varying difficulty greet hikers on this three-peaked mountain. The shortest and easiest is the Brook Trail, which is only a 1.5-mile round trip. The Loop Trail affords views of the Great Ledges, and the Chimney Trail is an extremely difficult hike to the summit. Fishing can be had at Tumbledown Pond, reached along the Brook Trail.

Here are some of the bodies of fresh water in the Western Lakes and Mountains region that provide fine fishing experiences:

In the Rangeley area, try Rangeley lake, Cupsuptic Lake, Quimby Pond, Dodge Pond, Big Kennabago Stream, Little Kennebago Stream, Loon Lake, Richardson Lake, Mooselookmeguntic Lake, and Aziscohos.

Further south, fisherman will enjoy the offerings at Sebago Lake, Long Lake, Crystal Lake, Panther Pond and more.

Although most of this forest is in New Hampshire, this portion of the forest features camping areas, hiking trails, fishing, and canoeing. Cross-country ski trails are available in the winter.