Maine’s Lakes & Mountains
Counties | Towns & Cities | Climate | Events | Attractions | Region Map
The Maine Lakes & Mountains, a region famous for its’ four seasons of recreational attractions, boasts some of Maine’s highest peaks in the Bigelow Range and Mahoosuc Mountains. Dotted with hundreds of glacial lakes, it offers some of the state’s largest including Sebago Lake, Flagstaff Lake, and the Rangeley Lakes Chain which encompasses over 110 lakes and ponds. Sporting activities are first class and feature fishing, canoeing & kayaking, camping, biking, hiking along the Appalachian Trail, moose, loon, and wildlife watching, golf, fall foliage touring, hunting, cross country and alpine skiing, and snowmobiling. Maine Event highlights the Great Falls Balloon Festival, Fryeburg Fair, Ski Fest and Snodeo.
Counties in the Region
- Androscoggin
- Franklin
- Oxford
To see maps of: Androscoggin County and all towns & cities in the county, click here; Franklin County and all towns & cities in the county, click here; Oxford County and all towns & cities in the county, click here.
10 Largest Cities & Towns*
- Lewiston (36,592)
- Auburn (23,005)
- Lisbon (9,009)
- Farmington (7,760)
- Rumford (5,841)
- Turner (5,734)
- Poland (5,376)
- Paris (5,183)
- Norway (5,014)
- Jay (4,851)
Other towns of interest include: Durham, Leeds, Livermore, Livermore Falls, Mechanic Falls, Minot, Sabattus, and Wales (Androscoggin County); Andover, Bethel, Byron, Canton, Dixfield, Fryeburg, Hanover, Mexico, Peru, Oxford and Roxbury (Oxford County); New Sharon, Phillips, Strong, Weld and Wilton, Rangeley, Stratton, Carrabassett Valley, Eustis, and Kingfield. (Franklin County). *Population figures are based on 2010 Maine census estimates.*
Climate – Average High/Low Temperatures (F)
- Lewiston, Maine (Androscoggin County): January: 29.2 to 11.1, April: 53.1 to 34.2, July: 80.7 to 60.7, October: 59 to 40.5
- Farmington, Maine (Franklin County): January: 25.8 to .5, April: 51 to 28.5, July: 79 to 53.4, October: 57.4 to 32.3
- Rumford, Maine (Oxford County): January: 27.2 to 5.8, April: 52.3 to 31.2, July: 79.6 to 56.4, October: 57.5 to 36.6.
Geography & Natural Attractions
Mountainous region with some of Maine’s highest peaks in the Bigelow Range and Mahoosuc Mountains. Lakes in the region include Sebago Lake (2nd largest in the state), Flagstaff Lake (4th largest in the state), and the Rangeley Lakes Chain which encompasses over 110 lakes and ponds.
Major Events
- January: Ski Fest (Bethel), Snodeo (Rangeley)
- February: Polar Blast (Eustis), Winter Festival (Bethel), Winter Carnival (Oxford), Musher’s Bowl (Bridgton)
- June: Great Falls Canoe Race (Lewiston-Auburn), Moontide Water Festival (Rumford)
- July: Gem, Mineral & Jewelry Festival, Mollyockett Day, Maine State Triathlon Classic (Bethel), Moonlight Madness (Farmington), Logging Museum Festival (Rangeley)
- August: Sidewalk Art Show, Blueberry Festival (Rangeley), Blueberry Festival (Wilton), Old Home Days (Andover), Festival de Joie, Great Falls Balloon Festival (Lewiston- Auburn), Antique Auto Show (Oxford), SCCA Maine Forest Pro Rally (Rumford)
- September: Oxford County Fair (Oxford), Franklin County Fair (Farmington), Harvest Fest (Bethel)
- October: Fryeburg Fair (Fryeburg), Apple Festival (Rangeley)
Major Historic and Cultural Attractions & Sites
- Bridgton: Narramissic Farm
- Farmington: Farmington Historic District, Nordica Homestead – birthplace of Opera legend Lillian Nordica, University of Maine Art Gallery
- East Sebago: Jones Glass Museum
- Kingfield: Stanley Museum – Stanley Steamers and memorabilia
- Lewiston: Bates College
- Livermore: Norlands Living History Center
- New Gloucester: Sabbathday Lake Shaker Community
- Newry: Sunday River Covered Bridge
- Phillips: Sandy River and Rangeley Lakes Railroad
- Rangeley: Wilhelm Reich Museum
- South Paris: McLaughlin Foundation Perennial Gardens & Horticulture Center.
State Parks
Grafton Notch State Park (Newry), Mt. Blue State Park (Weld), Rangeley Lake State Park (Rangeley), Range Pond State Park (Poland), and Sebago Lake State Park (Casco)
Recreational Activities
Biking, Hiking (Appalachian Trail), Canoeing & Kayaking, Freshwater Fishing for Salmon and Trout (Rangeley Lakes, Sebago Lake), Moose Watching Safaris, Downhill & Cross Country Skiing, and Snowmobiling.