DAY TRIPS - ALL ARE CLASS 1 PADDLING (EASY)

CUPSUPTIC RIVER: For a short trip with easy-in and easy-out access, trip length about 1 to 1 1/2 hours, take Route 4 from Rangeley towards Oquossoc to the Information Pavilion.  Turn right on Route 16 towards Wilsons Mills, continue across the Kennebago River, pass the Cupsuptic Campground and approximately 1 mile past the Maine Forest Service Station to the Public Boat Access on the Cupsuptic River.  Do not cross the bridge; landing is on the east side.  About 1 mile up the River on the west side is "Hinkley's Café" where camping and a picnic area are available.  3/4 mile further up the River on the left is a cabin called Mooch's.  At this point, passage becomes impossible because of rocks and small falls.  Turn around and return.

MAGALLOWAY RIVER: This trip requires a car shuttle.  It is a 5.5-mile (approximately 3-hour) paddle.  Take Route 4 from Rangeley towards Oquossoc to the Information Pavilion.  Turn right on Route 16 to Wilson's Mills.  At Wilson's Mills as you approach the bridge, turn right on Bennett Road; immediately on left is the launching point.  There is fast water at the beginning of the trip, but it is flat.

Shuttle:  Take a car to the bridge at the Maine-New Hampshire border - there is only one bridge which crosses the River.  Take out at bridge; it is quite steep.

KENNEBAGO RIVER: This is a very popular trip because of its closeness to Rangeley and offers a great opportunity to see moose and other wildlife.  This trip (approximately 3 miles) also requires a shuttle.  Take Route 4 from Rangeley towards Oquossoc to the Information Pavilion.  Turn right on Route 16 and proceed 1.3 miles to the Kennebago River road on the right.  Proceed 2 miles on this gravel road to the so-called Steep Bank Pool on the left.  You will see a path for launching at this point; park on the right side of road.  There is a ledge around the first bend, which should be approached to determine whether to run it on the left side or on the right side.  You may have to carry over this under certain water conditions and your degree of paddling skills.  After this it is flat water to the Route 16 bridge.  Take out on the east bank immediately after the bridge.

Shuttle:  Go back to Route 16 and turn right.  Proceed .10 miles and park on the left side before the bridge.

DEAD RIVER - NORTH BRANCH: 3.4-mile paddle (approximately 2 hours) requiring a shuttle and a portage.  Take Route 16 east to Stratton.  At Stratton, turn left on Route 27.  Continue north on Route 27, pass Cathedral Pines Campground, pass Eustis about 1 1/2 miles to King and Bartlett Road on right.  At the King and Bartlett sign, turn right and go across the bridge, launching on the left immediately after the bridge.  Park on the right side of the road.

  Shuttle:  Leave vehicle at the Cathedral Pine Campground.

Portage:  The portage (approximately 100 yards) is around a dam marked by a cable with barrels strung across the River.  Pull out on the right where the cable is anchored.  To the left there is a path.  100 yards and below the dam is a place for reentry.  Continue to Cathedral Pines.

3-5 DAY TRIP - ALL FLAT LAKE PADDLING

RANGELEY LAKES CANOE TRIP: One starting point is at Lakeside Park in the Village of Rangeley.  There is an 8-mile paddle across Rangeley Lake to Oquossoc with a portage of 1 1/2 miles to Haines Landing on Mooselookmeguntic Lake.  Another starting point is the Rangeley Lakes State Park where overnight camping is available.  To avoid the portage, one may also start at Haines Landing, at Cupsuptic Campground, or at the Public Boat Launch on the Cupsuptic River. 

Wilderness campsites run by the Stephen Phillips Memorial Trust are scattered along the western shore and small islands of Mooselookmeguntic Lake.  Mooselookmeguntic Lake is the largest of the Rangeley Chain.  Caution is urged on this large lake where wind can whip up rapidly.  We suggest crossing to the west shore and staying close to this shore to avoid accidents.  There is a 12-mile paddle to Upper Dam with a carry of 1/8 mile around the dam to reach Upper Richardson Lake, through "The Narrows," and across Lower Richardson Lake with numerous campsites along the shores of the Richardson Lakes operated by the South Arm Campground at South Arm, Maine.  It is approximately 9 miles from Upper Dam to Middle Dam. From Middle Dam to South Arm is 6 miles.  South Arm lies at the northern terminus of Route 5 where there is a good dock, boat ramp, and commercial campground with full facilities including hot showers and a grocery store.

Arrangements can be made with Lakewood Camps to have canoes portaged across the six-mile Rapid River to Umbagog Lake.  It is 8 miles from Sunday Cove to Upton at the lower end of Umbagog Lake.

  A number of Rangeley businesses rent canoes and kayaks and some provide shuttle service. Guided tours are also available.