Northern Franklin County
This area encompasses the northern half of Franklin County and parts of Somerset County, including the towns of Kingfield-Carrabassett Valley, Rangeley, Stratton-Eustis, and Weld. This is a phenomenal area for anyone who loves the outdoors with activities including hiking, paddling, fishing, skiing, and more.
Fun Facts:
- “Rangeley is named after an English settler, Squire James Rangeley. He had a 31,000-acre piece of land that was bought in 1796 by his father. He came in 1825 to build the town. He built a sawmill, a gristmill, a mansion, and a ten-mile road to get to other towns.[2]“
- The Phillips and Rangeley Railroad opened in 1891. Tourists from Boston, Hartford, New York, and Philadelphia started to come. So, in the early 1900s, Rangeley became a summer resort area with camps, cabins, summer homes, and hotels. The cool mountain climate and plenty of sport fishing made this a likable town.”
- “The small town of Kingfield is big on character, charm, and beauty. Situated near Sugarloaf Mountain, the home to one of the largest ski areas east of the Rockies, it has views of the mountains, dense forests, and the Carrabassett River that runs through town. The town’s natural beauty has made it a top destination for outdoor recreation year-round.
Rangeley - Kingfield’s neighboring town of Carrabassett Valley is home to the 4,000-foot Sugarloaf Mountain Resort, Maine’s largest ski area. The resort offers fantastic skiing and snowboarding, from numerous double black diamond trails to plenty of easy greens. There are also 90 kilometers of groomed Nordic ski trails. In warmer weather, tee time at Sugarloaf’s renowned golf course is on the bucket list of golfers of all levels, and the network of mountain bike trails round out the outdoor adventure opportunities.” (https://visitmaine.com/places-to-go/maines-lakes-and-mountains/kingfield-carrabassett-valley)