Rangeley Lakes Heritage Trust has created a Dark Sky Trail that covers a dozen different areas with a diverse variety of ecosystems, views and difficulties of access. Some of the Dark Sky Trail locations are not RLHT properties, but are granted access easements or are listed as points of interest.
These are the best Dark Sky Trail stops during the winter season, but please take care when ice, snow and freezing temperatures affect ease of accessibility and safety. Conditions can change quickly. Find maps at Maine Trail Finder and Rangeley Lakes Heritage Trust.
Height of Land
The road to the top of Route 17 can be a bumpy ride after bad weather or deep into winter, but if the road is passable, of course there’s nothing like the ground to heaven, western view at Height of Land. It’s on every map, tour guide, brochure and website that focuses on the Rangeley Lakes region, and RLHT conserved 512-acres with wetlands and riparian habitats to ensure this spectacular vista remains unspoiled.
Shelton Noyes Scenic Overlook
Another western-facing stop on the Rangeley Lakes National Scenic Byway is this overlook that provides views of Rangeley Lake and interpretive panels for self-guided learning. *Not an RLHT property, practice Leave No Trace principles.
Whip Willow Farm Scenic Overlook
Stick a little closer to town with this view from the Whip Willow Farm Scenic Overlook. The overlook is privately owned, but an RLHT easement ensures no one will develop the land below, conserving the historic view of Rangeley Lake as seen from the overlook.
Quill Hill Overlook
Nestled between Rangeley and Eustis off Route 16, the Quill Hill Scenic View is open through the winter months via foot, skis or snowmobile. There is a suggested donation of $5 per person. The Trust for Public Land, The Nature Conservancy and the State of Maine have partnered to permanently conserve this property within the larger, privately held parcel of land. Visit quillhillmaine.com for details.
*Not an RLHT property, practice Leave No Trace principles.
Perham Stream Birding Trail
Located on the back side of Saddleback Mountain, the Perham Stream Birding Trail has over two miles of easy, wide trails leading visitors through a variety of habitats and several good viewpoints of Perham Stream, Saddleback Mountain and Mt. Abraham along the trail. Nordic ski, snowshoe or walk in. Please note, this is not an RLHT property. This parcel is conserved by the High Peaks Alliance. Learn more at highpeaksalliance.org.
Mingo Landing
If the conditions are right, head out onto Rangeley Lake from Mingo Landing, located on Mingo Loop Road on the southeast side of the bridge. The spot is a hand-carry site for Rangeley Lake, specifically Hunter Cove. RLHT preserved the two-acre Mingo Landing easement in 2012 to ensure hand-carry access to Rangeley Lakes forever.
Bonney Point Conservation Area
The Bonney Point Trail is an easy one-mile loop; a short side trail leads to Smith Cove on Rangeley Lake.
There’s a half-mile of frontage on Rangeley Lake and the property has diverse habitats for songbirds, wading birds, amphibians, beaver, bear, deer and more.
RLHT acquired Bonney Point Conservation Area in 2000 from the Flint Family. These 280 acres contain a myriad of forested stands, wildlife habitat, water access and non-motorized recreational trails. This parcel is one of RLHT’s “working forests,” depicting an example of how responsible forest management benefits wildlife and people while providing an income from forest by-products.
Kennebago Woodlands
The 5,096-acre Kennebago Uplands is a working forest that RLHT will manage to conserve fish and wildlife habitat and enhance climate change resilience. Forest management will focus on sustainable harvesting for long-term health, increased carbon storage, sequestration and biodiversity.
An easier access point on the edge of this wilderness area is Boy Scout Road, a 2.2-mile dirt road that leads through a mixture of habitats, including alder streams, wetlands and deciduous forest. The Kennebago River runs roughly parallel to the road.
South Bog Conservation Area
South Bog is a 1,000-acre working forest with two unique trail experiences; a short interpretive trail highlighting the conservation area’s rich natural resources and a stream restoration effort and a longer multi-use trail to Rangeley Lake. The longer extension leaves from the western side of the stream just after the stream crossing and goes approximately 2 miles to a picnic area along the shores of Rangeley Lake, an ideal spot for snowshoeing in the winter.