Rangeley Lake State Park Trails, Rangeley and Rangeley Plantation

The trails here, probably used mostly by campers in the summer, are flat but quite rooty. One winds along the forested shore of Rangeley Lake, roughly between two open areas near the water — a picnicking and playground area near the campground and the boat launch area. In between is the beach — which is more a nice grassy area with steps leading into the water. The best place to pick up the lakeside trail is from the boat launch. The best place to find the wooded trail is by driving past the check-in station and taking your first left. The trailhead will be on the left, just after a turn in the road.

Part of the roughly .9-mile-long lakeside trail winds through a rather shadowy, gloomy wilderness camping area for people who walk into their sites with their gear. But it must be nice to sleep near the sounds of the lake water lapping at the shore.

The other, more inland trail is in the woods, and is about .8 miles long.

Directions: From Rumford via Maine Route 17, turn onto South Shore drive and continue 3 miles to Park (on left). Or, from Farmington via Maine Route 4, turn onto South Shore Drive and proceed 5 miles to Park (on right).