Scenic Drive Ideas
The Coos Canyon Cruise – Driving time approximately 2 ½ hours
Ride South on Route 17, a National Scenic Highway, stopping at Noyes Overlook on left and Height of Land Scenic turnout on right. Continue South to Coos Canyon, a GREAT place to take a dip, take some photos and explore! Check out Coos Canyon Rock and Gift Shop serving hand-dipped hard serve ice-cream, snacks, beverages, rocks, crystals, jewelry, and more! Continue on the route, turning right on Route 120 West to Andover, then take Route 5 South to Route 2. Turn right on Route 2 West and take Route 26 North, stopping at Grafton Notch State Park and see Screw Auger
Falls. Continue on Route 26 to Errol and take Route 16 East back to Rangeley.
The Kingfield Joyride – Driving time approximately 2 hours
Take Route 16 East to Stratton and Routes 16 & 27 south to Sugarloaf Mountain and Carrabassett Valley. Continue on to Kingfield and watch for signs by a bridge spanning the Carrabassett River for Public Scenic Overlook called Ira Mountain. This road is narrow but the view is worth the trip. In Kingfield take Route 27 south to see Wire Bridge (watch for signs) in New Portland, and take Route 234 back to Route 4. Take Route 4 North and stop at Small’s Falls (State Rest Area) and hike short trails to another set of falls if you’d like! Continue on Route 4 North to Rangeley.
Stratton Site Seeing – Driving time approximately 2.5 hours
Take Route 16 East to Stratton. At 7.3 miles turn right on Oddy’s Road for Quill Hill scenic view. It is 4.5 miles to top, the road is gravel but in good shape. Views are spectacular Continue on Route 16 to Stratton. Turn left on Route 27 North to Cathedral Pines Campground. Across from the campground entrance turn left on Eustis Ridge Road and continue to small picnic area for views of the Bigelow Mountains. Return to Route 27 and continue north on 27 passing beautiful Chain of Ponds to Canadian border. If you wish, go on to Lac Megantic, a Canadian city on Lake Megantic. You must have a passport. Follow same route back to Rangeley. Driving time to border approximately 50 minutes.
The Sandy River Spin – Driving time approximately 2 hours
Take Route 4 South towards Phillips. Twelve miles south, stop at Rest Area Smalls Falls for a picnic and walk on the trails around the falls. Continue on route 4 South. Turn right on Route 142, past Mt. Blue State Park, on to Dixfield. Take Route 2 West to Scenic Route 17 North to Oquossoc, Route 4 to Rangeley.