Summer Season – June through September

Summer is a great time to visit Maine’s Northwestern Mountains Region – this area is the "hidden gem" in Northern Franklin County. The weather is mostly warm with some cool days and evenings. It is a season with diversified activities and should NOT be missed! “I came for the winter and stayed for the summer,” is something you will hear the locals tell you.

We, at Maine’s Northwestern Mountains, want the following information to give you an overview of our area and for our visitors to find activities that will create and maintain Maine’s Northwestern Mountains Region as a thriving four-season tourist destination.

• Climb the Fire Warden’s Trail up Bigelow Mountain.
• Visit Meyer Lodge Beach in the Bigelow Preserve for great scenic views - enjoy a refreshing swim in Flagstaff Lake before an enjoyable picnic on the beach.
• Swim in Flagstaff Lake, Carrabassett River or Huston Brook Falls.
• Enjoy one of the many camping areas – either full facilities or rustic.
• Drive the 51 miles of the Maine High Peaks Scenic Byway from Kingfield to Coburn Gore – the entrance to Canada. You’ll need a passport to go on to Canada.
• Bike on the many mountains and fat-tire biking trails available.
• Visit the Wire Bridge in New Portland - built in the mid-1800s, probably the only suspension bridge still in use in the United States.
• Hike or bike the Narrow Gauge Pathway and the Sugarloaf Outdoor Center Trails in Carrabassett Valley.
• Visit the Dead River Historical Society in the village of Stratton.
• Plan to take time for a swim at the Carrabassett Town Pool and enjoy the Town of Carrabassett Valley’s park.
• Ride into history on the Sandy River Railroad in Phillips.
• Canoe or kayak the Upper Dead River from the Cathedral Pine Campground to the dam in Eustis and float downstream with spectacular views of the mountainous surroundings.
• Visit the Stanley Museum in Kingfield. Stanley’s accomplishments range from photography to manufacturing steam cars.
• Play a round of golf at the Sugarloaf Golf Club on Sugarloaf Mountain.
• Stay at the Haunted Herbert Hotel in Kingfield – listed on the National Park Services National Registry of Historic Homes.
• Enjoy a waterfall hike to any of the five waterfalls located in the area.
• Drive Route 16 to Rangeley around dusk and you may see a moose, also watch out for deer. BE CAREFUL, the eyes of a moose do not reflect like a deer.!
• Go blueberry picking, eating - check with the locals for the best spots!
• Take a Scenic Boat Tour on Flagstaff Lake and learn the lake’s history from a Master Maine Guide along with the story of “The Lost Towns of Flagstaff Lake”.
• Visit the Kingfield Historical Society.
• Enjoy a scenic chairlift ride up Sugarloaf Mountain. – be prepared to walk down while enjoying the beautiful mountain views of the Bigelow Preserve.
• Try your ability at Disk Golf on Sugarloaf Mountain.
• Thinking about winter, visit the Maine Ski Museum in Kingfield, open year-round.
• Plan a drive to Quill Hill on Route 16 from Stratton for a 360° breathtaking view of the area mountains and lakes including Maine, New Hampshire and Mount Katahdin – the highest mountain in Maine which is 150 miles away.
• Practice your Stand Up Paddleboard, canoeing, and kayaking skills on Flagstaff Lake.
• Consider an ATV adventure in Maine’s Northwestern Mountains Region that allows riders to experience all types of terrain.
• Hike the portion of the Appalachian Trail or paddle the section of the Northern Forest Canoe Trail available to all in Maine’s Northwestern Mountains Region. 
• Enjoy a thrilling high speed cruise through the woods with Sugarloaf’s zip lines.
• Visit Bigelow Fields on Route 16 from Stratton, home of a bison farm with great views of the Bigelow Range.
• Check the many restaurants for the best lobster roll in Maine’s Northwestern Mountains area.
• Visit the Town of Kingfield for local art galleries, museums and specialty shops with “Maine Made” products.
• The variety of hiking opportunities are extensive - explore ten of the 4,000’ mountains in Maine’s High Peaks Region.
• Visit one or all four Eco-Lodges with 80 miles of hiking and biking trails maintained by Maine Huts and Trails.
• Plan a trip to Canada, just 51 miles north on Route 27, Maine High Peaks Scenic Byway, to the border at Coburn Gore – DON’T FORGET YOUR PASSPORT! 
• Make your plans to attend the Annual Kingfield POPS outdoor concert the last Saturday in June.
• Enjoy fishing in our rivers, brooks, streams, lakes, and ponds.
• Camp on an island in Flagstaff Lake or tent at one of the many sites in the Bigelow Preserve.
• Your four-footed friend is also welcome for a hike on many of our pet-friendly trails.
• Visit some of the oldest sporting camps in Maine.
• Bring the whole family to “Family Fun Days” in the Village of Stratton in June for family games, adventures and a spectacular fireworks display.
• Plan a day hike up Burnt Mountain.
• How about a Segway Tour that will get you off the pavement and onto some of Sugarloaf’s ski trails?
• Celebrate at one of our local restaurants that feature a “Two for One” special.
• Watch for the many outdoor concerts in Maine’s Northwestern Mountains Region.
• Is it raining? Stop to bowl in Carrabassett Valley, bring the Family to the Carrabassett Valley Antigravity Center or enjoy quiet time at the Carrabassett Valley Public Library.
• Plan a Carrabassett Valley, Flagstaff Lake or Mt. Abram Tour with Sugarloaf Aviation.
• Visit Grand Falls near the Flagstaff Lake - Maine’s Huts and Trail Lodge.
• BONUS! Stop at the Maines’ Northwestern Mountains Visitor’s Center in Carrabassett and Joni and Kobe, our resident standard poodle, will come up with hundreds of ideas for great things to do in Maine’s Northwestern Mountains Region.