Kayaking & Canoeing
Paddling through the Rangeley Lakes Region of western Maine is an immersion into wilderness that feels both timeless and restorative. Glassy waters ripple beneath your bow as loons call across the lake, and the silhouettes of spruce-covered islands dot the horizon. This is canoe and kayak country at its finest—a network of lakes, rivers, and quiet coves that invite exploration at whatever pace you choose.
Rangeley Lake itself is a perfect starting point, its broad expanse fringed with hidden beaches and forested islands that beg for shoreline picnics. For those craving wilder water, Mooselookmeguntic Lake stretches wide and scenic, offering countless opportunities to weave between islands or pull ashore for a night of camping beneath the stars.
For multi-day trips, few routes rival the Richardson Lakes. Paddlers can follow winding shorelines into quiet coves, stop at primitive campsites, and wake each morning to sunrises spilling across mountain ridges. These waters connect into the larger Northern Forest Canoe Trail, offering the chance to extend your journey across some of New England’s most storied waterways.
Cupsuptic Lake is equally rewarding, with its remote feel and direct access to Cupsuptic Lake Park & Campground, where tent sites and lean-tos provide a comfortable base for longer paddling adventures.
Camping is integral to the Rangeley paddling experience. Along with Cupsuptic Lake Park & Campground, Haines Landing on Mooselookmeguntic provides a classic spot to launch and overnight nearby.
On a smaller scale, the Cupsuptic and Kennebago rivers are local treasures, flowing gently through forested corridors alive with wildlife—from moose browsing in the shallows to bald eagles circling overhead
For a more rustic adventure, look for designated remote sites scattered across the Richardson Lakes, each offering fire rings, picnic tables, and a front-row seat to star-filled skies. With less activity on Richardson, there’s a built in serenity that will make you feel like you’ve stepped back to a time when life was simpler and the idea of connection to nature came that much easier.
Gear is easy to come by, whether you’re traveling light or need a full outfitting. Local shops in the town of Rangeley provide rentals, maps, and expert advice, ensuring you head onto the water prepared. The Rangeley Chamber of commerce can connect you to guides and shuttle services — making point-to-point paddles and extended expeditions seamless.
The secret to making the most of your time here lies in balance—linger on an island beach, take the slower river route, and don’t rush the moments of stillness. In the Rangeley Lakes Region, every paddle stroke reveals more than scenery; it connects you to the quiet heartbeat of Maine’s north woods.
But if you’re looking for something that’s 180 degrees from serenity and solitude, white-water is the ultimate way to experience the wild beauty of the North Woods. The legendary Rapid River, tumbling from Lower Richardson Lake into Lake Umbagog, is renowned for its Class III and IV rapids.
With steep drops, powerful waves, and narrow chutes, it offers seasoned paddlers a heart-pounding ride through one of the most spectacular stretches of whitewater in New England. Equally thrilling, the Kennebago River delivers fast-moving water and technical challenges that keep kayakers sharp and exhilarated.
These rivers are as unforgiving as they are unforgettable, which makes safety paramount. Helmets, proper flotation gear, and scouting rapids before dropping in are essential steps. Many visitors tackle these runs with the help of experienced guides who know every twist and surge of the current.
In Rangeley, white-water kayaking isn’t just a sport—it’s a test of skill, nerve, and respect for the raw power of Maine’s rivers. It’s an adventure that leaves paddlers breathless, humbled, and eager to return for more.
Renting gear
& shuttle services
In Rangeley, Maine, paddlers can rent canoes and kayaks from many outfitters in town. A few are listed below:
Rangeley Adventure Company They offer daily and half-day rentals of Old Town and Penobscot canoes, single and tandem kayaks, plus guided DIY outings on the Kennebago and Cupsuptic Rivers. Ecopelagicon
River’s Edge Sports in Oquossoc provides a large fleet of canoes, kayaks, and paddleboards with launch options from their dock on Rangeley Lake; delivery services are available too. riversedgesports.com
Dockside Sports Center & Marina on South Shore Drive, Expeditions North, and Haines Landing Marina also offer rentals.
They can be reached through: rangeley-maine.com