Tourism & Recreation

Four Season Recreation

In Greater Franklin County, exciting experiences can be had by all — whether it’s leaf-peeping the Heritage loop, fishing the Rangeley Lakes, white-water rafting down the Carrabassett, hiking Tumbledown Mountain, camping in Mt. Blue State Park, or even spring-skiing the peaks of Sugarloaf Mountain in your shorts!

Area Attractions

Appalachian Trail

The Appalachian Trail is a 2,000-mile continuous footpath starting in Georgia and ending atop Mount Katahdin in Maine stretches across Franklin County linking some of the region’s most spectacular peaks.

Maine Huts and Trails

Maine Huts & Trails is an 80-mile hut-to-hut trail system maintained by a dedicated and passionate year-round crew. The trails feature winding switchbacks, sandy paths along mountain streams, natural bridges, and unforgettable views. The trail system connects four ‘huts’ – off-the-grid eco-lodges with spacious communal rooms, reading areas, screened in porches, hot showers, toilets, heated bunk rooms, and gear drying rooms.

Maine Trail Finder

Maine Trail Finder is a free online resource for people-powered trails in the state of Maine. Search a growing database of four-season trails to find the right trail for your next adventure. Browse interactive trail maps, trail descriptions, pictures, and trip reports.

Mt. Blue State Park

Spectacular views of Mt. Blue and surrounding mountains ring this lakeside park that boasts a wide variety of activities for park visitors year-round. Located in the mountainous region of western Maine, Mt. Blue State Park offers a visitors an extensive network of trails, a sandy beach, popular camping area, boat launch and picnic area.

Rangeley Lakes Region

From the Rangeley Lakes Chamber of Commerce  – “Generation after generation, visitors return to the Rangeley region, a genuine four-season paradise in the western Maine mountains. Whether it's the myriad choices for outdoor adventure or the guarantee of true serenity, all with the backdrop of an area noted for its supreme natural beauty, once folks visit, they almost always come back.”

Sugarloaf

Sugarloaf USA is located in the heart of Carrabassett Valley, which was carved by the Carrabassett River and is surrounded by Maine's Western Mountains. Sugarloaf is Maine’s second-highest peak at 4,237 ft. and offers the only lift serviced above-tree line skiing in the East. Sugarloaf also boasts 129 trails and glades (one that stretches 3.5 miles), snowmaking on most of the mountain and 15 lifts. Summer offerings include golf, hiking, mountain biking, moose view tours plus facilities to host conferences and weddings. 

Titcomb Mountain

One of Franklin County’s favorite family destinations, Titcomb offers a warm and friendly skiing alternative. Titcomb’s 750-foot slope features 15 alpine trails for all skill levels, from beginner to expert, a terrain trail for snowboarders, and beautiful newly renovated Nordic trails, totaling 15.4 kilometers. Titcomb also supplements the gifts of Mother Nature with snowmaking.

Spruce Mountain

Spruce Mountain is a ski slope located on the banks of the Androscoggin River that is jointly owned by the towns of Jay, Livermore, and Livermore Falls. Spruce Mountain has 11 well-maintained trails with three uniquely old-fashioned rope tow lifts that bring you 300 feet up the mountain. Where else can you ski up the mountain as well as down?

Festivals

Festivals can be found throughout Franklin County year-round and are a great way to connect with your neighbors and see what each locale has to offer.

• In May, the Fiddlehead Festival takes place outdoors at the University of Maine at Farmington to celebrate Maine’s agricultural heritage and passion for locally grown and foraged foods.
• In June, make sure to check out Family Fun Days in Eustis. With so much to do and see, it’s a great way to have fun with the kids!
• Each July, Kingfield is home to Kingfield Festival Days, a 4-day event featuring parades, a photo contest, a craft show with local artisans, and lots of food and music.
• In August, the annual Wilton Blueberry Festival showcases the town’s delicious blueberry creations (jams, muffins, pies, and more).
• The whole family is sure to enjoy downtown Farmington’s annual Summer Fest, a street fair featuring local crafters and artists, a variety of food, farmers markets, sidewalk sales, and musical performances.
• Also in August, the Carrabassett Summer Festival in Carrabassett Valley is a free musical event with arts and craft shows and airplane demonstrations.
  On the last Saturday in September, Livermore Falls celebrates the year’s harvest with their Apple Pumpkin Festival.
• See a full listing of Maine festivals.

Local Agricultural Industry

With a thriving local agricultural industry, western Maine supports numerous farms and local Farmers’ Markets throughout the year. Whether you like to cook or frequent local restaurants, Franklin County has plenty of unique food options.

Use the Maine Federation of Farmers’ Markets Find a Market directory.