
Snow on the bank of Range Pond. Photo: Park Facebook Page
Range Pond State Park is an all-season, multi-activity destination. Located in Poland Spring, it’s 40 minutes north of Portland and less than 20 minutes from Lewiston-Auburn and Interstate 95, making the park easily accessible from most of central Maine.
This Maine state park encompasses over 700 acres on the shores of Lower Range Pond with a surface of almost 300 acres. The beach area is long and level next to a grassy area where you can find shade among the trees. Water here warms quickly in the summer, making it an ideal spot for swimmers and paddlers.
You can picnic with family and friends as there are tables and grills with water views, plus a group picnic space, shelter, and resource room.
Nearby Parks
Activities at Range Pond State Park
One reason that this park is such an attraction is because there are so many activities awaiting visitors. These include things to do in or on the water, picnicking for a few or a whole bunch, plus two playgrounds. You can launch your trailered boat, fish, hunt, snowmobile, and lots more! Even though there aren’t any camping sites here, there are campgrounds right nearby.
Accessibility here is rated as good with most of the features being fully accessible. That includes the beach where a beach wheelchair is available.
Boating at Range Pond State Park
There’s a public boat launch right next to the beach, making it easy to get out on the water. Please note that engine size is limited to 10 horse power. People like to bring their canoes, kayaks, and SUPs here. Word has it that these water craft can be rented here on summer weekends. It’s a good spot for kids who are learning to paddle.
Swimming at Range Pond State Park
The swimming here is quite ideal due to the length and slope of the beach. There is a platformed ramp that provides water access for people with disabilities. Lifeguards are in attendance during the summer beginning in mid-June, extending to mid-August.
Whether you’re with family or friends, you’ll find space for sunbathing and sand play along with taking a refreshing dip. Plus, restrooms and changing space are available for your comfort.
Hiking at Range Pond State Park
You’re sure to enjoy the scenery and hushed woods that make hiking here quite inviting. This is a moderate, multi-use trail with a forest floor and dirt surface that goes along old logging roads and woods trails. You’ll find restrooms at a few different points along the trail. Your leashed pet can join you on your hike. In the winter, you can come here to snowshoe or cross-country ski.
Biking at Range Pond State Park
You’ll be happy to know that there are a couple of mountain biking options here. Both areas are open to hunting so be sure to wear blaze orange out on the trails when it’s open season.
- There’s a two-mile trail network that can be accessed right from the beach. It loops through mixed hard and softwoods, closely following Range Pond’s shore at some points.
- Range Pond State Park Mountain Bike Trails weave throughout 400 acres of the park. They’re moderate with a climb to a scenic overlook. This is a multi-use trail, providing winter adventures for fat-biking, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing. The trails were developed with the help of volunteers and are accessed near the state park road entry.
Fishing at Range Pond State Park
Range Pond is a calm spot for your next fishing adventure. You just need to follow Maine Inland Fishing Laws that include licensing and bag limits. Since there’s a boat ramp right here, you can be out on the water in no time, fishing from your canoe, kayak, or motorized boat with a low HP engine.
There are a number of fish typically caught here, including brown and rainbow trout, yellow and white perch, largemouth and smallmouth bass, plus minnows, pickerel, and others. Your best time of day is when the park opens and later in the day, after the crowd clears from the beach.
Birding at Range Pond State Park
The park’s expansive stand of mixed woods is inviting to songbirds as well as ground birds like partridge and turkeys. A variety of woodpeckers are seen year round in the wooded areas. Eagles nest here or nearby every year.
In the summer you’re likely to see heron and kingfishers in the quieter coves around the lake. Common loons nest here, although not every year. You may see osprey because there are so many bodies of water nearby.
Nature & Wildlife at Range Pond State Park
As you hike or bike the trails and play on the beach, you’ll catch glimpses of flora and fauna. In the spring trillium, lady slippers, dogtooth violets, and other wildflowers are scattered in the woods. These give way to wild lilies and berry plants, making food for wildlife.
The park is home throughout the year to deer, fox, porcupines, and small animals, including ground hogs that hibernate. In the summer months you may find freshwater mussels and painted or snapping turtles near the beach or on rocks. Otters are a playful species, most likely observed in quiet marshes.
Pets at Range Pond State Park
Leashed pets can accompany you here, except on the beach. Please clean up and adhere to pet rules.
Camping at Range Pond State Park
Although the park is busy with activities throughout the year, there isn’t any camping here. How fortunate that there are two campgrounds right in the neighborhood!
- Poland Spring Campground has over 100 sites, including those for big rigs and some that are seasonal. Some have 30 and 50 amp service. Each comes with a table and fire pit and it looks like water’s available throughout. You can launch boats, do laundry, swim in pond or pool, and take your fur friend to the dog beach.
- Range Pond Campground is close to the park with full hookup as well as tent sites. It too is pet-friendly, has a swimming pool, and themed weekend activities. Each site has a table and fire ring.
Park Location
Range Pond State Park
26 State Park Rd,
Poland Spring, ME 04274
Phone: 207.998.4104
Map
Video
Here is a short YouTube video showcasing several features of Range Pond State Park:
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