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Franklin County, ME

Franklin County, ME — In the Heart of the Western Mountains!

Playing Host to All That Maine Has to Offer!

Franklin County, ME, just off the beaten path, is one of the most beautiful places in New England! This four-season region offers a variety of opportunities — perfect for any individual or family lifestyle — nestled in the center of Maine’s High Peaks region in the western part of the Pine Tree State.

Franklin County, ME, includes:

  • Avon, ME
  • Carrabassett Valley, ME
  • Carthage, ME
  • Chesterville, ME
  • Coplin Plantation, ME
  • Dallas Plantation, ME
  • Eustis, ME
  • Farmington, ME
  • Industry, ME
  • Jay, ME
  • Kingfield, ME
  • New Sharon, ME
  • New Vineyard, ME
  • Phillips, ME
  • Rangeley, ME
  • Rangeley Plantation, ME
  • Sandy River Plantation, ME
  • Strong, ME
  • Temple, ME
  • Weld, ME
  • Wilton, ME    

Skiing, Hiking, and Other Outdoor Activities in Western Maine

You will love our four Maine seasons! Whatever your pleasure, each season offers something unique for outdoor enthusiasts. You can simply pick your pace.

In Franklin County, ME, exciting experiences wait for you, whether it is leaf-peeping the Heritage loop, fishing the Rangeley Lakes, white-water rafting down the Carrabassett River, hiking Tumbledown Mountain, camping in Mount Blue State Park, or even spring-skiing the peaks of Sugarloaf Mountain in your shorts!

The Appalachian Trail is a 2,000-mile continuous footpath, which starts in Georgia and ends on Maine’s Mount Katahdin. The trail stretches across Franklin County, ME, linking some of the region’s most spectacular peaks.

Maine Huts & Trails is an 80-mile hut-to-hut trail system, maintained by a year-round crew. The trails feature winding switchbacks, sandy paths along mountain streams, natural bridges, and amazing 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.

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

Sugarloaf sits in the heart of Maine’s 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. With an impressive 2,820 ft. vertical drop, it rivals many slopes in the Rocky Mountains.

Sugarloaf features 129 trails and glades (including one that stretches for 3.5 miles), snowmaking on most of the mountain and 15 lifts.

Nestled at the foot of Sugarloaf is a true Nordic village with more than 40 restaurants and shops, including grocery stores, ski and snowboard shops, specialty shops, real estate offices, a laundromat, two health clubs, and an art gallery. Summer offerings include golfing, hiking, mountain biking, and moose viewing tours, as well as facilities to host conferences and weddings.

One of Franklin County’s favorite family destinations, Titcomb offers another warm and friendly skiing option for both visitors and residents. Titcomb’s 750-foot slope features 15 alpine trails for all skill levels, a terrain trail for snowboarders, and beautiful, newly renovated Nordic trails, totaling more than 9.5 miles.

Spruce Mountain is a ski slope located on the banks of the Androscoggin River and jointly owned by the towns of Jay, ME; Livermore, ME; and Livermore Falls, ME. Spruce Mountain has 11 well-maintained trails with three old-fashioned rope-tow lifts that hauls skiers 300 feet up the mountain.

Franklin County, ME, Hosts Fun Festivals Throughout the Year!

Franklin County, ME, hosts festivals all year, and they all are a great way to connect with friends and neighbors and have fun!

In May, the University of Maine at Farmington welcomes visitors to the Fiddlehead Festival, which celebrates Maine’s agricultural heritage and passion for locally grown food.

Each June, Eustis, ME, hosts Family Fun Day, with plenty to do for every member of your family!

In July, the Kingfield Festival Days in Kingfield, ME, features four days of parades, food, and music, with a photography contest and a craft show emphasizing local artisans.

August brings with it several festivals around the county. The annual Wilton Blueberry Festival in Wilton, ME, showcases the town’s delicious blueberry creations, including jams, muffins, and pies. Downtown Farmington, ME, hosts its annual Summer Fest, a street fair with local crafters and artists, a variety of food, sidewalk sales, and musical performances. The Carrabassett Summer Festival in Carrabassett Valley, ME, is a free music festival, complete with arts, crafts, and airplane demonstrations.

In September, Livermore Falls, ME, celebrates the coming of fall and the past year’s harvest with its Apple Pumpkin Festival.

This is only a taste of all of the festivals that Franklin County, ME, and the entirety of the Pine Tree State offers!

Eat Well in Western Maine!

With a thriving local agricultural industry, western Maine’s residents and businesses support its numerous farms and local farmers markets throughout the year. Whether you enjoy cooking yourself or frequent local restaurants, Franklin County, ME, has plenty of unique food options.

Excellent cafes, eateries and fine dining establishments alike can be found throughout Franklin County, ME, including places such as the Sugarloaf Inn in Carrabassett, ME; the Orange Cat Café and One Stanley Avenue in Kingfield, ME; the Rangeley Inn & Tavern and the Gingerbread House in the Rangeley, ME, region; the Homestead and the Granary in Farmington, ME; Calzolaio Pasta Company in Wilton, ME; LaFleur’s in Jay, ME; and the Chuck Wagon in Livermore Falls, ME.

Quality Higher Education is a Priority in Franklin County, ME

Farmington, ME, enjoys a mutually rewarding relationship with the University of Maine at Farmington, located in the downtown area. The cozy, 2,000-student campus is around the same size as many of New England’s most selective private colleges, offering many of the same advantages at an affordable price. The U.S. News & World Report named UMF “one of America’s best colleges” for 15 years in a row.

Established in 1864 as Maine’s first public institution of higher education, UMF offers quality programs in teacher education, human services, and arts and sciences.