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PHOTO: Rangeley scenic byway ambassador Lucinda Wigfield at Height of Land on Route 17. (Submitted photo)
RANGELEY — In its second year, the Rangeley Byway Ambassador program, which helps guide visitors along the Rangeley Lakes National Scenic Byway, spoke with 2,847 individuals, making more than 6,900 recommendations for regional businesses, recreational opportunities and events.
While the ambassadors spoke to fewer visitors (a reginal trend), it made more recommendations than the previous year. As in 2021, the program found that first-time visitors to the region outnumbered returning visitors, and Mainers were more likely to visit Rangeley than out-of-staters.
Sponsored by Rangeley Lakes Heritage Trust, ambassadors are stationed along the byway, which runs from Route 4 in Madrid, to Route 17 and ends in Byron. They help visitors make the most of their time in the area through a brief conversation, making recommendations, explaining the landscape, and answering any questions the visitor may have.
“The Rangeley Lakes National Scenic Byway ties our region together. It’s the pipeline into the region – that will connect you with unique opportunities only found in Rangeley,” said Amanda Laliberte, program director. “Our ambassadors live and play here and are excited to share their first-hand knowledge with our visitors. We help them find the things they are looking for and often places they didn’t know existed.”
1. Quill Hill
2. Rangeley Lakes Heritage Trust trails
3. RLN Scenic Byway & Overlooks
4. Smalls Falls Picnic Area
5. Moose Sightseeing
6. Sarge’s Pub
7. Coos Canyon
8. Saddleback
9. Portage Tap House
10. Parkside & Main
11. Rangeley Lake
12. Angel Falls hike
13. Furbish Brew House
14. Oquossoc Grocery
15. Pine Tree Frosty
16. Bald Mountain hike
17. Community Event or Festival
18. The Farmer’s Daughter
19. Rangeley Adventure Co.
20. The Alpine Shop
The 52-mile byway starts on Route 4 at the Nancy A. Perlson Scenic Turnout in Madrid, passes the Smalls Falls Rest Area, following the Sandy River valley, before dropping into the villages of Rangeley and Oquossoc, then winding over Height of Land on Route 17 before ending in Byron. It wnds through 60,000 acres of conserved public access lands offering scenic beauty and multi-season recreational opportunities, much of it stewarded by RLHT.
