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Discover the magic of the Lakes Region. A four-season destination with something
for everyone. Enjoy water sports in the spring and summer, snow and ice sports in
the winter and beautiful foliage in the fall. In any season, the Greater Bridgton Lakes
Region offers you the facilities to enjoy a myriad of recreational opportunities.
If you are looking for a relaxing retreat, you've come to the right place. The air
is clean, the water pure, the woods inspiring, the fish plentiful, the loons happy, and
the night sky bright with stars.
In addition to the beauty, it's the communities that really make it special. The
Lake Region consists of 13 villages and small towns. Each community is host to
many annual events that are fun for all. Unique shops, a vibrant artistic community
and a diverse group of people, combined to make it a place where you will want to
return, year after year. Antique and specialty shops; restaurants ranging from ethnic
specialties to boat accessible dining are all here. Accommodations are designed to
meet every need from campgrounds and family resorts to small motels, quaint bed
and breakfasts and quiet cabins.
The Lakes Region offers a high quality of life. Whether you choose to vacation,
work, or move here, you'll be happy you did.
Paris is an idyllic New England village, that includes the towns of W. Paris, N. Paris,
S. Paris and Paris Hill. The streets are lined with quaint homes. The view from the
village, atop a high hill in Oxford County, is a White Mountain vista that stretches
from Mt. Chocorua to Mt. Washington. It has been called the finest view in Maine.
Paris sits on a Paleozoic bed of quartz crystallization called Pegmatite, in which
many semi-precious gems and rare minerals can be found. Discover the beautiful,
Snow Fall Gorge area, where you can hike or just relax. This site, has a cascading
waterfall to the gorge, a bridge that crosses the gorge and provides you with a
good vantage point of the falls and river. Search for gems and minerals like garnet,
quartz and tourmaline. Oxford Hills stretches from the borders of Lewiston-Auburn
to the Mountains and Lakes Regions in Western Maine. Come explore the unlimited
beauty and natural resources this area has to offer. The scenery is breathtaking at
every turn, from pristine lakes, ponds, rivers and mountains to vista views of Mount
Washington and the Presidential Range. You never know what you may encounter
while riding through town.
Oxford Hills has more than ten lakes and ponds, including Lake Pennesseewassee
of Norway, Crystal Lake and Long Lake of Harrison, and South Pond of Buckfield;
all of which are havens for boating, swimming, fishing, cross country skiing,
snowmobiling and more!
Be sure your ride to Maine includes a trip through the Oxford Hills, Paris and the
surrounding towns, there's plenty to do and you won't be disappointed.
At the junction of Routes 2, 5 and 26 lies the town of Bethel. An extraordinary array of
accommodations, restaurants and riding loop choices make Bethel the ideal hub for
a multiple day trip! The historic village contains a variety of shopping opportunities.
A walk in the Broad Street National Historic District or a Frisbee game on the village
common is a memorable way to spend an evening.
For something a little more physical go for a walk or jog on our beautiful Bethel
Recreational Path; or maybe canoe or kayak on the Androscoggin River (canoe or
kayak rentals are available in the area.)
Heading west on Route 2 from Bethel ten miles, take a left on Route 113 — a lovely
scenic driving loop through the Evans Notch region of the White Mountain National
Forest to Fryeburg, and then back on Rt. 5 north to Bethel. The Artists' Covered Bridge
is a short ride from the town center. Take Route 2 east from Bethel Village, turn left
at the Sunday River Rd. and follow the covered bridge signs. A ride to either Sunday
River Ski Resort's Jordan Bowl base area provides a beautiful panoramic view of the
Mahoosuc Mountains or to the South Ridge base lodge area where you can take a ride
up the mountain on the new Chondola!
For a longer ride, take a left on Route 26 north at its junction with Route 2 east (stop
at Bear River Trading Post for gas); the scenery along this route is amazing as it winds
its way along the Bear River. There are plenty of places to pull off the road for picnics
and pictures.
Step Falls at Wight Brook Nature Preserve is a good place to take a break. It is a
long chain of falls with pools for wading and swimming. The driveway access to it is
eight miles from that same junction of Rt. 2 and 26, and is just a half-mile south of
Grafton Notch State Park. In the Park, a couple miles north, on the left, is Screw Auger
Falls. Here you will find picnic tables, toilets, and a large parking lot. Continuing north
on Rt. 26 you will come to Mother Walker Falls and Moose Cave, both good stretch-
your-legs spots. The Appalachian Trail crosses Rt. 26 a little further up the road; there is
a parking lot on the left with toilets and hiking signs. For those looking for a hike, Table
Rock and Eyebrow Rock, are both loop trails about two miles long.
Further north on Rte. 26, in Errol, NH you can visit the Lake Umbagog National
Wildlife Refuge, where a pontoon boat cruise or a leisurely walk can provide you with
the sights and sounds of nature at its best!
These are all fantastic rides and experiences in an unspoiled setting... and so close
to the comforts of Bethel!
Farmington is in Franklin county and home to the University of Maine at Farmington,
the Ski Museum of Maine, the annual Farmington Fair, and Chester Greenwood
Day to name a few. Chester invented earmuffs, he also invented automobile shock
absorbers, whistling tea kettle and hundreds more. An annual earmuff-themed
parade is held the first Saturday every December.
Other Historical interests: the Red Schoolhouse Museum and Union Meeting
House. Don't miss the opportunity to discover and explore!
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