Rangeley Rendezvous

Aziscohos Lake/Magalloway River Guided All Day Paddle – Crystal-clear water flowing through thousands of acres of protected lands makes a paddle on this lake the iconic wilderness journey.  With eagles flying overhead, loons calling to each other, moose standing in the shallows and surrounded by a ring of mountains, the beauty of this lake is truly breathtaking. Start and end points may be modified to optimize for weather and wind.

• Leisurely Loon tour: Put-in at the top of the lake for a leisurely guided paddle for 6 miles, exploring the Magalloway and Little Magalloway rivers, with a break for lunch.  Bring your own snacks and water. Approx. time: 5 hours including travel time. Easy/moderate, depending on wind conditions. Guide: David Butler or Seth Laliberty
• Full Steam: Fast Pace with friends:  Starting at Black Brook Cove paddle full steam for 15 miles, taking out at the top of the lake. No stopping, bring your own snacks and water to consume on the go. For training or for fun, this is designed for people who like to paddle fast. Approx. time: 6 hours including travel time.  Moderate paddle, rigorous if wind picks up. We will have 1-2 pontoon boats as “sag wagons” for safety, and paddlers will be provided with a map and/or GPS line, but this is more of a group paddle than a guided trip. Support: Jeff & Kyle LaRochelle

Kennebago River Guided Half Day Paddle – Flowing through the Kennebago 3000, a 3,000 acre conservation area, the river winds its way through dense forest to meet the Rangeley River in Cupsuptic Lake. Paddling at a comfortable pace allows you to take in the wild scenery and the good chance of seeing moose, eagles and loons.  Popular with anglers, you will likely see trout underneath your boat. Look for the trout “nests” in the river bed. Tour will put in at the Kennebago River Road Bridge and continue to the lake at Indian Rock.  Explore the cove and look for the teepees and old wooden boat tucked in the woods.  This cove is a good place for an invigorating dip in the lake. Paddle upstream against a gentle current to the take out at the Rte. 16 bridge. Time: approximately 4 hours, including transportation.  Bring snacks and water. Easy or moderate. Will have to negotiate a few, small riffles along the way. Guide: Carl Blondell or Jeff McCabe

South Bog Guided Half Day Paddle – Beginning at Rangeley Lake State Park we’ll paddle west to the South Bog area of Rangeley Lake.  Surrounded by conserved land by the Rangeley Lakes Heritage Trust, this is a quiet area of the lake and is a popular place for loons and other wildlife. Time:  approximately 3 ½ hours, including transportation.  Bring snacks and water.  Flatwater paddle. Guide: Carl Blondell

Cupsuptic River Women’s Guided Half Day Paddle – Put in at boat launch on Rt. 16 bridge, paddle upstream into the woods against a very slow, gentle current.  Rounding several bends in the river, the chances of seeing wildlife are many.  Paddle continues upstream to Mooch’s, a lone camp on the river. This is a good place to pull up on the rocks, take a break, maybe take a dip in the river. Paddling back to the put in is as beautiful as the trip in. Bring snacks and water. 9 am – noon. Guide: Dano Archibee

Saddleback Lake Guided Half Day Paddle – Wildlife photography tour with professional wildlife photographer and guide Nick Leadley.  Enjoy a leisurely paddle the lake looking for loons, moose and other wildlife.  Approximately 3 1/2 hours, including transportation.  Bring a snack and water.  This is a flat water paddle.

Saturday Sunset Paddle on Rangeley Lake – Paddle west into the sunset on one of the longest days of the year. Meet at 7:30 pm in Rangeley Town Park

Sunday Solstice Sunrise Paddle – Celebrate the summer solstice with us as we paddle to the sunrise. Beginning at the bridge over Hunter Cove on Mingo Loop Road, we’ll paddle out of the cove into Rangeley Lake taking in the sunrise as we paddle east to the town park. Feel free to bring a thermos of coffee. 5 -7 a.m.

Half Day Skills Clinics

• Self-rescue clinic – Learn to get back into your canoe if you find yourself in the water.
• Poling Clinic – learn the basics of this technique for navigating shallow or upstream water.
• Paddle Strokes – Forward Stroke, sweeps, J-stroke – what do you want to work on?

Sunday Race – TIATIAGNMR: The informal Around the Island Anything Goes No Motors Race. We are resurrecting a Rangeley Tradition. Join us to win, or just to get out and about with friends. Start 8 am.

Danielle (Dano) Archibee has been an avid outdoors woman for years.  Her passion for adventure and nature inspired her to get her Maine Guide’s License in 2022 and began guiding part-time.  As one of the two guides for Magalloway Outfitters, her skills are in hiking, cycling, xc skiing, snowshoeing, kayak and canoeing. Dano is known for guiding trips during the full moon.  Leading several women only trips, she has a devoted following.  Dano is an enthusiastic leader for the Junior Guides program sponsored by the Rangeley Region Sportsman and Guides Association.

Carl Blondell, a native New Englander living in Rangeley, Maine, has been a guide for over 40 years.  His experience began in whitewater rafting in Colorado, Wyoming, Utah and Alaska.  Returning east, he got his Maine guide’s license in the ‘80’s for whitewater rafting and recreation.  As a paramedic, working for Wilderness Medical Associates in Portland, he travels teaching wilderness first aid throughout the US as well as internationally. He’s worked as a paramedic for more than 30 years, serving in Iraq for 2 years and Nicaragua several times supporting an orthopedic surgical team.  A frequent traveler with a passion for skiing, his goal is to ski every continent.  To date he’s skied 5 continents, more than 20 countries and 138 ski areas.

Seth Laliberte has been exploring his native Maine all his life.  Moving to Rangeley 25 years ago, his focus has been on the woods and waters in western Maine.  While previously focusing on fishing, he has been leading canoe and kayak trips with the local kids and adults.  The principal of Rangeley Lakes Regional School he has long supported the idea that kids should be outdoors.  The owner of Rangeley Adventure Co. with his wife Michelle and his three children, he runs guided trips from the business and supports local programs for conservation and outdoor education.

Nick Leadley is a professional photographer who loves to be on the water and anywhere else outdoors.  Nick frequently guides his clients on the water for purposes of teaching photography skills from a canoe or kayak.  Living in Rangeley has blessed the locals and visitors with captivating prints of the landscape and wildlife native the area.  His collection of up close loon photos resulted in the publication of his book Gavia.  Most known for his bird photography, Nick leads birding trips to exotic places like Costa Rica.  His own travels include New Zealand, Africa, Iceland, and Svalbard.

The Rangeley Inn: Our partners and ROAR sponsors at The Rangeley Inn are offering a 15% discount to folks coming for Rangeley Rendezvous. Booking for 2026 is now open! The discount code is PADDLE. Click here to visit their website and book your stay!

Morton & Furbish Vacation Rentals is pleased to offer a 20% discount at participating properties. This discount applies to stays of at least two nights, is valid on the nightly rate only, and does not include taxes or fees. When guests enter arrival/departure dates, the discount will automatically apply and display as slashed pricing, and the booking page will show “ Rangeley Rendezvous Discount Applied.” Click here to view rentals.

Rangeley Lakes Trails Center: The Trails Center is offering camping for Rangeley Rendezvous participants. These options include primitive tent camping (no water, nor fires, pit toilets and RV parking (no hookups). Cost is $30/night and proceeds support the Trails Center. Click here to learn more and book your site!

Rangeley Lake State Park: Located 15 minutes from town on the south shore of Rangeley Lake … with hot showers! Click here to learn more and reserve your site.

Cupsuptic Lake Park & Campground: Located 15 minutes from town on the shores of Cupsuptic Lake. Tent sites and full hookups. Click here to learn more and inquire about availability.

Black Brook Cove Campground: Located 25 minutes from Rangeley on Aziscohos Lake. Tent sites, full hookups, and cabins. Click here etc learn more and reserve your spot.

The Rangeley Rendezvous is brought to you by our generous sponsors and partners. If you’d like to support the ROAR, please contact Karrie Thomas at karrie@northernforestcanoetrail.org.

Rangeley Lakes Heritage Trust
Rangeley Adventure Co.
The Rangeley Inn
Rangeley-Oquossoc Chamber of Commerce
Maine Sports Commission
Maine Lakes & Mountains Tourism Commission
Saddleback Mountain
Morton & Furbish
Kate’s Bars
LMNT