Rangeley Lakes Scenic Byway

Rangeley to Roxbury

Western Maine · Maine · United States

Key measurements

Distance

29.7 miles

Elevation gain

2,664 ft

Elevation loss

1,483 ft

High point

2,293 ft

Low point

1,065 ft

Net change

1,175 ft (1,065 ft to 2,240 ft)

Route type

point-to-point

Route Overview

This 29.7-mile route links the Sandy River gorge in Franklin County to the high ridgelines above Mooselookmeguntic Lake, terminating in the town of Roxbury. Starting at Smalls Falls (the trip's lowest point at 1,065 feet), the road tracks northwest along Maine Route 4 into the Rangeley Lakes basin before making a sharp southwest turn onto Maine Route 17.

Though modest in overall length, the route packs substantial topography into a short window, gaining over 2,660 feet of total elevation. The climax of the drive occurs along the final leg on ME-17, where the pavement climbs dramatically across the spine of the mountain range to reach a high point of 2,293 feet near Height of Land before dropping down toward Roxbury.

Key Segments & Geographic Transitions

Sandy River Canyon to Rangeley — Miles 0.0–12.3

Beginning at the Smalls Falls Rest Area, Route 4 heads north, tucked tightly into the Sandy River drainage. The initial miles climb at a gentle, steady grade through dense northern hardwoods and softwood stands. Curves here generally mirror the winding flow of the river bed below. Pavement conditions along this corridor bear the brunt of heavy timber transport and winter frost heave, requiring a keen eye for abrupt surface shifts and patch work.

Rangeley Basin to Oquossoc — Miles 12.6–19.0

Clearing the tighter river valley, the terrain flattens temporarily as Route 4 skirts around the eastern and northern reaches of Rangeley Lake. Speed zones step down near Rangeley village, where residential access and local traffic increase. Leaving the village, the route bends west toward Oquossoc, navigating rolling hills and gentle sweeping bends that separate Rangeley Lake from Mooselookmeguntic Lake.

Height of Land Ridge to Roxbury — Miles 19.0–29.7

Picking up ME-17 South at Oquossoc, the route transitions into its most rugged geographic stretch. The road immediately begins a steep climb, rising sharply out of the lake basin along the eastern shoulder of Spruce Mountain. The highlight of this segment is the approach to Height of Land (near mile 29.3), where the trees give way to sweeping vistas over Mooselookmeguntic and Upper Richardson lakes. Beyond the ridge crest, the road begins its descent toward Oxford County and Roxbury.

Seasonal & Environmental Context

Western Maine’s mountain climate dictates conditions on this route for much of the year. Spring runoff and late seasonal thaws leave road surfaces damp and gravel-strewn well into June.

Autumn brings heavy peak-foliage traffic from late September through early October. During this period, traffic slows significantly around scenic overlooks. Late afternoon temperatures drop rapidly at higher elevations, and fog frequently settles into the low river cuts near Smalls Falls and the high pass around Height of Land.

Logistics & Services

Fuel, food, and basic services are concentrated midway through the trip in Rangeley and Oquossoc (miles 12 to 19). Once you turn south onto ME-17 at mile 19.0, services disappear entirely for the remainder of the segment heading down toward Roxbury and Byron.

Cellular coverage is reliable through Rangeley village, but signals frequently drop out in the Sandy River canyon on ME-4 and along the exposed high-elevation stretches of ME-17.

Important Considerations

Active Timber Hauling: ME-4 and ME-17 are heavily used by logging trucks year-round. These vehicles require extra lane clearance on tight valley bends and slow dramatically on the steep ME-17 incline. * Frost Heaves and Surface Degradation: Winter freeze-thaw cycles create severe vertical frost heaves, mid-corner pavement buckles, and longitudinal cracking across both routes. * Large Wildlife: Moose and white-tailed deer are extremely common along the wet lowlands near Smalls Falls and the crossing corridors around Rangeley and Mooselookmeguntic lakes, particularly at dawn and dusk. * Crosswinds: The exposed ridge line near Height of Land on ME-17 is subject to strong, sudden crosswinds sweeping off the lake basin.