Rangeley Lakes Scenic Backway

This 47-mile loop connects Rangeley to Eustis through some of Maine’s most remote country, following old logging roads and timber haul routes between mountain lakes. You’ll pass Quill Hill, where the views stretch across endless forest to the Presidential Range in New Hampshire, then drop down to South Bog Stream where old logging camps once housed hundreds of lumberjacks. The road crosses the Dead River multiple times — named for its dark, still waters backed up by countless beaver dams — and passes dozens of pristine ponds that most anglers never see.

Moderate difficulty with a few challenging sections where spring washouts create rocky ledges and loose gravel. High-clearance 4WD recommended, especially after heavy rain. Best from June through October, but avoid early June when blackflies are brutal. No permits required, and there’s excellent dispersed camping throughout. Fuel up in Rangeley — you won’t see gas again until Eustis. This is the Maine that exists between the tourist routes: wild lakes, endless forest, and the kind of solitude that makes you understand why people move here and never leave.