Rangeley Lake Campground

Book an RV in Franklin County and consider making your first stop the Bigelow Preserve, which is spread from Flagstaff Lake to West Peak and includes a variety of ecosystems, such as beech-birch-maple and spruce-fir forests, shrub marshes, raised bogs, ridges, and cliffs. This complex balance of ecosystems makes for some amazing nature observation as you hike the tens of miles of trails or kayak or canoe the open waters. The preserve hosts numerous rare plant species including varieties of grasses, flowers, and ferns; there are resident wildlife within the preserve, but none are known to be rare or endangered. Mt. Blue State Park is near the town of Weld and is open to the public year-round during daylight hours, although specific opening and closing times may vary with the seasons (you should check ahead to find out what these hours are). It's a popular destination, and in the summer, you can come here to go hiking and mountain biking, swimming and fishing, and picnicking. In the winter, it provides opportunities for cross-country skiing and snowmobiling, snowshoeing, and ice skating. Mahoosuc Public Reserve Land is a multi-use preserve that provides timber resources (which help offset the cost of managing the land), habitat for rare plants and wildlife, and recreational opportunities for the public. If you decide to come hiking here, there are short scenic routes you can take that lead to gorges and waterfalls; the backcountry area is rugged and challenging for those who are up to it, and the backcountry trails lead to summit peaks with spectacular views (the backcountry is a part of the Appalachian Trail). The park has a scenic byway with several spots where you can pull over to appreciate the sights. Bring your RV rental with you, and you can combine a relaxing tour of the area with comfortable chairs and a hot meal.