Foliage map › Scenic drives › Rangeley Lakes Scenic Byway
Rangeley Lakes Scenic Byway fall foliage drive
The Rangeley Lakes Scenic Byway follows Routes 17 and 4 through the mountains and lakes of western Maine, wrapping around Rangeley Lake. Its centerpiece is the Height of Land on Route 17, one of the great views in New England, looking out over Mooselookmeguntic and Upper Richardson lakes. The color typically peaks around the last days of September at the Height of Land and around October 1 in Rangeley.
- Route
- ME 17 and ME 4
- From – to
- Mexico to Smalls Falls
- Length
- About 52 miles, including the 35.6-mile National Scenic Byway
- Typical peak
- Sep 28 – Oct 1
2026 foliage season
Typical season
Peak around October 1 at Rangeley. Turn on JavaScript to see today’s status and the five-week outlook.
Status shown for Rangeley, at 1,540 feet. See below for other points along the drive.
Peak along the route
Bars show the typical best-viewing window at each point. The dark mark is the typical peak. The last column shows today’s status.
Along the way
- Coos Canyon, where the Swift River runs through a small gorge beside Route 17 in Byron.
- The Height of Land, on Route 17, with a long view over Mooselookmeguntic and Upper Richardson lakes and the mountains beyond. The Appalachian Trail crosses the road here.
- Oquossoc, a village between Rangeley and Mooselookmeguntic lakes.
- Rangeley, on the shore of Rangeley Lake.
- Smalls Falls, on Route 4 at the southeast end, a series of waterfalls dropping through a narrow gorge.
Short walks
Smalls Falls is a short walk from the road. Off Route 4, the Appalachian Trail climbs to Piazza Rock, a huge overhanging boulder.
The season at Rangeley
Bar height shows how good the viewing typically is on each day, from September 1 through November 30. Colors show the stage, from green through peak red to bare.
Nearby destinations and guides
Trees you’ll see turning
Common questions
When is peak fall foliage on the Rangeley Lakes Scenic Byway?
In a typical year, color along the Rangeley Lakes Scenic Byway peaks from about September 28 at Height of Land to about October 1 at Rangeley. Weather can shift the timing by about a week either way.
How long is the Rangeley Lakes Scenic Byway?
About 52 miles, including the 35.6-mile National Scenic Byway, Mexico to Smalls Falls.
Peak dates come from the Leaves.com model of typical years. They are not live observations. How it works.