Maine: Rangeley, Grant’s Kennebago Lake Camps – A Secret Family Fishing Spot. 
Amid the western mountains of Maine there’s a secret family vacation spot that has been offering old-fashioned hospitality and rustic charm to guests since 1904. It’s a place where time slows if only for a week and the only decisions to be made relate to fishing, boating, hiking, swimming or when to show up for dinner.
Accommodations: A traditional sporting camp atmosphere accommodates 18 cozy lakeside cabins just a few steps from the waters edge with a dock and your traditional Rangeley boat ready for use. All cabins have wood stoves and most are supplemented with electric heat. Screened-in porches with rocking chairs make it inviting to slow down, relax and soak in the spectacular views of the lake and surrounding mountains. The cabins are comfortable and all have private baths with hot showers. An ample supply of wood is just outside of each cabin.
Bonus points: The cabins have no phones, no radios or TVs.
What’s to eat? Three meals are provided for guests each day. With advance notice, the staff will gladly adjust entrées to meet special dietary requirements. They’ll even pack picnic lunches for those who will be away all day. Bonus points: Most guests fish “catch and release” but it is an option to enjoy a fresh-caught trout or salmon for breakfast.
Need to know: Bring your own beer or wine because they do not serve any alcoholic beverages.
Activities: Grant’s Kennebago Lake Camps is the place to relax, listen to the loons and watch the sunset over West Kennebago Mountain. The obvious benefit is the natural beauty, peaceful atmosphere and the friendly, unhurried pace of camp life. Activities enjoyed by all include: canoeing Moose Run, walks along the river trails, mountain biking (bikes provided), scenic flights, kayaking, photography, climbing West Mountain, fly fishing lessons (rods provided), a history boat trip around the lake, games on the recreation field, picnics at Norton Beach and children's playground.
Canoe Upper Kennebago River. After a hearty breakfast guests are transported to the famous "Moose Run" and invited to paddle back to camp for lunch. The family-sized ABS canoes are stable and ideal for moose watching while taking a leisurely paddle on the river or lake.
Make your own discoveries hiking or biking. Grant’s maintains five miles of trails along the river and there are other trails including West Mountain, and the loop around Flat Iron and John's Pond. If a high energy adventure is what you are looking for then the staff can help plan a one-mile tour mountain biking tour within the property boundaries or a 62-mile route around the region.
Get close to the water. Swimming is right in front of your camp or you may take a pleasant walk to the sandy beach at the causeway or choose to take a boat across the lake for a picnic and swim. The lake is ideal for sail boating, canoeing, and kayaking because there are no high speed power boats on the lake.
Discovery: Grant’s has space and staff to handle reunions and weddings. The large natural pine, fireplace dining room with spectacular views of the lake and mountains can comfortably accommodate up to 60 guests.
Value added: There are specials advantages for families including free use of boat and motor, canoes, kayaks, bikes, and sailboat at certain times of the year.
Bonus points: Mom does not have to make beds, clean or cook.
Location on the planet: Grant's Kennebago Camps, Rangeley, ME 04970. 1-800-633-4815 or
www.grantscamps.com
Content researched and written by FTF; images provided by Grants Camps. Copyright 2012.
