Lone Mountain Riverfront Campground

Keen to get out in the Western Maine Mountains? Head to Rumford Whitecap Mountain Preserve (10 minutes’ drive) for a day on hiking trails with pine forest and summit views, plus the chance to spot moose and bald eagles. For more adventurous souls, the spectacular and fabled Appalachian Trail runs through the fringes of the local town Andover (five minutes). Keep the kids entertained with outdoor activities – disc golf, climbing walls and daredevil zipwires – in the alpine Sunday River Mountain Park (25 minutes), where you can also take year-round chairlift rides up North Peak for views and walking. Close by is another mountain hotspot: Bethel (half an hour) is popular for summer kayaking and whitewater rafting as well as challenging and steep bike trails. Bethel also has a couple of spots for occasional bad-weather days. Learn about the geology of the mountains at the Maine Mineral and Gem Museum, where pieces of meteorite, striking coloured quartz and precious gems are on display, or take the kids to see a film at The Gem Theater.