Oxford County is in the Lakes and Mountains region of Maine. It includes most of the River Valley region, sometimes known as the Pennacook Valley.
Towns
- Andover — home of the Lovejoy Covered Bridge
- Bethel — near the White Mountain National Forest and home to Sunday River ski resort
- Buckfield — home of the historic Union Church (1832)
- Byron — a town near Coos Canyon and Angel Falls
- Dixfield — a milltown
- Fryeburg — a town on the Saco River with sandy beaches that promote swimming, kayaking, and canoeing
- Mexico — visit the Mexico Recreation Park
- Norway — home to Lake Pennesseewassee recreation area
- Paris
- Peru
- Roxbury — forget Boston's famous neighborhood, this Roxbury has two swimming holes
- Rumford — home to the Black Mountain of Maine ski resort
- Sweden — a small town of about 400 people set among hills, forests and ponds
- Upton — a small town of about 100 people
Talk
The River Valley is a melting pot of sorts with people from a variety of backgrounds. The primary language of the area is English, but there are still many descended from French-Canadian families who often speak French. There is a large Italian community, with a Sons of Italy lodge, as well as decedents of Polish, Lithuanian, and Scottish heritage.
Get in
The River Valley Region is north of Auburn. From Auburn, travel north on Route 4 to Route 108 West, which will bring you into Rumford, the largest town in the River Valley. You will pass through Canton, Peru, and the turn to Dixfield and Carthage.
From New Hampshire or Bethel travel East on U.S. Route 2 into Rumford. You will pass through Hanover and pass the intersection of Route 5 which brings you to Andover.
From the east (most points in Central Maine) you can travel on U.S. Route 2 West through Dixfield and Mexico into Rumford.
If you are visiting from Canada, you can travel down Route 17 from Rangeley through Byron, Roxbury and Mexico to U.S. Route 2.
Get around
Travel in the region is done primarily by automobile. In the winter, snowmobiles use an extensive trail system that is well maintained by the local clubs. While ATVs are prevalent in the area, we are only now working on developing an ATV trail system. While some of the snowmobile trails are open to mountain bikes, land owners have been hesitant to open their property to ATVs due to abuse.
See
- Andover- Andover Covered Bridge
- Byron - Angel Falls, Coos Canyon
- Rumford
- Downtown Rumford - Shopper's Island, Architecture, Vietnam Memorial, Rumford Historical Society
- Rumford Information Booth - Paul Bunyan Statue, Pennacook (Rumford) Falls, Edmund Sixtus Muskie Memorial, Indian Sillhouettes
- Rumford Falls Village - Rumford Library, Strathglass Park (architecture)
- Rumford Center Village - Rumford Historic Society Museum
- Ponds & Rivers
- Androscoggin River (fed by the Rangeley Lakes, passes through Hanover, Rumford, Mexico, Dixfield, Peru and Canton)- Commonly used for fishing, canoeing, kayaking and light boating. The river was once used to transport logs to the local paper mills, and as such has lost much of its depth. Boating is limited to shallow water boats in many areas.
- Ellis River (Passes Through Andover and Rumford, feeds the Androscoggin River in Rumford Point) - A beautiful river to canoe or kayak. The variable depth restricts access by larger boats. Fishing is common, as is swimming in some areas.
- Swift River (Passes through Byron, Roxbury, Mexico and Rumford, Feeds the Androscoggin at the Mexico/Rumford line) - This variable depth river has limited opportunities for kayaking and fewer for canoeing depending upon the season. Swimming is common all along the river.
- Roxbury Pond - Recreational pond with public beaches and boat launches. Off Route 17 in Roxbury (by the town hall) take Frye Crossover Road to Route 120, turn right, follow signs.
Do
- Skiing — alpine & nordic
- Fishing - Androscoggin River, Roxbury Pond, Worthley Pond, Garland Pond, Canton Lake, Swift River, Ellis River
- Swimming - There are a number of ponds and swimming holes throughout the area (see individual towns for details)
- Hunting
- Hiking
- Snowmobiling
- Canoeing and kayaking - Androscoggin River, Roxbury Pond, Worthley Pond, Garland Pond, Canton Lake, Swift River, Ellis River
- Animal and bird watching
Eat
- Rumford Center
- Rumford Falls Village
- Hotel Rumford
- Brian's Bistro
- Rumford House of Pizza
- Mountain Valley Variety (take out)
- Gatch's Food & Spirits
Drink
Stay safe
Watch for moose, colliding with them is the last thing you want to do, and probably would be.
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