Lovell Between Kezar Lake, Hiking Trails, and History

Lovell brings together Kezar Lake, public hiking trails, and historic gathering places. Its scenery, outdoor activities, and local history give visitors different ways to shape their stay. As you plan, consider which of these aspects you’d most like to explore.

Kezar Lake and Water Activities

Kezar Lake is in the Town of Lovell in Oxford County, Maine. It covers 2,665 acres and stretches 9 miles from north to south. Its size makes the lake a striking part of Lovell’s landscape. Even if you don’t plan to spend all your vacation on the water, the lake is a defining feature of the town’s natural setting.

There’s a specific paddling option at Kezar River Reserve: it has a launch site for hand-carried canoes and kayaks, and a canoe is available for public use. The reserve can be reached via Route 5, north of Lovell Village. While Kezar Lake’s expanse shapes the landscape, the launch at the reserve offers a specific opportunity for a paddling trip.

Trails with Different Characteristics

The Greater Lovell Land Trust maintains public trail networks in Lovell with a range of lengths, difficulty levels, and landscapes—from lake shores to mountain summits. So if you’re comparing hikes, you can consider more than just trail length: difficulty and scenery also define each route. This makes it easier to plan a day of hiking around your interests and preferred level of challenge.

Public hiking is available at Chip Stockford Reserve. John A. Segur Wildlife Refuge has a 1.5-mile trail network. It runs from a parking area on Farrington Pond Road to two wildlife observation sites on the banks of Sucker Brook. If you’d like to look for wildlife along the way, you’ll find two designated viewing spots there; Chip Stockford Reserve offers another public hiking option.

Discover Lovell’s History

Lovell Meeting House was built between 1796 and 1798 as a place for religious and civic gatherings. Over the course of its history, it also served as a venue for entertainment and recreation. These varied uses give the building a distinctive historical role: it represents not only religious gatherings, but also civic and community activities.

Lovell Historical Society is located in the historic Kimball-Stanford House, built in 1839. It is open Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., and by appointment. Check the visiting hours before you arrive. The Meeting House and the 1839 house offer different connections to local history: one tells the story of its varied past uses, while the other is home to the Historical Society.

Plan Your Stay Around Your Interests

When looking for a vacation rental in Lovell, it can help to first decide what kind of getaway you want. Would you like to choose hikes by length, difficulty, and scenery? Are you interested in exploring local history, or is the lakeside landscape your main draw? These different options make Lovell a destination you can explore in a way that suits your interests.

Discover more destinations: Paris, Fryeburg, Newry, Norway, Rumford.

View the regional travel guide: Oxford.