Lovell: Kezar Lake, Hiking Trails, and History

Lovell is in Oxford County, Maine; Kezar Lake is located in the Town of Lovell. The area also has historic sites and specific opportunities for hiking and canoeing or kayaking.

Kezar Lake: Size and Extent

Kezar Lake covers an area of 2,665 acres and stretches 9 miles from north to south. These two measurements describe different aspects: the area conveys the size of the body of water, while the length indicates its extent in a north-south direction. Together, they provide two different points of reference for understanding the lake’s geographic scale.

Historic Sites and Their Uses

The Lovell Meeting House was built between 1796 and 1798 as a venue for religious and secular gatherings. Its historic uses also included entertainment and recreational activities, and it had a stage. The meeting house therefore represents more than religious gatherings: secular meetings and recreation also shaped its history.

The Lovell Historical Society is housed in the historic Kimball-Stanford House, built in 1839. It collects and preserves historical and genealogical records, real estate holdings, and artifacts. Lovell thus offers two distinct aspects of cultural heritage: an early meeting house with a variety of historic uses, and an institution focused on preserving records and objects.

Hiking and Wildlife Watching

The Greater Lovell Land Trust maintains public trail networks in Lovell with varying lengths, difficulty levels, and landscapes. The range extends from lake shores to mountain summits. When choosing a trail, you can therefore consider its length and difficulty as well as the landscape; the options include a variety of trail profiles.

The Chip Stockford Reserve offers public access for hiking. At the John A. Segur Wildlife Refuge, the trail network is 1.5 miles long. It runs from a parking area on Farrington Pond Road to two wildlife viewing areas on the banks of Sucker Brook. This gives you both the length of the trail network and specific destinations for wildlife watching.

Canoeing or Kayaking at Kezar River Reserve

Kezar River Reserve offers a hand-carry canoe and kayak launch; a canoe is also available for public use there. The reserve can be reached via Route 5, north of Lovell Village. This specific water-based option complements the hiking and wildlife-watching opportunities in Lovell. When planning an activity, you can choose between trails on foot and access to the water.

Lovell Historical Society Opening Hours

The Lovell Historical Society is open Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Visits are also available by appointment. Check the opening hours before you travel if you are planning a visit.

Explore more destinations: Newry, Rumford.

Return to the main travel overview: Oxford.