Fayette mixes rural living and recreation in the Winthrop Lakes Region
Echo Lake, Lovejoy Pond and Parker Pond line the eastern edge of Fayette, a small town in central Maine’s Winthrop Lakes Region. Known for swimming, fishing and boating, the area draws seasonal and full-time residents looking for a rural setting. “There’s an incredible mix of easy access to outdoor recreation, whether it's rivers and lakes or trail systems for hiking and things like that, but it’s also not that far from a lot of population areas where you can head into town and access all your amenities,” says Nick Isgro, a Realtor with eXp Realty who specializes in central Maine. Fayette is roughly 20 miles from the state capital of Augusta, and its overall CAP Index Crime Score is 1 out of 10, well below the national average of 4.
Locals can explore lakes, conservation areas and snowmobiling trails
Water-based recreation is a big attraction. The state maintains public boat launches at popular spots like Echo Lake and Taylor Pond, which attract kayakers, canoers and fishermen. Echo Lake is especially active from June through August, when hundreds of kids spend their summers at Camp Winnebago and Camp Vega. For a quieter experience, Tilton and Basin Ponds offer carry-in boat launches in the town’s northeastern corner.
Conservation areas surround Fayette’s lakes and ponds, including the 330-acre Surry Hill Community Forest, where residents can explore forests and wetlands and snack on wild blueberries. Nature trails attract hikers and mountain bikers in warmer months and cross-country skiers and snowshoers in winter; the area sees nearly five feet of snow annually. Snowmobilers enjoy about 24 miles of trails maintained by the Fayette Ridge Riders Snowmobile Association.
Housing mix allows residents to enjoy rural or lakefront lifestyles
Most homes in Fayette sit along winding country roads off Maine State Route 17. The housing stock includes farmhouses, Cape Cods and ranch-style homes, with some log cabin-inspired and custom-designed properties throughout town. Tree-lined lots offer privacy in a rural setting, with a median size of just over three-quarters of an acre. Many rely on well water and septic systems. Prices typically range from $180,000 to $300,000, though lakefront homes often sell for more. “There are some seasonal cottages around the lakes,” says John Blouin, a Realtor with LAER Realty Partners with more than a decade of experience in the industry. These waterfront homes can fetch upwards of $400,000 and often include private docks and boathouses. Some are in subdivisions with HOA fees that cover access to resident-only beaches, and homes in Fayette sell after an average of about two weeks on the market.
Friends of Starling Hall bring new life to a historic community center
Founded in 1875 by a small group of residents, the Starling Grange was once the heart of community life in Fayette. Although its activities paused in the 1990s, the Friends of Starling Hall (FOSH) are now working to revive the historic building as a vibrant town hub. Nearly $300,000 has already gone toward renovations, which remain ongoing as of mid-2025. FOSH has begun hosting a variety of events at the hall, from monthly game nights and seasonal potlucks to an annual trunk-or-treat around Halloween.
Local gathering spots, with most shopping and dining outside of town
The Fayette General Store is the town’s one-stop shop for gas, essentials and quick bites. Fayette Baptist Church hosts monthly potlucks and seasonal events, while Underwood Memorial Library offers recreational and educational programs for all ages. Residents generally do most of their shopping and dining outside of Fayette. Pasture Lane Farm Market sells fresh produce less than 10 miles from town, and there are a handful of small businesses in Readfield, about an 8-mile drive away. Readfield Family Market has household staples, while Weathervane Restaurant & Lounge serves American classics on the shores of Maranacook Lake. For larger retailers like Hannaford, Target and Lowe’s, Augusta is roughly 20 miles away.
The Fayette School Department offers school choice for older students
Fayette Central School serves prekindergarten through fifth grade, with fewer than 100 students and a C-plus from Niche. For students in sixth through 12th grade, the Fayette School Department follows a school choice policy that allows families to select schools from surrounding districts for their child to attend. The school department covers the cost of tuition, and selected schools admit students based on capacity. Nearby options include the B-rated Maranacook Community Middle School and B-minus-rated Maranacook Community High School, both part of Regional School Unit 38 and less than 10 miles away in Readfield. At Maranacook Community High School, students can take career preparation courses in fields such as accounting, web design and computer applications. Another option is Kents Hill School, a college-prep boarding and day school about 6 miles from Fayette.
Residents rely on cars to reach the rest of Kennebec County and beyond
State Route 17 connects this car-dependent town to nearby highways and cities. U.S. Route 202 and Interstate 95 are about a 15-mile drive away. These two major thoroughfares intersect just outside Augusta, where residents can catch flights at Augusta State Airport and receive medical care at the Alfond Center for Health. Portland is roughly 75 miles south, and Portland International Airport is Maine’s biggest and busiest airport.
Written By
Sally Stimpson
