6 Most Scenic Drives In Maine
From mountains to seas, forests to fields, lakes to ponds, and inland wilderness to island oases, Maine is overflowing with spectacular sights. There are so many, in fact, that they can overwhelm a would-be adventurer. Luckily, you can let one of Maine's beautiful byways choose the most scenic sights for you. "Most scenic" is hard to quantify, but the following routes run the gamut of grand, gorgeous scenery peppered with cultural and historic haunts. Pine for these six scenic drives in the Pine Tree State.
Katahdin Woods And Waters National Scenic Byway
"Katahdin" means "greatest mountain" in Penobscot. The Katahdin Woods and Waters National Scenic Byway is the greatest route in Maine. Both are roughly translated but are certainly not rough on the eyes. The 89-mile byway begins at the southern entrance of Baxter State Park, passes 5,267-foot Mount Katahdin (Maine's highest point), and finishes at the park's northern entrance at Grand Lake Matagamon. Motorists can thus ditch their cars and go hiking, biking, camping, mountain climbing, snowmobiling, canoeing, rafting, fishing, and sightseeing in various other ways. Although it sounds like a purely natural paradise, the byway also passes through seven communities with manmade wonders. The best of those is Patten with its Patten Lumbermen's Museum, which chronicles the region's logging history. Artifacts ranging from bear skin coats to a Lombard Steam Log Hauler are awaiting your arrival.
Old Canada Road National Scenic Byway
The second of five national byways on this list, the Old Canada Road National Scenic Byway runs from the Madison/Solon town line to the Maine/Canada border line. As a vantage point of the Kennebec and Dead Rivers, it not only follows old Abenaki trading routes but Revolutionary War paths, especially those taken by Benedict Arnold's army to attempt a siege of Quebec City. Historic sites are, therefore, abundant. Motorists can drive where warriors bartered and soldiers marched, plus stop at 19th-century haunts like the South Solon Meeting House and Bingham Free Meetinghouse. The byway is not just for natural and historic sightseeing, though. Being a 78-mile section of U.S. Route 201, it is a modern road with many modern amenities. Let the Solon Hotel in Solon, the Inn By the River in West Forks, and Smokin' Barrels in Jackman refuel your body and refresh your mind. If properly nourished, you can extend your drive in Canada at the Sandy Bay Township crossing. Just don't forget your passport.
Acadia All-American Road
Contrasting the Old Canada Road is the Acadia All-American Road, which winds along the southern coast rather than the northern woods. It begins in Trenton on the mainland, jumps to Thompson Island and then to Mount Desert Island, on which it penetrates Bar Harbor and loops Acadia National Park. Diverse sights dazzle drivers for 40 miles. The Trenton Grange can send you off with an array of events from concerts to markets to comedy shows; Thompson Island's picnic area and information center can provide a relaxing reprieve; Bar Harbor's seafood, served at joints like Stewman's Lobster Pound and the Thirsty Whale Tavern, can sate the stubbornest stomachs; and Acadia National Park's dozens of lakes and mountains can stretch the laziest eyes. In addition to such attractions, the Acadia All-American Road distinguishes itself by being a rarer All-American Road rather than a comparatively common National Scenic Byway.
Rangeley Lakes National Scenic Byway
If you thought the other drives were rustic, wait till you ride the Rangeley Lakes National Scenic Byway. This 52-mile route cuts through more than 200,000 acres of conserved public access land, comprising dense forests, sweeping fields, majestic mountains, and ravishing waterways. Top sights (literally) are Saddleback Mountain (~4,100 feet), Rangeley Lake (~1,500 feet) and a high-elevation segment of the Appalachian Trail. The byway does pass through several settlements, including Byron at its starting line and Madrid at its finish line. Its hub is Rangeley, a town of roughly 1,200 people and one of the most unique museums in America. Tour the Wilhelm Reich Museum to learn about a "mad" scientist who once ruled Rangeley. His former grounds are a walkable wonderland.
St. John Valley/Fish River National Scenic Byway
A newer addition to the National Scenic Byway program, the St. John Valley/Fish River National Scenic Byway "combines the State’s first scenic byway (Fish River) and first cultural byway (St. John Valley)." The Fish River section runs from Portage Lake to Fort Kent and is perpendicular to the St. John Valley section, which runs from Dickey to Hamlin along Maine's northern border. Lining those combined 134 miles of roads are scenic sites like Eagle Lake, Pennington Mountain, and Fish River Falls, and cultural sites like the Musée Culturel du Mont-Carmel, Allagash Historical Society Museum, and Acadian Village, the last of which deserves special mention for being a living museum of Acadian settlement. The St. John Valley/Fish River National Scenic Byway is arguably the longest and liveliest of Maine's scenic byways. The only challenger is next on this list.
Bold Coast National Scenic Byway
Alternately measured at 125 and 147 miles, the Bold Coast National Scenic Byway covers a huge swath of coastal Maine. It starts in the area of Milbridge, goes through Cherryfield, Harrington, Columbia Falls, Jonesport, Machias, Cutler, Lubec, Whiting, and Pembroke, and ends in Eastport. Among the splendid attractions are Wild Blueberry Land in Columbia Falls; Tides Institute & Museum of Art in Eastport; and the West Quoddy Head Lighthouse, which stands in Lubec at the easternmost point of the continental United States. Filling the gaps between settlements are nature preserves like Cobscook Bay State Park and the Moosehorn National Wildlife Refuge. Is it any wonder why the Bold Coast National Scenic Byway is so bold?
Whether you wish to see northern forests, midland mountains, or coastal islands, Maine's scenic byways have you covered. The Katahdin Woods and Waters National Scenic Byway showcases Maine's highest point; the Old Canada Road National Scenic Byway harbors historic marching grounds; the Acadia All-American Road hops not one but two islands; the Rangeley Lakes National Scenic Byway overflows with waterways; the St. John Valley/Fish River National Scenic Byway mixes Acadian with aquatic attractions; and the Bold Coast National Scenic Byway clings to the easternmost edge of continental America. Which will you drive first during a scenic tour of Maine?
