9 Top Places To Visit In Maine This Fall
The fall season in Maine inspires extraordinary natural beauty across its vast landscape of mountains, forests, rivers, coasts, lakes, and even hinterlands. This natural beauty becomes more prominent from late September to mid-October, when foliage bloom peaks. It starts from Northern Maine and spreads to Southern Maine along the coast from mid to late October. As New England’s largest state with a low population density, tourists will have abundant landscapes of scarlet, orange, green, and pink foliage to explore undisturbed. From Acadia National Park to the scenic byways that crisscross the state, here are the top nine places to visit in the Pine Tree State this fall.
Baxter State Park
Baxter State Park lies in the North Maine Woods area and preserves over 200,000 acres of wilderness. The massive wilderness area comprises waterfalls, streams, lakes, rivers, mountains, and a deciduous forest that blooms with enchanting colors in fall. A perfect way to enjoy the season’s scenery here is to hike the 3.4-mile Katahdin Abol Trail to Katahdin’s Baxter Peak. At 5,267 feet, this peak is the highest mountain in Maine, and the views are breathtaking. The park also has many picnic shelters where visitors can snack and enjoy the views when not hiking, with Abol Pond, Dwelley Pond, and Katahdin Lake Shelters as top options.
Kennebec Valley
The Kennebec Valley region of Maine is a four-season destination, presenting tons of recreational activities for tourists, especially on its highlight, the Kennebec River. In autumn, the area turns into a fun destination where people come to pick apples and enjoy picnics. Notably, the valley is renowned for its high concentration of apple orchards, offering picturesque scenery and a laid-back atmosphere for relaxing activities with families.
The orchards allow guests to pick their apples and also come along with lunch boxes for picnics. There are also onsite farm stores where you can purchase snacks. Visit this valley region in the fall and head to some of the top orchards in the area, such as North Star Orchards in Madison, Outland Farm in Pittsfield, and Cayford Orchards in Skowhegan.
Moosehead Lake
Moosehead Lake in Piscataquis County is the largest in Maine and the largest mountain lake in the Eastern United States. This coldwater lake (which is the source of the Kennebec River) is a beauty to behold, especially in October, as it is fenced by towering cliffs and montane vegetation that transforms dramatically. Kayaking, canoeing, and boating on the lake are exciting activities to bask in the views of the red, orange, yellow, and purple colors of foliage adorning the mountains. Meanwhile, adventurers can hike the many trails surrounding the lake for better views, like the 1-mile Moxie Falls trail leading to a 90-foot-tall waterfall surrounded by spellbinding foliage.
Acadia All-American Road
The Acadia All-American Road is a charming route for road trip fans, as fall foliage views are truly magical on this route. Thankfully, the scenic route is just 40 miles and perfect for day trips as it takes approximately three hours to complete. Starting from Trenton town, The road goes through Acadia National Park and Mount Desert Island, presenting a cocktail of natural attractions as visual treats. From deciduous forests, the Atlantic Ocean, and beautiful lakes to granite mountains, ponds, islands, and beaches, it's always a splendid ride with lovely natural views.
While the views are always gorgeous across all seasons, the colors of foliage in mid-October make this route one of the most captivating destinations in New England. There are also numerous stopovers and side trips, like Cadillac Mountain and Jordan Pond House, for more viewing pleasure.
Androscoggin Greenway, Androscoggin River Trail
One unique way to witness the beauty of fall is by floating on water, and the Androscoggin Greenway offers just that. Stretching for 65 miles, this southernmost section of the Androscoggin River Trail is home to a 2,675-acre state park featuring 12 miles of river access. Visit this park in October to paddle on the gentle water through the overwhelming autumn scenery. The park also has more than 10 miles of hiking and biking trails for more thrills and incredible opportunities for pike fishing.
Rangeley Lakes National Scenic Byway
Rangeley Lakes National Scenic Byway is one of the best places to enjoy natural views in Maine. Stretching 52 miles, this byway runs through several interlinked ponds and lakes, including rivers, forests, waterfalls, and mountains, making it a visually rewarding experience, especially at peak foliage around mid-October. The ride starts from State Route 4, outside the town of Rangeley, and presents many iconic overlooks like The Quill Hill, Shelton Noyes, and Whip Willow Farm, all offering mesmerizing views of mountains and valleys carpeted in fiery colors. For hikers, the Appalachian Trail intersects the byway at routes 4 & 17, inviting adventurers to more thrills. Meanwhile, visitors on the road in early October can stop at Rangeley Village to partake in its exciting Apple Festival.
The Forks
The Forks is the intersection of two lively and charming rivers in Maine, Kennebec and Dead Rivers. As a result, it has become one of the top destinations in the state for white water rafting and other water sports. Adventurers are invited to paddle, float, and raft on the charming waters, flanked by an army of proud vegetation with vibrant colors. Laid-back tourists can also have picnics on the banks while enjoying the enchanting views. Meanwhile, hikers can check out the nearby Moxie Falls, one of the tallest in the state, to admire the mesmerizing display around it.
Camden Hills State Park
Camden Hills State Park is the principal tourist draw to the town of Camden, a scenic coastal town down the coast from Acadia National Park. Hence, people naturally flock to the state park for enthralling hikes and picturesque sights. At the peak of the fall season, the park transforms into a mini paradise of astonishing colors, and visitors can hit the 0.5-mile Mount Battie Trail for the best views. This trail leads to the summit of its namesake mountains and offers dazzling views of changing leaves, Camden Harbor, and the beautiful Penobscot Bay.
Other trails worth hiking for the views in the park include Maiden Cliff (1 mile), Megunticook (1.8 miles), and Bald Rock (1.3 miles). In addition to hiking, Camden Hills State Park also presents opportunities for camping, wildlife watching, and picnicking.
Acadia National Park
Acadia National Park is the most popular tourist attraction in Maine and one of the best in the US, receiving millions of visitors yearly. In the fall, it becomes a hot spot for leaf peeping across its 49,000 acres of forests, islands, mountains, and coasts. Thankfully, fall is considered an off-season in Maine, so the park is usually less crowded, making it even more appealing to visit. With an overwhelming landscape to explore, it can be confusing knowing where to start or end. However, the views of the foliage from the Cadillac Mountain Summit are priceless, and visitors can get there by driving.
Another option, which might be enough to call it a day for the views, is driving along the 27-mile Park Loop Road. This road slices through forests of dazzling foliage and along the edges of coasts and lakes. Most importantly, it leads to Cadillac Mountain, making it the best alternative to enjoy more scenery in one drive. For hikers, Beehive Loop Trail (1.4 miles), Jordan Pond Loop (3.3 miles), and Bubbles Loop (1.8 miles) are great choices to explore.
Maine is an incredible destination in New England where you can experience the magic of falling across its sprawling landscape. While Acadia National Park stands out as one of the top spots for leaf peeping, the state has an endless list of other amazing destinations with similar and even more magical views. Come prepared for the views from late September and be dazzled by the charms of nature around these destinations, which range from lakes to waterfalls, scenic byways, and apple orchards.
