Find the Best Fall Foliage in Maine
Shhh! Don’t tell too many people, but Maine gets fewer leaf peepers than other New England states, so roads are less congested and lodging and dining reservations are easier to score. But do plan in advance. For help in planning, consult www.mainefoliage.com.
Leaf Peeping in Moosehead and the Kennebec River
Leaf peepers who make it as far north as Greenville are amply rewarded. Plan a minimum of two nights, ideally three or more, and spend one full day driving one of the state’s most spectacular foliage routes.
The Route: Loop from Greenville over to the Kennebec River and back on Routes 5 to Jackman, 201 south to Bingham, and 16 east to Abbott, and then Route 5 north to return to Greenville. You’ll parallel the shorelines of Moosehead Lake and the Moose River on the Moosehead Lake Scenic Byway before arriving in Rockwood. As you head south, the views along the Old Canada Road Scenic Byway are spectacular. Dip into the Attean View rest area for vistas extending toward Canada. Need to stretch your legs? Consider the relatively easy hike to Moxie Falls. From here to Bingham, Route 201 can be truly spectacular as it snakes along the Kennebec River.
Diversions: Cruise Moosehead Lake aboard the Kate, take a flightseeing tour or a moose safari, or drive to a remote sporting camp for lunch.
Leaf Peeping in Bethel and Rangeley
Combine New England’s trees with lakes and mountains and you have the best of nature’s palette. Divide your lodging between Bethel and Rangeley.
The Route: From Bethel, take Route 26 north to Errol, New Hampshire, then Route 16 north to Rangeley. Return via Route 17 south to Route 2 west. Heading north, you’ll cut through Grafton Notch State Park on the Grafton Notch Scenic Byway; the rest of the drive is speckled with mountains, lakes, and streams. Returning south from Rangeley, the Rangeley Lakes National Scenic Byway passes over Height of Land, providing dazzling views. The entire route is through prime moose country, so keep alert.
Diversions: Hike in Grafton Notch or Rangeley, paddle the Rangeley Lakes, or pan for gold in Coos Canyon.
Leaf Peeping in Acadia and Down East
To the magic foliage mix, add the ocean and top it off with wild blueberry barrens, which turn crimson in foliage season. Book lodging in the Schoodic region.
The Route: From Hancock, mosey inland on Route 182 along the Blackwoods Scenic Byway to Cherryfield. Then head south on Route 1A to Milbridge, continuing south on Route 1. In Steuben, dip down Pigeon Hill Road to the Petit Manan section of the Maine Coastal Islands National Wildlife Refuge before continuing south on Route 1 to Route 186, which loops around the Schoodic Peninsula via the Schoodic Scenic Byway.
Diversions: Hike Black or Schoodic Mountains, detour north from Cherryfield to Deblois to see the blueberry barrens, bike the Schoodic Loop, or browse art galleries.
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