Fall Foliage Destinations
With 57 varieties of broadleaved trees, Maine offers more than enough opportunities for fall leaf peeping, one of the season’s most popular activities. In the northern counties, leaves begin to hit peak color in late September, followed by central and western Maine. The southern portion of the state experiences the most vivid colors in mid-to-late October.
Acadia National Park | Mount Desert Island Drive along Park Loop
Road for vibrant views from the car window, or climb up Cadillac Mountain, where the shrubs burn red at the summit—an effect heightened by the crimson leaves of the wild blueberry plants.
Sugarloaf Mountain Resort | Carrabassett Valley
Known for its skiing in the winter, Sugarloaf is also a must-see stop for seasoned leafers. On Saturdays and Sundays, ride the SuperQuad up the mountain for bright, scenic vistas from the comfort of a chairlift.
Bradbury Mountain State Park | Pownal
After an easy hike to Bradbury Mountain’s peak, park visitors can experience foliage bordered by both Casco Bay and the Portland skyline.
Hike the gentle Bridle Trail or skim the cliffs of Indian Head Trail on Mount Kineo for a panorama of the
lake and its surrounding trees. Through Columbus Day weekend, Katahdin Cruises runs boat excursions out to colorful destinations including Sugar Island and Mount Kineo on a restored steamship.
Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument
Recently designated as a national monument, Katahdin Woods and Waters offers 87,500 acres of exploration for autumn enthusiasts. Lucas St. Clair, whose family foundation donated the land for the monument, recommends a four-mile Columbus Day hike up Barnard Mountain, from which visitors can glimpse Mount Katahdin’s blazing colors.
Camden Hills State Park | Camden
From the top of Mount Battie in Camden Hills State Park, leafers can observe a tide of colors unfolding toward Penobscot Bay and, on a clear day, the burnt hues of Monhegan Island in the distance.