Where To See Fall Foliage In Maine

Maine is one of the go-to destinations in the USA for seeing the leaf colors turn in the fall. The peak time for beautiful fall foliage is in the first two weeks of October, when New England’s largest state pulls visitors from big cities such as New York and Boston to witness the dramatic colors on display. There is no shortage of places to see the elms, birch and great oaks change color, but we’ve rounded up the very best.

1. Acadia National Park

Park

Acadia National Park sits on the east coast of the USA, opposite Nova Scotia, and has incredible views in every direction. Sitting on the Atlantic and home to thousands of red spruce, fir, hemlock and pine trees, the colors of fall clash with the sea and against the lakes and peaks. Acadia National Park is a soothing place to visit, and by mid-October the colors are peaking and hard to beat. Wrap up warm.

2. Baxter State Park

Park

In northern Maine, close to the town of Millinocket, Baxter State Park is overwhelmingly vibrant at peak fall foliage time, as its forest and mountains become extremely bold and dense. There are many hiking trails, and many visitors like to pitch up and camp before the temperatures get too low. In early October you can appreciate nature’s palette of colors: the red and white pine forest and the spruces and hardwoods turning yellow, orange and red.

3. Moosehead Lake

Natural Feature

Just four hours north of Baxter State Park sits Moosehead Lake, the largest mountain lake in the whole of the USA. Many take the Pinnacle Pursuit hike to get the best views of the forest turning red and yellow under the low clouds; on the right fall day, the transition between the seasons is hard to beat. The colors are brilliant, and with so many roads through the area, you don’t even have to leave your car to appreciate the glory of the pines.

5. Ogunquit

Natural Feature

Ogunquit in southern Maine ticks a lot of boxes as a fall destination. Sitting prettily on the Atlantic, there are many fantastic accommodation options, and it also has a great annual fall festival to celebrate this golden season. Mount Agamenticus has perfect trails to follow, either by foot or on a bike, and the hemlocks, black gums, maples and oaks are stunning standouts in a spectacular forest coastline.

6. Mount Kineo

Natural Feature

Mount Kineo sits next to Moosehead Lake and after a precarious hike to the top it reveals its death-defying views of an old fire tower that has been converted into a viewing platform. The boat across from Moosehead Lake makes this a slightly different trip from the others, and after passing a golf club, you can get on the trail to the peak. Your effort on this trickier hike will be rewarded, as it leads to what is certainly a view to remember.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.