The Biggest, Oldest, and Weirdest Natural Wonders Hiding in Maine
Would you like to save this full guide?
We'll email this article to you, so you can come back to it later!
In a state known for postcard views, it’s hard to pick the most scenic spots to explore. That’s where we can help after scouring Maine for the highest, oldest, and most unique natural attractions.
Whether you’re looking for the most dynamic cliffs facing a raging ocean or want to bag a peak or two, Maine’s scenic adventures take you away from the tourist hot spots to places immersed in nature.
Sargent Lake | Maine’s Oldest Lake
Acadia National Park is home to many famous freshwater spots, like Jordan Pond and Echo Lake. However, there’s one lake on Mount Desert Island that pre-dates all of them. Sargent Mountain Pond is Maine’s oldest lake and sits about 1,200 feet above sea level, between Penobscot and Sargent Mountain peaks.
Once known as the Lake of the Clouds, legend said the lake was a bottomless natural wonder and occupied by an elusive serpent. Studies over the centuries show that Sargent Lake formed at least a century before any other Maine lake.
Pretty much any trail from Somes Sound and Jordan Pond can get you to Sargent Lake, making it a great hike for those who want a challenge and variety.
Mt. Katahdin | Maine’s Highest Peak
Peak baggers should set their sights on Mount Katahdin, the highest in the state, looming 5,267 feet above sea level. The mountain also marks the northern terminus of the Appalachian Trail in Maine’s Highlands.
Access to Mt. Katahdin is limited in Baxter State Park, a place designated as “Forever Wild,” and the trek to get there lives up to that sentiment. Summiting Katahdin requires 8-12 brutal hours of hiking, depending on which route you take.
Those setting their sights on Katahdin should consider reading the story about Donn Fendler, who was famously “Lost on a Mountain in Maine.”
Moxie Falls | Maine’s Tallest Waterfall
If the hike to summit Mt. Katahdin proves intimidating, then you might love the rather easy hike to Maine’s tallest waterfall. Just a mile off Lake Moxie Road in The Forks, you can get there and back within an hour. However, plan time to linger for a while and watch the 90-foot drop.
On the mile hike to get there, you’ll go through a bog before the final push to the viewing platform. However, you’ll hear the falls long before you see them. This is a four-season destination, but most rambunctious during spring runoff.
Gulf Hagas | Maine’s Deepest Gorge
Known as the Grand Canyon of Maine, this adventure in Maine’s Highlands is worth the effort if you’re up for it. Along the 8-10 mile hike, you’ll pass no less than four waterfalls, see a deep cut, narrow gorge section known as The Jaws, and get to overlap with the Appalachian Trail.
This hike requires planning and physical ability to handle a strenuous trail. You’ll enter through logging roads at Katahdin Iron Works before crossing a river and tackling the up and down elevation changes that will press your calves to their limits.
Kittery | Oldest Town in Maine
While Kittery sits right at the New Hampshire border, it’s mostly known for its epic outlet mall along the way to more tourism-focused cities on the Maine coast. However, with an incorporation date of 1647, it’s known as the oldest incorporated town in Maine.
History buffs can also scout out some great spots that tell the story of Kittery’s bygone eras.
- Fort Foster
- Fort McClary
- William Pepperrell House/Lady Pepperrell House
- First Congressional Church of Kittery
- Old Burying Yard
Offshore, the Isles of Shoals and Appledore Island, home to poet/writer Celia Thaxter, are also part of Kittery.
Height of Land | Scenic Spot Near Rangeley
In the Rangeley Region, the conservationists went to great lengths to protect this great view over the lakes and White Mountains. The view from Height of Land is about 2,230 feet above sea level and is easily accessed on the Rangeley Lakes Scenic Byway off Route 17 in Roxbury.
The view is best enjoyed during clear skies, with a particularly jaw-dropped view during the peak of fall foliage. Hikers should know that the Appalachian Trail crosses nearby, with routes to Long Pond and Beamis Mountain.
Five Islands | “Prettiest Harbor in Maine”
While we can’t pick a favorite harbor in Maine, Five Islands has been called the Prettiest Harbor in Maine for more than a century. The working waterfront isn’t as elaborate as one might expect, but it does give you that payoff view as you approach from 5 Islands Road in Georgetown.
The relatively untouched (by Maine harbor standards) landscape is given some depth of view by the five islands that sit just off the coast. The views provide a look at the Sheepscot River working its way to the Gulf of Maine and Southport Island in the distance.
Cadillac Mountain | First to See the Sunrise
The highest point in Acadia National Park is also the first place in the United States to see the sunrise between early October and early March. Cadillac Mountain’s 1,530-foot view provides 360° sights atop a granite overlook.
You can choose from hiking trails, from four to seven miles in length, all open seasonally as weather allows. The summit road is the easiest way to get there by car, but not the easiest to score a reservation when they are required between late May and late October.
It’s worth it to get the sunrise reservations, but the views on a clear day or even at sunset are still breathtaking.
Cutler Coast | Boldest of the Bold Coast
The deep Downeast region of Maine is known as the Bold Coast, and perhaps no other coastal property shows it off as much as the Cutler Coast.
Cutler Coast Public Land feels like a national or state park, but much more wild and rugged. The 12,000+ acres include 4.5 miles of headlands and 10 miles of trails. The paths lead through wild blueberry barrens, through the forests, to the top of cliffs, and down to pocket beaches on a rocky shore.
With five remote campsites, this is a place to savor the views night and day. Plus, you’ll have the potential to see more than 200 species of birds and endless marine life off the coast.
Katahdin Woods & Waters | Dark Sky Country
Heading back up to the highlands, those interested in astrotourism should explore the Dark Sky Park status of Katahdin Woods and Waters. This National Park Service property was the first in New England to get a Dark Sky designation.
The ideal time to visit is during the new moon, when the stars don’t have to compete with the brightness of the moon.
It’s also worth noting that the AMC Maine Woods is also an International Dark Sky Park.
Tidal Falls Preserve | Where the Water Runs Backward
Just before you cross the Silent Bridge on the Schoodic National Scenic Byway, a short detour takes you to Tidal Falls Preserve in Hancock. The best time to visit is two hours before or after low tide.
The falls, also called Sullivan Falls, exist because of a shallow bedrock ledge hiding just below the surface. When the tide rushes in from the ocean, it overpowers the river and forces the water upstream. As the tide drops, the river takes back control, and the flow flips again. Same channel, opposite direction, twice a day.
At low tide, the starfish sightings are worth tidepooling.
Million Dollar View | Views Into Canada
If you make it to Aroostook County, don’t miss the Million Dollar View Scenic Byway, and you can compare it to the view from the Height of Land. While this byway runs just eight miles, the payoff is the — you guessed it — Million Dollar View.
The roadside stop showcases the mountains all the way to Mount Katahdin and into New Brunswick, Canada, with glacial lakes dotting the landscape.
Lily Bay State Park | *Best Place to See a Moose
While there are many locations in Maine to see a moose, the road to Lily Bay State Park from Greenville is one of the most abundant in moose sightings. Plus, the park borders Moosehead Lake with views of Sugar Island.
The best time to see a moose is at dawn and dusk.
*Looking for other options to see a moose in Maine? We’ve got you covered!
Matinicus Island | Most Remote Inhabited Island in Maine
When you really want to get away from the tourist crowds, don’t mind a long boat ride, and aren’t picky about amenities, Matinicus Island is the place to go.
Sitting more than 20 miles off the coastline, Matinicus is a haven for adventure seekers who also want solitude. The ferry leaves from Rockland and takes almost two hours to get there. If you prefer, book a flight to Matinicus through Penobscot Island Air.
Matinicus is two miles long and one mile wide, making it easy to hike to one of the rocky shorelines or South Sandy Beach.
Which of Maine’s Scenic Adventures Is Calling You?
It’s hard to whittle down the scenic adventures of Maine into one list. We didn’t even get to touch on the epic rafting of the Allagash Wilderness Waterway or one of the 65 lighthouses sprinkled on the coastline and islands. However, we tried to find places that aren’t crowded with tourists but can still give you that feeling of experiencing a side of Maine not everyone gets to see.