Fall in Love with Maine & These Gorgeous Leaf-Peeping Spots
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Maine has been a beloved summer escape for centuries, with cool breezes, rocky shores, and postcard-worthy scenery. But if you’ve only experienced it in the warmer months, you’re missing out on something truly special.
Fall in Maine is pure magic.
As the air turns crisp and the crowds thin out, the landscape bursts into fiery shades of red, orange, and gold. Moose wander through misty forests, apple orchards brim with ripe fruit, and the scent of woodsmoke drifts through charming small towns.
Whether you love scenic drives, cozy coastal strolls, or getting lost in the mountains, autumn is the perfect time to explore it all. Here are some of the best leaf-peeping places to soak in Maine’s fall beauty.
Boothbay Harbor | Coastal Charm With a Splash of Color
Boothbay Harbor is located on the central coast , about a one-hour drive north of Portland. This lovely small Maine town is a popular spot for summer tourism, weddings, swimming, and boating. But, when autumn arrives and the temperatures drop, the fun continues.
Boothbay Harbor remains a top spot for ocean cruises, hiking, festivals, and much more throughout the fall. The town is the site of the annual Fall Foliage Festival, where you can shop for handmade crafts, specialty items, and locally-made food and beverages.
Related: Ultimate Guide to Boothbay Harbor’s Hotels, Inns, Motels, Resorts, & Lodging
Acadia National Park | Where Fiery Foliage Meets Rugged Coastline
Acadia National Park is undoubtedly one of Maine’s most famous tourist destinations. This stunning park on Mt. Desert Island includes part of the Schoodic Peninsula and 18 islands off the coast. One of the best times of year to visit is in the autumn when the Maine fall colors are at their most brilliant.
There are many popular fall activities throughout the park, which covers an astounding 49,075 square acres. These include hiking, rock climbing, kayaking, and fishing on the lakes, as well as taking tours off the coast. Visitors also flock to the park to enjoy horseback riding on the trails and fall foliage tours.
Related: Guide to The Best Hotels, Inns, and Lodging on Mount Desert Island Maine
Featured Fall Destinations
Pleasant Mountain | Sweeping Views and Stunning Foliage
Pleasant Mountain is a popular hiking spot in Bridgton, Maine. Throughout the year, you’ll see tourists and locals alike heading there to enjoy breathtaking scenery from the highest peak in Southern Maine at 2,006 ft.
The mountains include 10 miles of hiking trails, with a wide variety of options for easy, moderate, and difficult hiking.
From the peaks, you can enjoy beautiful views of the Saco Valley, the White Mountains, and even Mount Washington. This is a particularly pleasant hike in the autumn when temperatures are cool and the foliage is at its most brilliant.
Related: Guide to The Best Hotels, Inns, & Lodging in Bridgton Maine
Mount Battie | Crisp Air, Colorful Canopies, and Coastal Beauty
Mount Battie is one of the most popular hiking destinations in Camden, Maine. Located in Camden State Park, this short trail offers breathtaking views of the native pine forest, Camden Harbor, and Penobscot Bay.
It’s a popular spot in the spring when wildflowers are in bloom. But, it’s also worth a visit in the autumn. During this time, you’ll see a wide variety of unique flowers and foliage. And of course, there’s no beating that crisp New England autumn air during a hike.
Camden Hills State Park | Where Fiery Foliage Meets Ocean Views
Camden Hills State Park is one of the most popular state parks in Maine. The park, which includes nearly 6,000 acres of land, overlooks Penobscot Bay. It draws visitors all year long for hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, ATV riding, camping, and more.
Autumn is the perfect time to enjoy any of these activities, with beautiful views of the fall foliage and crisp air being ideal for hiking! The park’s Mount Battie is one of its most popular sites, but the entire park is worth exploring.
Rangeley Lakes National Scenic Byway | A Journey Through Stunning Colors
The Rangeley Lakes National Scenic Byway is one of the most picturesque destinations in Western Maine. Thanks to its wild, rural scenery, it’s a popular route for autumn road trips, offering unmatched views of New England’s forests, lakes, and mountains.
The byway passes by the 112 connected lakes, as well as historic districts, forests, mountains, rivers, and much more. There are few better places to see the full variety of Maine wilderness on display!
Old Orchard Beach | Fewer Crowds, Stunning Views
Old Orchard Beach is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Maine. Located on the state’s southern border, it’s crowded with visitors throughout the summer. But it’s also worth a visit in the fall!
During this time, most of the crowds have dispersed, which means that you’ll have the beach to yourself. It might be too cold to swim, but there are plenty of other things to do.
Boat tours are popular here, as are visits to nearby Funtown Splashtown USA. This beachside amusement park is one of the oldest and most popular in the state.
Related: Guide to the Best Old Orchard Beach Hotels, B&Bs, Campgrounds, & Vacation Rentals
Androscoggin River Trail | A Scenic Escape of Golden Leaves and Gentle Currents
Androscoggin Riverlands State Park surrounds the Androscoggin River, which flows 178 miles through the state before crossing the border to New Hampshire. It’s an extremely popular site for angling and kayaking throughout the year.
The state park includes 12 miles of the river and several hiking trails running alongside. These are popular spots for hiking, biking, horseback riding, and ATVs, especially in the autumn to view the fall foliage.
Several of the trails offer scenic outlooks of the surrounding mountains, forest, and nearby historic buildings.
Pemaquid Point Lighthouse Park | Crisp Air and Crashing Waves
Pemaquid Lighthouse, one of Maine’s many historic lighthouses, is located in Bristol, Maine. Commissioned by President John Quincy Adams and built in 1827, it now serves as a museum and a working light for the U.S. Coast Guard.
The museum and adjoining art gallery include exhibits on the history of the structure and area. But it’s also worth visiting for the breathtaking view of Muscongus Bay and Johns Bay.
During the fall, it’s the perfect spot to admire the New England fall colors!
Related: Guide to Hotels, Inns, Bed and Breakfasts, and Lodging in the Damariscotta & Bristol Maine Area
Baxter State Park | Where Foliage Meets the Wild
Baxter State Park is one of the most stunningly beautiful sites in Millinocket, Maine. This enormous wilderness area covers 200,000 acres in Central Maine, located in the North Maine Woods area.
Baxter Peak is the northern end of the famous Appalachian Trail and is one of the most popular places to explore on the property.
However, there are many attractions throughout the park, including hiking trails, waterfalls, and a variety of wildlife. Visitors may see black bears, moose, white-tailed deer, beavers, otters, red foxes, hawks, bobcats, and martens.
The fall brings brilliant colors to the park’s deciduous forests, with trees shedding their leaves fully by the end of October.
Related: Guide to The Best Hotels, Inns, and Lodging in Millinocket Maine
Acadia All-American Road | Winding Roads and Brilliant Leaves
The Acadia All-American Road is one of the most popular short road trip routes in Maine. This 40-mile road offers an unrivaled view of Maine’s natural beauty, wildlife, and other attractions. The route takes roughly three hours to complete, making it perfect for a day trip.
It follows the northeastern coast of the state, offering stunning views of the Atlantic shoreline, cold-water lakes, deciduous forests, granite mountains, and much more. This route is perfect for a fall road trip when the colors are at their brightest.
Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument | Vibrant Colors Across a Remote and Rugged Landscape
Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument is a large nature preserve in Northern Maine, encompassing more than 87,000 square acres. These include forests and mountains, as well as a small section of the East Branch Penobscot River.
This wild, rural preserve offers a quintessential experience of natural Maine, untouched by humankind. It’s a popular spot for outdoor activities, including kayaking, hiking, rock climbing, and camping.
The preserve is particularly beautiful in the fall when the forest colors turn and temperatures start to fall. Bear in mind that there’s plenty of wildlife nearby, including bobcats, moose, and lynx!
Kennebec Valley | Crisp Mornings and Colorful Landscapes
The Kennebec Valley extends through South-Central Maine. It’s a particularly fun place to visit in the autumn thanks to its high concentration of apple orchards. The valley is home to at least a dozen!
Many of the orchards offer the opportunity to pick your own apples and have annual family-friendly fall events. You can find fun attractions of all kinds at these apple orchards. Apple season in Maine starts in August and goes until October, so take advantage of the fun while you can!
Moosehead Lake | Crisp Air and Autumn Reflections
Moosehead Lake is one of Maine’s northernmost attractions. Located in the rural Longfellow Mountains, this freshwater lake feeds the Kennebec River and is one of the largest in New England.
This peaceful lake is ringed by stunning cliffs. Thanks to its natural beauty and remote quiet, this is a perfect spot for outdoor adventurers in the autumn.
The lake contains many islands, and there’s no better place for kayaking and admiring the Maine wilderness in the fall. Just bear in mind that the lake gets its name from the large local moose population, so practice safety.
Related: Guide to The Best Cabins, Inns, and Lodging in Greenville and Rockwood Maine on Moosehead Lake
Casco Bay | Island Hopping and Leaf Peeping
Casco Bay is an inlet beside the city of Portland, Maine. It’s a popular spot for summer tourism since it’s easy to access from Maine’s southern border and provides many fun recreational opportunities.
But it’s also a great travel destination in the fall! When temperatures cool, you’ll see tourists visiting to enjoy cruises around the bay within sight of the abundant fall foliage.
Related: Guide to The Best Hotels, Inns, and Lodging in the Greater Portland and Casco Bay Region
Your Maine Autumn Adventure Doesn’t End Here
No matter where you explore in Maine – the rugged north or scenic coast – fall brings a whole new kind of magic. The air turns crisp, the crowds thin, and the landscape bursts with color.
From scenic drives and cozy coastal walks to apple-picking and fresh seafood, there’s no shortage of ways to soak it all in. As the season unfolds, new discoveries await – a hidden cove, a breathtaking overlook, or a charming fall festival.
So grab your flannel, breathe in the autumn air, and set out on your next Maine adventure. You never know what surprises are waiting just around the bend!