Maine: The Adventure Guide

Maine

The Adventure Guide

From family-friendly hiking to white-knuckle biking, Maine has it all. Here's where to plan your escape.

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Summer Activity layers: Hike, camp, paddle, bike, culture Entries per activity: 12 (60 total) Words per entry: 100 Winter Activity layers: Downhill ski, x-country ski, snowshoe, cabins, culture Entries per activity: 10 (40 total) Words per entry: 100

Hike

Camps + Cabins

Paddle

Bike

Culture

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TK Place

Millinocket, Difficult Katahdin, derived from the word for “main mountain” in Abenaki, is the highest mountain in Maine, and harbors one of the most spectacular ridges east of the Rockies due to its treeless summit, steep rocky cirques, and prominence over the surrounding flat terrain. The mountain is comprised of four major peaks, Baxter (5,269 ft), South (5,260 ft), Pamola (4,919 ft), and Hamlin (4,756 ft). Avoid the crowds by targeting the lowest of the bunch, Hamlin Peak. It’s across the Great Basin from the other major peaks, leaving it quieter than the rest and providing what are arguably the best vistas of the full mountain ridge, not only from the summit but also along much of the climb up the Hamlin Ridge Trail (9.2 miles round-trip).

Hamlin Peak

Franklin, Moderate This 7-mile loop trail makes a circuit along two rugged ridgelines, Black Mountain and Caribou Mountain in Downeast Maine. While they rise less than 1,000 feet, both ridges are open granite and blueberry-barrens with panoramas across to the mountains of Acadia and islands of Frenchman Bay. There are several ways to access the loop, the shortest being from Dynamite Brook Road in the north, although the most popular remains the Schoodic Beach Parking Area, which makes a great finish for the hike on a hot summer day.

Donnell Pond Caribou Loop

Newry, Difficult A great weekend backpacking trip, Speck Pond is perched 3,409 feet up on the flanks of Old Speck Mountain in Grafton Notch. The pondside campsite is a popular stop along the Appalachian Trail, so expect thru-hikers to fill the lean-to by mid-afternoon. The tough climb ascends over 2,000 feet of elevation in 3.5 miles, but the reward is worth it—mountain tarns sprinkled with big boulders like this are few and far between. A side trip—preferably with light packs after you’ve unloaded overnight gear—up to the summit of Old Speck tacks on another 2.6 miles. The firetower is the highest point in the Mahoosuc Range, with bird’s eye views of the entire region.

Speck Pond

Biddeford, Easy Located in the expansive Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge, Timber Point is situated between the Little River estuary’s salt marshes and the Atlantic Ocean. The 1.4-mile loop trail is great for families with young kids, or anyone who wants a mellow coastal hike. The route follows both shorelines and is a renowned location for watching shorebirds, seabirds, and migrating birds. When the tide is low a sandbar connects Timber Point to nearby Timber Island, which is also part of the preserve—just be certain to return before the tide comes back in if you value dry clothes!

timber point

Greenville, Moderate The rhyolite cliffs of Mount Kineo rise some 750 feet from the deep clear waters of Moosehead Lake below, and the Indian Trail that snakes up along the cliff’s edge is a remarkable climb. While technically a peninsula, connected to the eastern shore of Moosehead Lake by a narrow causeway, for all intents and purposes Mount Kineo is an island—access is achieved via a boat from Rockwood on the western shore of the lake. The Indian Trail has two options, both with great views: returning via the Bridle Trail makes a 3.5-mile loop with an easier descent, while descending the North Trail creates a longer 5.5-mile loop along the shoreline of the peninsula.

Mount Kineo

Stow, Moderate Leading to a summit crowned with unique stands of red pines and ample berry bushes, this 4-mile loop is great for families and new hikers. That’s not to say there’s no challenge. The White Cairn Trail starts easily but climbs 600 feet in just a third of a mile before leveling off near the top. Be sure to follow the trail markers to the overlook off the main trail—the short detour is worthwhile. Similarly, while returning via the Stone House Trail, be sure to take the trail to Rattlesnake Pools for an icy dip in a mountain stream.

Blueberry Mountain

Cutler, Difficult The largest swathe of protected lands on Maine’s Downeast coastline, the Cutler Coast Preserved Lands is a unique and breathtakingly beautiful collection of sheer granite headlands, wild cobble pocket beaches, highland black spruce forests, and boggy meadows so prevalent in the fog-shrouded Downeast region. With campsites along the coastline at Black Point, Long Point, and Fairy Heads, this makes a great overnight trip on the 9.5-mile loop trail, although be aware that despite the remote setting it has become a popular destination on weekends.

Bold Coast

Harpswell, Easy This short coastal hike, just a 1.9-mile loop, still traverses multiple ecosystems on Harpswell’s Sebascodegan Island, and explores the confusing web of waterways that spiderweb through Harpswell. Starting on a flat forest path paralleling a tidal salt marsh that drains out south, the trail turns east into the hardwood forest before climbing up the slopes of Long Reach Mountain (at 181 feet, it’s more of a hill). From here cliffs drop down to Long Reach, a tidal basin that completely empties out northward into mud flats at low tide.

Cliff Trail

Carrabassett Valley, Difficult While not the highest mountains in Maine, the Bigelow Range is certainly in the running for being the most dramatic. The 19-mile long, narrow and rocky ridgeline sports two 4,000-foot peaks along with four lower summits, two high alpine tarns, and one of the highest campsites in Maine—Avery Col Campsite is over 3,800 feet. While it is a herculean effort to lug camping gear up the Fire Warden’s Trail to the campsite, the ability to easily hit either summit for a sunset meal makes it well worth the effort. Continuing west along the ridgeline to descend along the Appalachian Trail makes a 12-mile loop with more beautiful ridgeline hiking, or descending the Horns Pond Trail shaves off a few tenths of a mile and descends more gradually.

Bigelow Range loop

Elliottsville Township, Moderate While Borestone Mountain, a short but remarkably prominent rocky summit in the remote 100-Mile Wilderness is spectacular, the real treat when visiting the Borestone Mountain Audubon Sanctuary is the forests—unlike the working forests of northern Maine that have been routinely cut for timber every 50 years, this stand of trees is among the oldest uncut forests in the state. The trail to the summit is just .8 mile, but fairly steep, although the sanctuary offers a further three miles of trails that are worth exploring.

Borestone

Camden, Easy-Moderate Camden Hills has something for everyone—the road up to the overlook on Mount Battie makes it accessible for those with disabilities or for young children, while the strenuous climb to Mount Megunticook is at minimum a six-mile round-trip. Regardless which route you take, the Camden Hills sit right on the edge of Penobscot Bay, which is splayed out below in a speckled canvas of slate blues and mossy greens, flecked by the white specks of lobster boats. While enjoying the view, train your eyes skyward as peregrine falcons have made a successful return to the region’s cliffs and can sometimes be seen soaring above.

Camden Hills State Park

Winter Harbor, Moderate Just across Frenchman Bay from Bar Harbor is another far less-visited corner of Acadia National Park. While sights like Sand Beach, the Beehive, and Cadillac Mountain certainly live up to their hype (and are accordingly crowded), for those who want to get off the beaten track there is a lot to love about the Schoodic Peninsula. Schoodic Head, the highest point on the peninsula, is best reached via the Anvil Trail, which climbs over and around the gnarled granite terrain that makes this region so unique. Returning via the Schoodic Head Trail and the Alder Trail creates a 2.5-mile loop back to the Schoodic Loop Road.

Schoodic Head

Hollis, Easy While the Saco’s sandy upper stretches are known for their summer party scene, those who venture further south are rewarded with wide-flowing water and deeper solitude. The 10-mile section between West Buxton and Union Falls makes a fantastic full-day paddle. You can also cut it in half by either starting or finishing at the midway point in Bar Mills. Keep your eyes peeled for bald eagles and ospreys, and consider bringing a fishing rod: The water here teems with largemouth and smallmouth bass and the occasional trout.

saco river

Rangely, Moderate Sandy beaches, boulder-strewn shorelines, and clear, cold water make Richardson Lake feel like a slice of old Maine adventure. There are 38 wilderness campsites along the lake’s 17-mile length, all of which are accessible only by water. (You can reserve sites online through the South Arm Campground.) And in addition to paddling and camping, the lake offers world-class fishing for brook trout and landlocked salmon.

Richardson Lake

The Forks, Moderate Key fact: the Kennebec Gorge hosts the most popular stretches of whitewater in Maine. Floating the whole gorge is a 12-mile endeavor that can be done in a single day. The journey begins with large, Class IV waves before mellowing out about halfway through. By the end, you’ll be cruising laidback flatwater. Bonus: Several of the outfitters that run trips out of The Forks conclude their outings with a riverfront barbecue.

Kennebec Gorge Whitewater

Stonington, Moderate-Difficult Merchants Row is a stunning maze of small islands and islets just off the Maine coast. It’s moderately protected from the harsh Atlantic and offers nearly infinite route options, making it a great choice for intermediate sea kayakers looking for their next adventure. (New ocean paddlers may want to hire a local guide, like Sea Kayak Stonington.) This area is also a living museum of the area’s quarrying history—including the old Green Island quarry, which now serves as a freshwater swimming hole.

merchants row

Portland, Easy There aren’t too many cities with spectacular sea kayaking at their doorsteps, but Portland is one of the rare few. Head to Portland Paddle, right on Portland’s East End Beach, for daily trips to the Civil War-era Fort Gorges, neighboring islands, and historic lighthouses. You’ll want to come back for more, and you should: Portland Paddle offers returning customers a custom itinerary with miles of ocean to choose from.

Portland Paddle

Allagash, Difficult The Allagash River hosts one of the longest and most remote backcountry canoe trips in the Lower 48. You can paddle the whole thing for a stunning, 98-mile adventure, but it’s just as rewarding to do a smaller section. One good option: Paddle the river from Churchill Dam to Allagash Village for a solid 62-mile stretch. Highlights include the 9-mile whitewater run of Chase Rapids, the portage around the impressive Allagash Falls, and abundant moose sightings along the river banks.

Allagash Wilderness Waterway

Whitefield, Moderate If you already have some whitewater training under your belt, there’s no better place to practice than the Sheepscot. The river is brimming with approachable Class I and Class II rapids that balance challenge with relatively low risk. River access is available either at the bridge in North Whitefield, or just below the dam, which is 5 miles from the takeout point. (If you start in North Whitefield, you’ll score 6 extra miles of paddling, but you’ll have to portage around the dam.)

Sheepscot River

Harpswell, Moderate The New Meadows River is a protected tidal estuary with incredible wildlife and dozens of small islands, channels, and inlets to explore. You’ll have plenty of launch sites to choose from, but the Sabino boat launch offers great access to the upper stretches of the river, which are more sheltered and teeming with coastal birds. For more of an Atlantic experience, Cundy’s Harbor provides great access to an old shipwreck, as well as rocks favored by harbor seals come low tide.

New Meadows River

Grand Lakes Stream, Easy-Moderate West Grand Lake was once part of a historic canoe route used by the Wabanaki People. Today, it’s still a paddler’s haven, thanks to its wild feel and stunning scenery. More than 20 riverside campsites mean the itineraries are endless: You can stage anything from a single overnight to a 20-mile, multi-day adventure. And because this is one of the quietest parts of Maine, trips here are known for their solitude—punctuated only by the haunting calls of loons.

West Grand Lake

Jackman, Moderate There are few downriver paddling trips that finish at their start point, but this 34-mile route manages to pull it off. The trick: a few straightforward portages that gain the lost elevation. Over the three-day trip, you’ll paddle the Moose River, which is mostly flatwater with two brief whitewater sections, and cross the Attean and Holeb Ponds. Keep an eye out for the river’s eponymous moose, as well as the loons, ospreys, and bald eagles that frequent the ponds.

Moose River Bow

Bangor, Moderate The site of the huge whitewater paddling race of the same name, Kenduskeag Stream is a 16.5-mile section of mixed whitewater and flatwater. It starts at the town of Kenduskeag and runs to the confluence with the Penobscot River in Bangor. While the race itself is an amazing event for paddlers of all ability levels, the stream makes for an exciting paddle in its own right. (Check flow rates before you go.)

Kenduskeag Stream

Jonesport, Difficult Sea kayaking Downeast is unlike any of the paddling in Southern or Midcoast Maine. The crossings are longer, the seas are rougher, and the tides are stronger. While these challenges make it an expert-only zone, there’s plenty of reward to be had. The wild and rocky coastline boasts stunning red cliffs, and the sharp-eyed birdwatcher can occasionally spot a rare Atlantic puffin. And when the fog blows in, the spruce-forested islands provide a cozy shelter for tents.

Great Wass Archipelago

South Portland, Easy The paved Eastern Greenway Trail winds more than 5 miles through quaint neighborhoods and city parks directly across the harbor from downtown Portland. With its eastern terminus at Bug Light Park, and the namesake lighthouse and sweeping views of Casco Bay, this trail makes for a fantastic afternoon ride under the forest canopy. Potential short detours including Foulmouthed Brewery, Taco Trio, and Red’s Dairy Freeze—the local spot for a summer soft serve.

South Portland Greenbelt Pathway

York, Moderate An isolated rocky ridge rising nearly 700 feet above the flat coastal terrain of the southern Maine coast, Mount Agamenticus is the heart of the 10,000-acre Agamenticus Conservation Region, as well as the location of 21 miles of mountain bike trails. While there are some beginner-friendly double-track trails, much of the terrain is rocky and technical—aimed at an intermediate or advanced rider. With the impressive vertical—it’s the highest coastal point between midcoast Maine and Texas—challenging climbs can be expected, but are rewarded with steep and fun descents. From the treeless summit, vistas extend as far as the White Mountains to the north, Casco Bay to the northeast, and Boston’s skyline to the south.

Mount Agamenticus Trails

Carrabassett Valley, Easy-Difficult This massive trail network of over 100 miles of single and double-track trails is composed of three parts. The Narrow Gauge Path is a crushed gravel rail trail that follows the east bank of the Carrabassett River and is beginner-friendly. Branching off into the hills from this path are the Maine Huts and Trails network, with some spectacular flow trails like the 3-mile Oak Knoll descent. Across Route 27 (you can ride the Route 27 Connector Trail) is the Sugarloaf Outdoor Center, with a further 35 miles of trails ranging from flat 1-mile loops to big singletrack climbs, as well as a shop for bike rentals and repairs.

Carrabassett Valley Trails

Kingfield, Moderate Unlike many of the more cross-country focused bike venues in Maine, the family-run Freeman Ridge revolves around gravity-oriented riding. With switchbacking uphill climb trails and downhill-only descents packed with berms, drops, and jumps, this is a park to explore with a beefy trail or enduro bike that has plenty of suspension. The lap-based format with climb and descent trails is geared to encourage progression over time, and the extremely well-maintained trails are a joy to ride.

Freeman Ridge

Greenwood, Easy-Difficult The brand new Mount Abram Bike Park brings the mountain’s family focused attitude from their ski slopes into the summer months with a beginner-friendly downhill park. With lift accessibility, flowing descents, and groomed trails, it makes the perfect weekend trip for a family of varied skill levels. While George’s Jungle and Super Chicken make great introductory runs, the difficult Yellow Jacket and Rock Bottom offer enough challenge for even a seasoned downhill enthusiast.

Mount Abram Bike Park

Millinocket, Moderate The Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument is one of the newest pieces of federally preserved land, and is still relatively underdeveloped compared to many national parks and monuments. That means the former logging roads that crisscross the dense northern hardwood forests still feel wild and remote—and are great for gravel cycling. Starting and ending at the Whetstone Falls Day Use Area, a lollipop around the main park loop clocks 25 miles and nearly 2,500 feet of climbing on some of the most scenic gravel roads in Maine—nearly every corner will offer vistas of the towering Katahdin, marshy ponds where moose are common, or the eponymous woods that turn every shade of red and yellow in the autumn.

Katahdin Woods and Waters

Bar Harbor, Easy-Moderate There’s no way around it—Acadia National Park is extremely busy in the summer. With a gravel or mountain bike, however, you can enjoy the 45-mile carriage road system that traverses ridges and valleys deep in the park. Built in the first half of the 20th century by the philanthropist John D. Rockefeller for horse-drawn carriages (horses still frequent these trails, so be cautious around corners or descents), these crushed stone roads are not technical, but do require off-road tires. Since most park visitors never make it more than a few miles from the park’s loop road, the deep interior of the park can still offer a quiet experience even on a busy weekend day.

Acadia Carriage Roads

Eustis, Moderate-Difficult Benedict Arnold—America’s most notorious traitor—was once the commander of a brave, if foolhardy, assault on Quebec City. But, first, he and his army had to march across the wild and unmapped borderland between Maine and Quebec to get there, losing nearly half the men in the process. Today this route is commemorated with the Arnold Trail (Route 27 north of Eustis), which parallels his path up the Dead River, to the Chain of Ponds, and finally the height of land at Coburn Gore—a border crossing with Quebec. This road cycling route weaves through the wild and largely trailless peaks of the Longfellow Mountains, and makes a perfect 50-mile out and back from Pine’s Market in Eustis (just turn around earlier to shorten the route).

arnold trail

White Mountain National Forest, Difficult This is a road ride for the mountain goats. After parking in Stow and heading north on Route 113, a few miles of rolling terrain alongside old 1800s farmsteads leads to the base of the climb up Evan’s Notch. At almost two and a half miles with pitches over 15% grade and 860 feet of elevation gain, it’s among the hardest road ascents in Maine. Right when lungs and legs are ready to give out, a scenic overlook opens up with views across the valley below and toward the impressive Baldface ridge. From here, you can turn back to Stow for a 20-mile round-trip ride, cruise down and re-climb the back (less steep) side of the notch from Gilead for a 36-miler, or, if you have enough left in the tank, tackle the spectacular out-and-back gravel road paralleling the Wild River for a tough 42-mile round-trip route.

Evan’s Notch

Machias, Easy-Moderate This 87-mile long gravel rail trail runs from Ellsworth northeasterly, just inland from the coastline, making it the longest rail trail in New England (the trail itself ends near Pembroke, but an on-road route connects to Calais). Often used as a bike-touring route, the towns of Cherryfield and Machias come at miles 32 and 60 respectively, where you can book lodging, and campsites are also available with just short detours from the trail. If a day trip fits the schedule better, the 4-mile section between Machias and East Machias traverses a unique salt-marsh ecosystem and crosses one of the few Atlantic salmon spawning rivers in the country.

Downeast Sunrise Trail

Presque Isle, Moderate The Aroostook Valley rail trail is 29 miles long, but offers a deep-in-the-woods feel that belies its proximity to the farms and communities of northern Maine. A “Y” shaped trail, the main route runs roughly north-south from New Sweden to Presque Isle (20 miles), with a branch from the midway point in Washburn to Caribou (9 miles). The Crouseville Trestle bridges the Aroostook River, an ideal spot to enjoy a bite to eat or a swim in the river. The sometimes rough gravel necessitates durable tires, and remember it’s a multi-use trail so watch out for other trail users.

Aroostook Valley Rail Trail

Portland, Easy The largest islands in Casco Bay are all accessed via the Casco Bay Lines Ferry service out of Portland Harbor, and while exploration on the islands by foot is fun, without a doubt bikes offer the best way to poke around. With careful ferry schedule planning, it’s possible to island hop—taking an hour or two to ride around, find a beach, or a bite to eat, then catching a ride to the next island. Cliff Island offers some of the best swimming beaches, Chebeague Island’s Historical Museum gives a sense of island life over the centuries, and Crown Jewel on Great Diamond Island is a top notch eatery to finish the day.

Casco Bay Islands

Greenville Situated on the western shore of Maine’s largest lake, Moosehead, The Birches has multiple lodging options. The old lodge, with a gorgeous dining room and pub that serves both guests and the local crowd, also has individual hotel-style rooms. Along the lakeshore are a number of rustic cabins and fancier cottages, most of which also have kitchenettes. For those looking to rough it, the Birches also has yurts and smaller cabins equipped with bunk beds. Be sure to enjoy at least one dinner at the dining hall—weekend favorites include their famous prime rib and Sunday turkey dinner!

The Birches

Phippsburg Phippsburg is where the white sand beaches of southern Maine converge with the rocky outcrops of the Midcoast. Situated out at the end of the peninsula, Hermit Island is actually connected to the mainland by a barrier beach, but the “island” itself is a unique mixture of rocky headlands and sandy beaches. The beachfront campground here offers several tiers of sites at varying distances from the ocean, but all offer easy access to large swaths of sand. A fantastic trail system winds around the western coast and follows rocky promontories to smaller pocket beaches on the north side of the island.

Hermit Island

Grand Lakes Stream Weatherby’s history goes back well over a century—the Weatherby family bought the classic Maine sporting camps in 1922, when they’d already been operating for years. Today 15 cottages are scattered throughout the forest, and delicious meals are still served daily in the 1902 dining hall. Primarily a hunting and fishing destination, Weatherby’s provides access to this remote corner of Maine with guided or unguided trips out on Grand Lake Stream and West Grand Lake (you’ll use regional Grand Laker square-sterned canoes). Grand Lake Stream is a fly fishing-only river which has helped to preserve some of the best landlocked salmon fishing in Maine.

Weatherby’s Camps

Brownfield Putting the glamor in glamping, these yurts offer a comfortable and warm year-round camping experience. The six yurts are spread out over the 57-acre property, offering plenty of privacy. Each yurt is fully equipped with a wood stove (and ample firewood), a simple gas cooking stove with enough pots, pans, and utensils for almost any meal, and enough room for six people. While there’s no electricity or running water, these yurts are luxurious, and a great way to introduce the whole family to camping—dogs are also welcome!

Frost Mountain Yurts

Millinocket This is one of the oldest sporting camps in Maine, dating all the way back to 1872. Deep in Maine’s North Woods, the camps are the only civilization on the wild Nahmakanta Lake. While old, the cabins themselves have been lovingly restored, and are a comfortable homebase for hiking, paddling, and fishing adventures nearby, with home-cooked meals served in the 19th-century dining hall. While the area is famous for the brook trout fishing, the nearby hiking is really the unsung star of the camps—more than 70 miles of trails to gorgeous waterfalls, gorges, and lakes crisscross the preserved land surrounding the camps.

Nahmakanta Camps

Portage Far from the reach of cell service, Red River camps are a true backwoods getaway. These fly-fishing camps in the Deboullie Public Reserve Lands not only have brook trout, but also blueback trout—a rare, landlocked arctic char subspecies only native to a handful of ponds in Maine and Quebec. They’re hard to catch on the best of days, but this is one of the few spots these trout can be caught with any regularity. In addition to breakfast made to order and family-style dinners, packed lunches are included.

Red River Camps

Ashland A slow but picturesque 18-mile drive on logging roads leads to Libby Camps, which have been operating on the shore of Millinocket Lake for 130 years. The rustic log cabins haven’t changed too much over that period (in the best of ways!), although the “new” main lodge dates from the 1960s. In addition to fishing, these camps offer guided fowl, deer, moose, and bear hunting. With a seaplane at the camps, scenic flights are also an optional activity—or they can provide a quick 5-minute flight to Baxter State Park.

Libby Camps

Dennysville Cobscook is the Maliseet-Passamaquoddy word for “boiling tides,” a name befitting the massive 28-foot tidal range of the bay. The 106-campsite park, like most state park campgrounds, has car-accessed sites with picnic tables and fire pits (great for tents, RVs welcome but there aren’t water or electrical hookups). A spectacular spot for birding, Cobscook Bay is on an important migratory route and is host to more than 200 species of birds annually. The rich sea life also helps support the largest bald eagle population in Maine. While there is a boat launch at the park, consider the extreme tidal conditions before heading out on the water.

Cobscook Bay State Park

Bristol Just up the road from the gorgeous Pemaquid Point Lighthouse, this family-run campground has 50 sites and all the amenities you’d need for RV camping. In addition to the lighthouse, there’s nearby Colonial Pemaquid and Fort William Henry, a historical site inhabited by Native Americans for more than 7,000 years and the site of several forts since the British arrival in 1620. For nature lovers the nearby Hardy Boat cruise takes visitors out around Eastern Egg Rock, the southernmost puffin colony in North America.

Pemaquid Point Campground

Eustis This campground, set amongst an old grove of towering Red Pines, is right on the shore of Flagstaff Lake. There are 115 tent sites and more for RVs, as well as bathrooms with warm showers. On the southern horizon, the Bigelow Range towers above Flagstaff Lake, with the closest peak, Cranberry, making an excellent day hike. Trips to Rangeley and Carrabassett Valley are also easy from Cathedral Pines, opening up a plethora of adventure options. But no need to go far: from the campsite itself there is fantastic swimming at the beach, and paddling and fishing in the lake are both top-notch.

Cathedral Pines

Weld This state park, tucked into the mountains near Farmington, offers a large campground on the shore of Webb Lake. A huge park with more than 8,000 acres, it’s centered on 3,187-foot Mount Blue (a great hike), as well as the lake. The campground offers canoe rentals and also has a Nature Center with ecological displays, hands-on exhibits, and sometimes scheduled outings. Mountain bikers and equestrians can utilize a 25-mile system of multi-use trails across the road from the campground.

Mount Blue State park

Freeport Wolfe’s Neck Center, a large working farm on the shoreline of Casco Bay, works to engage with communities about sustainable food systems, runs workshops, and leads school programs. What’s more, the organization also offers camping on the massive 600-acre property. These shoreline sites vary from RV-friendly to tent-only, as well as several cabins and canvas tents. With bike and kayak rentals on site and Freeport Village just five minutes away, this campground is a great hub for adventure in the greater Portland region.

Wolfe’s Neck Campground

Old Town, on the banks of the Penobscot River, is a bridge away from the Penobscot Nation Museum on Indian Island. The museum showcases historic artifacts like birchbark canoes and stone tools, and also serves as a hub of cultural learning and passing-on of traditions. Add a multi-day Penobscot Cultural Tourism paddling trip to Sugar Island with a Penobscot guide to experience Penobscot culture firsthand, including learning about traditional uses for native plants and crafts like basketweaving and flintknapping. In Old Town, be sure to try Kanù, a new restaurant with rooftop dining right downtown.

Old Town

Around the corner from strip mall-lined Route 26 is something altogether different—the quaint and extremely walkable Main Street of Norway. As with so many downtown revitalizations, a coffee shop (Cafe Nomad) and a brewery (Norway Brewing Co.) are at the forefront of the rejuvenated scene. With a focus on locally sourced ingredients for their food menu and beers, Norway Brewing Co. epitomizes the locavore movement, as does the Fare Share Food Co-op down the street. Other fun stops here include Fiber & Vine, a yarn and wine store, the Main Street Gallery, and the Tribune Book Shop.

Norway

When Cornelia “Flyrod” Crosby became the first registered Maine guide in 1879 (and the first female guide to boot), Rangeley was seen as the epicenter of American fly fishing. Sportsmen—like Teddy Roosevelt—flocked to the region to catch an elusive 12-pound brook trout. Some things have changed (trout now top out at around 6 pounds), but Rangeley is still the quintessential fishing gateway. Historic establishments like the Rangeley Inn and Tavern and Loon Lake Lodge serve hot meals and cold beers a century on. When you’re not out casting flies, dive into the rich history of the region at the Rangeley Outdoor Sporting Heritage Museum in Oquossoc.

Rangeley

Just inland from the beach-lined coast of Southern Maine, the former twin mill towns of Biddeford and Saco sit on the Saco River. Pepperell Mill, once one of the largest clothing mills in the country, sat dormant for years after the industry crashed, but today is the center of a bustling cultural hub. Restaurants like Jackrabbit, a Scandinavian inspired bakery, sit next door to modern clothing designers like Suger, which makes apparel from bamboo and other sustainable materials, and Hyperlite Mountain Gear, an outdoor gear manufacturer. Across the street is Magnus on Water, an exceptional dining restaurant and cocktail bar.

Biddeford

Greenville is, in essence, the last town before the North Woods. It should be no surprise then that much of the town revolves around outdoor recreation. Stock up at Northwoods Outfitters, which has a great coffee stand inside, or Kamp Kamp, a home goods store with a sporting camp bent. But it’s not all hiking and fishing. You can head north on Moosehead Lake on the Katahdin, an old steamboat run by the Moosehead Marine Museum. Or explore just north of town, where a logging road leads to the site of a 1964 B-52 bomber crash on Elephant Mountain.

Greenville

Monhegan Island lies 12 miles off the coast, and is the quintessential Maine village—a harbor awash in lobster boats, lined with old clapboard houses, with a lighthouse on the promontory above. A long-established artist colony which has hosted painters like Edward Hopper, Rockwell Kent, and Jamie Wyeth, Monhegan has several great galleries and studios (check out the Lupine Gallery). For birders, the island is situated along the Atlantic flyway migratory route and sees a huge diversity of species on its shores. An astonishing 17 miles of trails wind around the 1.75 mile-long island; don’t miss the 150-foot cliffs at Blackhead. Ready to relax? Head to the Monhegan Brewing Company.

Monhegan

North Haven, in the heart of Penobscot Bay, has it all. Accessed by a ferry from Rockland, the charming waterfront hosts the Hopkins Wharf Gallery, a fine-art gallery celebrating local artists. North Haven Oyster Company is renowned for the sweet, salty delicacies they pull out of the water. The nearby Turner Farm is a diversified organic farm with crops and livestock that hosts a spectacular farm-to-table dinner series all summer on Thursday and Friday evenings. For something a little different, the Waterman’s Community Center, which has long served as a meeting spot, now hosts films, theater performances, concerts, and lectures.

North Haven

What started with a conference in 2007—the Kneading Conference, an artisan bread fair—has transformed the mill town of Skowhegan. Maine Grains, a gristmill that specializes in organic and unique grain varietals, opened in the abandoned Skowhegan jailhouse in 2009, and now spearheads the fast-growing grain industry in the state. Right next door, the Miller’s Table serves breads, pastries, and pizzas (some highlighting the neighboring Crooked Face Creamery’s cheeses), while the town’s farmer’s market sets up just outside. Down below, in the Kennebec River, plans are underway for a riverfront park with a 2-mile path and whitewater paddling course.

Skowhegan

Wildlife lovers will be in heaven here. After a boat trip out to Machias Seal Island, you’ll encounter the largest puffin colony in the lower 48 (choose a tour that actually lands on the island itself). On top of puffins, razorbacks, and other seabirds, huge gray seals frequent the rocks offshore, and whales also pop up on occasion. Back on shore, the Downeast Salmon Federation’s hatchery plays a crucial role in maintaining successful breeding Atlantic Salmon in the Machias and East Machias Rivers. In town, family-owned Helen’s Restaurant has been serving up tasty meals and blueberry pie since 1950. Fun fact: This territory is still claimed by both the United States and Canada.

Machias

A stone’s throw from Canada across the St. John River, Fort Kent is a world away from Portland. This region of Maine, settled by French-speaking Acadians (a different group than the French-speaking Quebecois), has retained the local language and culture. The Musee Cultural du Mont Carmel, a museum in a once grand Catholic church, celebrates this Acadian culture. Even the restaurants, like Dolly’s, a delightful hole-in-the-wall diner, serves the traditional Acadian chicken stew and ployes—thin buckwheat pancakes similar to crepes. Want to take a movie break? The old 1969 Century Theater has been refurbished and equipped with digital projection.

Fort Kent

The Damariscotta is the destination for oysters. The unique estuary is an oyster grower’s dream and more than 80% of Maine oysters are harvested from these waters. Glidden Point offers shuck-your-own oysters, while the Shuck Station has a mean fried oyster po’boy among other offerings. Oysters aren’t alone in the river though—each spring millions of alewives—10-inch long herring—attempt to swim up the fish ladder at Damariscotta Mills. While the fish alone are a sight to behold, the feeding frenzy among eagles, osprey, cormorants, and seals is equally exciting. The wealth of the river has been known for millennia—Whaleback Shell Midden State Historic Site harbors a heap of discarded shells piled up over 1,000 years by Native Americans eating shellfish at this site.

Damariscotta

Once an important seaport at the head of Penobscot Bay, Belfast has turned the historic warehouses, sail lofts, and downtown into a thriving, artsy community. The working waterfront has interspersed gems like Marshall Wharf Brewing Company—where the brewing is out over the sea—and Wild Cow Creamery’s handmade ice cream. You don’t need to be a kid to enjoy Out On A Whimsey toy store, which has been a downtown staple for years. Just up the coast in Searsport, the Penobscot Maritime Museum has a 3-acre campus featuring historic buildings and exhibits that encompass Maine’s seafaring and boatbuilding industries. With enough detail for a die-hard sailor, and enough hands-on exhibits to keep kids engaged, this is a great museum for everyone.

Belfast

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Illustrations by Li Zhang

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Maine’s rich and varied history is preserved in its coastal towns and mountain hamlets alike. About 200 years ago, its deep woods were a haven for hunters and trappers. Then came some of the first steamboats, ferries, and fisheries in America. See it all on trail, museum, and boat tours, then head back to town for regional eats and a friendly, local atmosphere.

CULTURE

When you picture summer camp—log cabins, lake days, red canoes—you’re probably picturing Maine. Because almost 90 percent of the state is forested, it’s covered with gorgeous campsites. You’ll find everything from historic sporting camps to remote campgrounds alongside cold mountain streams. And thanks to Maine’s vast parks and preserves, you’ll always have space to spread out.

Camp

Maine’s vast system of trails, paved paths, and backroads make the state easy to tour on two wheels. Near the coast, you can roll from lighthouse to lighthouse on a beach cruiser—or hop on a mountain bike and tackle steep, technical descents without ever losing sight of the ocean. Deeper inland, forested gravel rides, long bike-touring routes, and flowy singletrack abound.

Bike

In Eastern Maine, you can push off from a pebbly shore and spend the day paddling beneath mist-shrouded peaks. To the west, you can kayak the Atlantic shoreline, spotting seabirds and tracing rugged coastal bluffs. And if whitewater’s more your game? The mountains and ocean are connected by a vast network of rivers, lakes, and streams—which means that in Maine, you’re never far from a put-in.

Bike

Maine is legendary among hikers for a few reasons. The first: It contains Mt. Katahdin, the northern terminus and traditional finish line of the 2,190-mile Appalachian Trail. It’s also home to Acadia National Park, the first place in the country to see the sunrise. In between, you’ll find rugged coasts, deep evergreen forests, and hundreds of miles of trail ready to be explored.

Hike

What makes this natural paradise so perfect to visit at any time of year? First, there’s a wide variety of sprawling, spacious landscapes—from forested mountains that are blanketed with snow in winter to coastal bluffs ripe for summer exploring. Next comes diverse seasonal recreation: skiing, dog sledding, hiking, camping, biking, and fishing. Now add the state’s rich cultural history and quaint small towns, and you’ve got a perfect destination for any adventure.

WHY MAINE

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The Maine Events

Skydiving. Mountain biking. SUP yoga. Fishing. Adventure scout L. Renee Blount tries them all on an epic trip by air, land, and water.

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The Maine Menu

Join our scout L. Renee Blount on a tour of Portland’s food scene as she samples everything from donuts to lobster.

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Hike + Snowshoe

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SKI

Maine

The Adventure Guide

Skiing in Maine is as much an experience as it is a sport. Ski resorts all over the country have become more commercialized, yet Maine has stayed true to its roots. Mountains and resorts here are friendly and unpretentious, offering experts and beginners alike uncongested trails within a welcoming community. And thanks to the state’s varied terrain, Maine serves up a veritable banquet of different types of skiing: alpine, cross-country, cat-skiing, skate skiing, and backcountry touring are all embraced.

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Carrabassett Valley The largest ski area east of the Rocky Mountains with one of the tallest vertical drops? Yup. The East Coast’s only mountain with above-treeline lift access? You bet. Sugarloaf Mountain’s stats are as impressive as its variety. Burnt Mountain, a ridgeline to the east of Sugarloaf itself, provides beautifully cut and maintained ski-tourer or cat-skier glades. And the Sugarloaf Outdoor Center, just below the alpine mountain, has over 50 kilometers of groomed Nordic ski, snowshoe, and fat bike trails. If you’re brave, the annual Inferno 10k ski race links the trail systems together; skiers start halfway up the alpine trails and navigate their way down a mix of alpine and Nordic trails to the Outdoor Center.

Sugarloaf Mountain

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Rangeley During a several year spell between owners in the 2010s, Saddleback’s lifts were closed and the trails became a haven for uphill skiers. That skiing-touring culture endures today. Uphill passes and rentals are sold alongside downhill ski passes, so you can experience Maine’s largest independently owned mountain anyway that suits you. With a friendly and laid-back atmosphere, Saddleback’s culture is quintessentially Maine.

Saddleback Mountain

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Fort Kent From the top of Lonesome Pines, see the St. John River, Maine’s northernmost ski town, Fort Kent, and the sweeping farm country of Quebec. Lonesome Pines is a bit of a community hub—family-friendly youth ski programs live alongside fun runs even experienced skiers enjoy, all accessed by an old-school T-bar. On the backside of the hill, find Fort Kent Outdoor Center, a nationally renowned biathlon center and Nordic ski center that once hosted the most-viewed live event in Maine history—a Biathlon World Cup. Events are scheduled regularly each winter, and the Nordic trails here are open well into the spring, when snow has melted elsewhere.

Lonesome Pines

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Bridgton Pleasant Mountain—which was called Shawnee Peak until this year, when it reverted to its original name from the 1930s—comes alive on weeknights. The high number of lit trails (19 of 44) make it a hub for after-work nighttime skiers. The vast majority of runs are intermediate, but you can find double-black diamond glades and several beginner-friendly trails.

Pleasant Mountain

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Camden Camden Snow Bowl is the only seaside ski area in the East; the views over Penobscot Bay from the lifts are breathtaking and totally unique. Camden Snow Bowl is also a town-owned and operated ski area with a community-centric ethos—think reduced rate passes and family and youth deals for local residents and a robust number of ski instructors and coaches. For an everyone-welcome alternative, there is also a tubing hill with a 200-foot vertical rise and a tube lift.

Camden Snow Bowl

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Greenwood Mt. Abram has been the go-to family ski area for Southern Mainers since it opened in 1960 for good reason: a full 60% of its terrain caters to beginner and intermediate skiers. Paired with an excellent lesson program and trails that are rarely congested, this is a great mountain to find your ski legs. And one you have them, you’ll find mogul runs, terrain parks, and glades to spice things up.

Mt. Abram

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Waterville Widely known in the racer community as a place to test your cross-country chops, Quarry Road is more than a race venue. The 10.5 kilometers of trails were created by former professional racer and award-winning trail designer John Morton, and use every twist, turn, rise and fall in the terrain. While the race course, a regular on the Division 1 collegiate circuit, offers the requisite challenges, much of the terrain is actually beginner friendly. Plus, as snowy winters become less reliable in Southern Maine, robust snowmaking ensures usable trails.

Quarry Road

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New Gloucester The extensive 30-kilometer network of impeccably groomed Nordic ski trails at Pineland Farm sits atop a large hill in New Gloucester. The distant Mount Washington and its sprawling 5,000-acre woods unfold in the fields and forests below. Tackle the Oak Hill Loop for some hair-raising descents and lung-busting climbs, or stick to the farm side for plenty of flat beginner-friendly trails. The outdoor center has an excellent fleet if you need to rent equipment (snowshoes and fat bikes included). Need a warm-up after a few hours out in the cold? The Pineland Farms Market is a favorite for après-ski snacks.

Pineland Farms

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Mars Hill Mars Hill is a monolith in the largely flat farm country of Aroostook County—you can see its windmill dotted ridgeline from many miles away. Bigrock Mountain alpine ski area—one of the oldest remaining ski areas in Aroostook County—is on the western slopes of Mars Hill. Legitimately steep runs—the upper 60% of the mountain is intermediate and advanced terrain only—and youth racing programs are the focus, but there are a few beginner trails and a tubing park. Bigrock Mountain often has a great snowpack and doesn’t suffer from the freeze-thaw cycle that can occur further south. If you’re a late season skier, it’s worth getting up on the ridgeline early, as starting March 25 of each year Mars Hill surpasses the more famous Cadillac Mountain as the first spot in the United States to see the rising sun.

Bigrock Mountain

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Dayton This Nordic ski center in southern Maine straddles a working dairy farm. The field loops close to the ski lodge are beginner-friendly and the outer loops—30 kilometers of which are groomed for skate skiing and 35 kilometers are groomed for classic skiing—have more challenging hills. Harris farm is dog-friendly on weekdays, or at least when trail conditions are firm enough that paws don’t sink too deeply. After you ski, treat yourself to the locally produced chocolate milk.

Harris Farm

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Freeport, Easy Just minutes from Freeport’s busy Main Street, Wolfe’s Neck Woods State Park packs a punch for a relatively small park—the trails wind up and around bedrock ridges and along the rocky shoreline on both sides of the Casco Bay peninsula. Most trails are centered on the portion of the park east of the road, but the trail that follows the western shoreline showcases some of the area’s most dramatic coastline, and it’s worth popping across the road to make a three-mile loop of the park’s full perimeter. Snowshoes are the best choice shortly after a big snowfall, but microspikes are almost always a necessity as the trails tend to get icy.

Wolfe's Neck Woods State Park

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Weld, Moderate Mount Blue State Park encompasses a huge area, some 8,000 acres, and with that comes a host of winter activities. One of the most exciting? Summiting the park’s namesake mountain. If you’re an intermediate hiker, the 3.2-mile round-trip is a great introduction to summiting peaks in winter. The trail is quite steep, though a good snowpack helps even out rough footing. The rocky summit is partially protected by scrubby evergreens and a fire tower affords fantastic views of all of western Maine. Winter winds are strong, so layer up. Be sure to hit up the warming hut back at headquarters.

Mount Blue State Park

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Houlton, Easy This regional science center has the northeastern-most planetarium in the country, and is a regular stop for Aroostook County science classes. It’s well worth visiting with kids—or anyone—who enjoy nature, science, and astronomy. In addition to the planetarium which runs regular educational programs, there is a new night sky observatory which offers superb views of the stars from one of the darkest locations in the contiguous United States. Outdoors, the 140 acres of forests and unique peatland habitat have a bit over two miles of trails that make a perfect first snowshoe for younger adventurers, and the scavenger hunts and interpretive signs keep kids engaged. In particular, the wildlife viewing here can be superb, with regular spotting of chickadees, nuthatches, jays, and even larger mammals. Make reservations ahead of time (the center is closed during school holidays).

Francis Malcolm Science Center

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Scarborough, Easy Saco Heath Preserve is a one-of-a-kind ecosystem: two adjacent ponds filled with peat (decaying plant matter) centuries ago, and then grew a sphagnum bog atop the water table. This is the southernmost example of a northern-raised bog in the United States and the only such bog with Atlantic White Cedar. The out-and-back trail, 2.1 miles total, includes a short forest section before the boardwalk begins, which leads out into the heart of the bog. Although the overall hike is flat and easy, be aware that the boardwalk tends to ice up in the winter.

Saco Heath Preserve

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Bar Harbor, Difficult The crowds of people who gather atop Cadillac Mountain in the summer to witness the first sunlight in the United States may be dismayed to learn that Cadillac is actually the second or third summit to see the summer sun—but the first to catch winter’s morning rays. In fact, winter may be the best time to summit Cadillac Mountain for sunrise anyway—the longer nights allow for a bit more sleep, and the closed auto-road and lack of summer crowds make for a much quieter summit experience. Park at the closed gate off Eagle Lake Road and hike up the North Ridge Trail for a four-mile round-trip, and be certain to bring a headlamp, lots of warm layers for the summit, and traction for the potentially icy ridge-line.

Cadillac Mountain

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Newry, Moderate This steep, short (2.4 miles out-and-back) hike to a rock promontory overlooking Grafton Notch is one of the best hikes in Grafton Notch State Park. By mid-winter, it’s usually best completed on snowshoes given the typically deep snowpack. While the whole climb is fairly steep, one pitch of rock scrambling shortly before the summit can prove truly difficult if there’s snow and ice, but if you’re up to the challenge it’s worth pushing on to see the views over the notch. Table Rock is perched on the side of Baldpate Mountain, and the sweeping glacially carved valley is laid out below with fantastic views of Old Speck Mountain across the valley.

Table Rock

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Bridgton, Moderate The mountain that is home to the Pleasant Mountain Ski Area on its northern slopes also offers superb snowshoeing on its western flank. The Southwest Ridge Trail is a medium-difficulty climb (5.4 miles out-and-back) with great views of the higher peaks of the White Mountains to the west, including the towering Mount Washington. Since Pleasant Mountain is quite a long ridge with several minor summits, this hike is far removed from the ski area and can afford real solitude in the winter. Bonus: This trail tends to be less icy and scrambly than other winter summits, so it’s good for dogs—just make sure they’re under control and prepared for several hours in winter temperatures.

Pleasant Mountain

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Scarborough, Easy The idyllic seaside estates on Prout’s Neck are there for a reason—this rocky promontory situated between two of Maine’s best beaches is in itself a microcosm of much of Maine’s coast—where sand, granite, cliffs, and the slate gray sea all converge. This shoreline was a favorite subject of Winslow Homer, who had a studio overlooking the sea here, and the setting of famous works like Early Morning After A Storm At Sea are instantly recognizable when walking this coastal track. The 2.2-mile out-and-back trail climbs the cliffs and follows the coast around the point—footing can be difficult even without ice, so be cautious and check whether the trail is open before embarking.

Cliff Walk (Prout’s Neck)

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Sanford, Easy Often overlooked in favor of its shorter sibling, nearby Mount Agamenticus, Bauneg Beg is the highest mountain in the region at 866 feet and is surrounded by 89 acres of wooded preserve. This gentle two-mile hike is a great first summit for children and showcases stunning 180 degree views. Devil’s Den, a rugged section of trail with overhanging bedrock cliffs and large boulder piles, is a trail highlight. The two trailheads access the mountain from opposing sides—the Bauneg Beg Hill Road entrance leads to a long, winding trail to the summit and the Fox Farm Hill Road side is shorter, steeper, and includes the Devil’s Den portion of the hike.

Bauneg Beg Mountain

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Pownal, Easy One of Maine’s five original state parks, Bradbury has two distinct halves. The western portion is centered around Bradbury Mountain itself, with the popular .3-mile summit trail shooting straight to the top. The longer one-mile Northern Loop Trail makes an ideal way to snowshoe this unique geological feature that was carved by ice sheets. Across the road on the eastern side of the park, the trails are designed for mountain biking, with winding ascents and descents through the thick forest (trails are groomed for fat bikes in the winter). These, too, can be hiked, but only with snowshoes—footprints can make the trails unrideable for cyclists.

Bradbury Mountain

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Gorham Early each spring, as the days start to get a bit longer and the temperature occasionally sneaks above freezing, there’s a silent change in the forest—the sugar maple sap starts running. Over a few weeks the sap is collected and boiled down to create the delicious maple syrup ubiquitous across the state. Maine Maple Sunday—a bit of a state holiday when sugar shacks open their doors for tours and tastings—occurs on what is often a snowy weekend at the end of March. One local family-owned sugaring operation, Parson’s Maple Farm in Gorham, offers samples of its maple cream and maple sugar, and a pancake breakfast.

Parson's Maple Farm

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Oxford Formerly part of Carter’s Ski Center, the barn and trail system in Oxford is now the home of Oxbow Beer Garden. The main facility houses Oxbow’s brews and a wood-fired pizza oven with heated A-frames and outdoor seating around fire pits. On weekends there's a second (secret!) beer bar deep in the woods on the nordic ski trails—the perfect excuse for a mid-ski libation. Plenty of space for kids to play makes this location a favorite for families.

Oxbow Beer Garden

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Camden The annual United States Toboggan championships is held on the second weekend of February each year. A festival with boisterous costumed crowds (think lumberjacks, moose onesies, and lots of neon), the toboggan championship is not exactly a professional sports exhibition, but rather a chance to celebrate in the depths of winter. The centerpiece of the event is the iced toboggan chute, which shoots contestants out onto a quarter-mile long runoff on the frozen Hosmer Pond. The competition is tight—the toboggans can hit 40-plus miles per hour and winners are usually separated by hundredths of seconds. The entire event is a classic Maine experience.

US Toboggan Championships

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Portland This Scandinavian and Japanese inspired sauna and bathhouse on Portland’s hip Washington Avenue brings a peaceful public bathing experience to the urban environment. The sauna, cold plunge pool, and delicious Scandinavian fare mean you can easily spend a few hours here. Pair a sauna visit with the nearby Izakaya Minato Japanese restaurant, and you’ll have a truly global experience in Maine.

Washington Baths

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Waterville An unassuming liberal arts college in the small town of Waterville, Colby College has an art museum with five wings and almost 10,000 works spread out over 38,000 square feet of exhibition space. Highlights include works by some of the most iconic American painters, like Winslow Homer and Andrew Wyeth. You’ll also find pieces by the acclaimed reductive-modernist Alex Katz, who’s seemingly simplistic work belies an aptitude for breaking complex scenes down to their key components. Another favorite is the American Heritage collection, which features more than 75 works by American folk artists.

Colby Museum of Art

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Greenville Greenville is the starting point for the 160-mile Moosehead Trail Network, which links Greenville and Rockwood. A hub for winter sportspeople, the lively downtown has spots to eat and get outfitted for a day on the trail. A day not enough? The Moosehead Trail Network links into the Maine Interconnected Trail system for connections to the rest of Maine, New Hampshire, and even Canada. Want to explore even far and wide? Snowmobiles open up the Northwoods and allow access to hiking trailheads and far-off ice-fishing holes on the massive Moosehead Lake. Hire a guide to take you out on the expanse of ice and snow in hopes of catching a salmon or a cusk—a local favorite for fish chowder.

Greenville

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Bath A field in the summer that’s dammed and flooded for the winter season, Godard’s Pond in Bath is one of the few remaining public pond skating “rinks.” The frozen pond is free to use and has a warming hut, snack stand, rentals, and outdoor lighting until 9 pm. It’s no surprise that this full-featured facility is often busy during after-school hours as children and families meet up to skate. A visit here is a great way to experience a key part of the Maine social scene on cold winter evenings.

Goddard’s Pond

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Portland Portland might not be known as a big sports city, but there’s a lot of hometown love for the Maine Mariners, Portland’s AA professional hockey team (they replaced a previous franchise that was sold). Watching the Mariners play at the Cross Insurance Arena has become a go-to way to spend an evening in Portland, especially when paired with one of the delicious downtown restaurants like Leeward, an artisan pasta bistro across the street from the arena.

Maine Mariners

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Fort Kent The start of the Can-Am Crown Race is reminiscent of the famous Iditarod, with dog teams starting the race on a snow-covered Main Street in Fort Kent. Spectators line the first several miles of the course, cheering the teams on before the sleds head off into the Allagash Wilderness. While waiting for the racer’s return, be sure to try the local delicacies—a thick chicken stew and ployes, a hearty buckwheat pancake native to the St. John Valley. The fastest teams typically finish the 250-mile race in about 48 hours—but the 30-mile racers will be back in Fort Kent that afternoon for a finish line full of fanfare and a party atmosphere.

Can-Am Crown Race

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Bowdoinham Smelt is a small fish that has long been an important winter protein source in New England and the Canadian Maritime Provinces. Today, smelting, as fishing for smelt is called, is less a dietary necessity than a cultural holdover, but in late winter entire shanty towns of ice fishing huts will spring up on Maine’s coastal rivers, and you can try your hand (literally, as smelt lines are pulled up by hand, not with a fishing reel) at catching the fish. The huts sometimes feature drinks and often food, anything from deep-fried smelt to grilled oysters, and a wood stove for warmth. Just be aware that Maine tradition dictates that the first person to catch a smelt has to bite the head off.

Smelting on Kennebec and Cathance Rivers

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100 Mile Wilderness The Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC) has three ski-in ski-out lodges tucked into the heart of the 66,000-acre 100 Mile Wilderness. The northernmost and newest, Medawisla, is accessible by car year-round and has ADA accessible cabins. If you’re able, park at the AMC Winter Lot and ski or snowshoe seven miles over the Hedgehog Trail to Little Lyford. This lodge and collection of cabins has served backwoods guests for 140 years and, like all the AMC lodges, features amenities such as three delicious cooked meals a day and wood-fired saunas. After a night or two at Little Lyford, pack up and ski seven miles to the nearby Gorman Chairback Lodge to complete the trifecta.

AMC Lodges

Bethel Primarily known for its XC ski center, fully-outfitted ski shop, and well maintained trails, Carter’s also has some fantastic winter lodging options. Simple, charming ski-in ski-out cabins come complete with potable water, propane lights, and 55 kilometers of groomed trails accessible right out the front door. Carter’s is also a quick drive from Sunday River and Black Mountain of Maine, making it a perfect jump off point for skiing in other parts of the state.

Carter's Ski Center

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Jefferson Just minutes from downtown Damariscotta, Hidden Valley Nature Center is unexpectedly quiet and secluded. Several rustic backcountry cabins and a yurt are scattered within a few miles of the parking area, each with their own unique designs and feel. The small rustic log cabin of Two Dog Hut, with a bed suspended from the rafters, is the perfect weekend getaway for an adventurous couple, while some of the larger cabins or the circular yurt may work better for larger groups.

Hidden Valley Nature Center

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Georgetown Balanced in the forest canopy on a hill overlooking the Back River, the three whimsical Seguin Tree Dwellings here are the treehouses of your childhood dreams—with a grownup spin. Think playful rope bridges, walls of vintage windows, a Scandinavian aesthetic, and a wood-fired hot tub that sits above the forest floor. You won’t find a better place to end a day spent outside than . . . outside, in a cedar hot tub with the snow falling all around.

Seguin Tree Dwellings

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Millinocket A hub for raft guides, hikers, and paddlers in the summer, the New England Outdoor Center becomes an even more important gathering place in the winter because most nearby establishments shut down. Its location just outside of Baxter State Park makes it an ideal launch point for winter day trips into the park, or for a warm bed before or after longer expeditions. The lodging includes a variety of cabins and the main lodge houses the River Drivers Restaurant—with a surprising selection of fresh local produce and delicious craft brews.

New England Outdoor Center

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Carrabassett Valley The Hostel of Maine brings the affordability of European hostel stays to Maine. Once a bed and breakfast, the lodge hasn’t lost any of that charm, but true to the hostel name, twin beds in shared rooms start at a super reasonable $45 per night. Private quarters are also available. Located just down the hill from Sugarloaf Mountain, adjacent to the Sugarloaf Outdoor Center, and near tons of other trails, this is the perfect spot for outdoor adventurers who want an affordable bed and a fun social scene.

Hostel of Maine

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Kingfield Maine Huts and Trails began as an ambitious project to build a European-style hut system connected by trails in western Maine. Currently there are four huts spread out in an arc north of Kingfield, from Carrabassett Valley over toward The Forks. Each hut has state-of-the-art off-grid power and bathroom systems, heated lodging in bunk or private rooms, and winter staff that cooks superb meals with locally sourced ingredients. With 90 kilometers of groomed Nordic ski trails and a plethora of side trails through some of Maine’s prettiest country, any hut-to-hut trip here is guaranteed to be truly memorable.

Maine Huts and Trails

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Bethel The iconic yellow Bethel Inn has been a staple in downtown Bethel for more than a century. Parties of all sizes can find accommodations in the main building or the outer lodges and trailside townhomes. Nearby, find an impressive cross-country ski facility and specially groomed singletrack fat bike trails, packed down for ideal riding conditions. The Bethel Inn’s downstairs Millbrook Tavern and Grille is a great spot to put your feet up post-ski—the classic pub fare (the burger is hard to beat) and great beer selection always hit the spot.

Bethel Inn

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Bar Harbor Any local will tell you that their favorite time of year to explore Acadia is the off-season, when tourists are few and the amazing scenery feels like a private preserve. A few blocks from the heart of Bar Harbor, the gateway town to the cliffs of Acadia, you’ll find Mira Monte Inn, a charming Victorian bed and breakfast with elegant furniture, ornate wallpaper, and four-poster beds with heavy duvets that are the perfect antidote to the winter weather outside.

Mira Monte Inn

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Newry Looking for accommodation that comes with a huge dose of adventure? Head out with Mahoosuc Guides on dogsledding/camping expedition. The trip begins by loading up a dogsled on one of Maine’s frozen northern lakes or trails. After a day of dogsledding you’ll arrive at a well-appointed campsite with heavy-duty canvas wall tents—each with a wood-burning stove and floors covered in balsam boughs. If you don’t have winter camping gear, no problem—you can borrow everything you need for the trip, including US Army surplus Arctic boots that’ll keep your feet toasty. One night out is unforgettable, but a multi-day trip really allows you to settle into the rhythms of winter camping with a dog team.

Mahoosuc Guide Service

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Lose yourself in the quiet of a winter hike in Maine, where small parks punch above their weight in terms of scenery, and vast public acreage takes years to explore fully. Entry-level winter hikers will find plenty of trails with great snowpack suited to their experience, and wilderness aficionados will enjoy exploring unique peatland habitats and other one-of-a-kind ecosystems.

CULTURE

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Did you know that North America’s sugar maple trees are the sweetest in the world? That might help explain why maple is as much of a flavor in Maine as it is a lifestyle, particularly in late winter when the sap starts flowing and sugar shacks open their doors to tours and tastings. Maine’s winter culture is hardly limited to its famous syrup; interesting events and activities—such as a dogsled race, a toboggan championship, and smelting—abound.

CULTURE

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Winter is the time to cozy up, and you can do that all over Maine, whether that’s in a secluded backcountry hut, a downtown inn, or a whimsical tree dwelling. Maine’s wild winterscapes translate to a bounty of warm quaint cabins and historic lodges that come as well-appointed as you need them to be. Want to ski to an off-grid shelter? You got it. Prefer an accessible spot with all the comforts? You’ll find that here, too.

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Hike + Snowshoe

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Lodges + Cabins

Only in Maine

From handcrafted skis to Sugarloaf's backcountry, winter in Maine is just better.

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