10 Best Maine Fall Foliage Road Trips To Take in 2025
Below you will find a list of 10 amazing Maine fall foliage road trips to try out this year. This state’s vast forests, mountains, and coastal landscapes turn into a stunning display of red, gold, and orange. From the iconic cliffs of Acadia to the quiet lake country in Rangeley and Moosehead, Maine offers one of the most diverse fall foliage experiences in the Northeast. Whether you want to hike, paddle, or road trip through vibrant color, this guide will help you discover the best places to catch peak foliage throughout the state and on top of all that provide you with a complete itinerary to see all of the below spots!
Acadia National Park:
- Location: Mount Desert Island, coastal Maine
- Best time to go: Late September to mid-October
- Nearby towns: Bar Harbor, Southwest Harbor, Ellsworth (see hotel options)
Acadia National Park is one of Maine’s most iconic destinations for a Maine fall foliage road trip, and its fall foliage is nothing short of spectacular. Visitors can explore the park’s rugged coastline, scenic drives, and mountain hikes, all framed by brilliant autumn colors. Cadillac Mountain, the highest point on the U.S. East Coast, offers stunning panoramic views of the fall foliage spread across Mount Desert Island and the Atlantic Ocean. There are other several other Acadia National Park hikes such as the Beehive trail and Precipice Trails that are amazing for this.
Moosehead Lake:
- Location: Northwestern Maine
- Best time to go: Early to mid-October
- Nearby towns: Greenville, Rockwood, Monson (see hotel options)
Moosehead Lake is Maine’s largest lake, and the surrounding forested hills provide a dazzling display of fall colors. The Big Moose Mountain hiking trail offers panoramic views of the lake and the foliage, while the Kineo Mountain Trail on Mount Kineo gives hikers an opportunity to experience fall colors from one of Maine’s most scenic spots. Moosehead Lake is also a popular spot for moose watching during autumn.
Rangeley Lakes Region:
- Location: Western Maine
- Best time to go: Early to mid-October
- Nearby towns: Rangeley, Oquossoc, Carrabassett Valley (see hotel options)
The Rangeley Lakes Region is a prime location for experiencing Maine’s fall foliage, with scenic drives, lakes, and mountains covered in autumn colors. Height of Land, a famous overlook along Route 17, offers one of the best panoramic views of the fall foliage in the state. Visitors can also enjoy boating, fishing, and hiking in this picturesque area, making it a top destination for leaf peepers.
Camden Hills State Park:
- Location: Camden, coastal Maine
- Best time to go: Early to mid-October
- Nearby towns: Camden, Rockport, Belfast (see hotel options)
Camden Hills State Park offers a unique combination of mountain and ocean views, with stunning fall foliage framing the coastline. A hike or drive up to the top of Mount Battie provides spectacular views of the harbor, the town of Camden, and Penobscot Bay, all surrounded by colorful fall leaves. The park’s mix of coastal and forested areas makes it a great spot for photographers and nature lovers. Camden is easily one of the top locations to explore on a Maine Coast road trip.
Grafton Notch State Park:
- Location: Western Maine, near the New Hampshire border
- Best time to go: Late September to early October
- Nearby towns: Bethel, Newry, Rumford (see hotel options)
Grafton Notch State Park is a rugged mountain destination known for its scenic beauty and dramatic fall foliage. The park features waterfalls, hiking trails, and scenic vistas, with trails like the Old Speck Mountain Trail providing some of the best fall foliage views in the area. Visitors can also enjoy the Screw Auger Falls and Mother Walker Falls along the Bear River, where the surrounding trees are ablaze with autumn colors.
Baxter State Park:
- Location: North-central Maine
- Best time to go: Mid to late September
- Nearby towns: Millinocket, Patten, Medway (see hotel options)
Baxter State Park, home to Mount Katahdin, Maine’s highest peak, offers a remote and wild setting for experiencing fall foliage. The park’s forests are filled with vibrant reds and oranges during the autumn months, and hikes like the Chimney Pond Trail or Abol Trail offer some of the best views of the fall colors. For less strenuous activities, visitors can take scenic drives along the park’s winding roads or enjoy peaceful walks by the park’s many ponds and rivers.
Kennebec River Valley:
- Location: Central Maine
- Best time to go: Early to mid-October
- Nearby towns: Skowhegan, Waterville, Augusta (see hotel options)
The Kennebec River Valley offers a peaceful and scenic area to view Maine’s fall foliage. The river winds through forests and farmlands that are vibrant with autumn colors. The Old Canada Road Scenic Byway (Route 201) follows the Kennebec River and offers one of the best scenic drives for leaf peeping. Visitors can also enjoy walking or biking along the river’s edge in towns like Skowhegan or Waterville.
Mount Blue State Park:
- Location: Western Maine
- Best time to go: Early to mid-October
- Nearby towns: Weld, Wilton, Farmington (see hotel options)
Mount Blue State Park is Maine’s largest state park, offering ample opportunities for outdoor activities and stunning fall foliage views. The hike up Mount Blue provides breathtaking vistas of the surrounding forests and mountains, all awash in autumn colors. For those looking for a less strenuous activity, the park’s many lakes and trails offer easy access to fall scenery without the climb.
Bradbury Mountain State Park:
- Location: Pownal, Southern Maine
- Best time to go: Early to mid-October
- Nearby towns: Freeport, Yarmouth, Brunswick (see hotel options)
Bradbury Mountain State Park is a popular spot for day hikes and fall foliage viewing in southern Maine. The Summit Trail is a short hike that rewards visitors with sweeping views of the surrounding forests and rolling hills, especially beautiful during peak foliage season. The park’s close proximity to Freeport makes it an easy stop for visitors looking to experience fall colors and enjoy a day of shopping or dining nearby.
Androscoggin Riverlands State Park:
- Location: Turner, Central Maine
- Best time to go: Early to mid-October
- Nearby towns: Lewiston, Auburn, Turner (see hotel options)
Androscoggin Riverlands State Park offers scenic views of the Androscoggin River and its surrounding woodlands, which come alive with fall colors each year. The park features a variety of hiking and biking trails that provide access to beautiful foliage along the riverbanks. The Ridge Trail offers some of the best views, with elevated areas that showcase the vibrant colors of the forest canopy.
5-7 Day Maine Fall Foliage Road Trips Itinerary Planner:
Use this flexible itinerary to plan your road trip or weekend getaway. You can follow it as a loop or mix and match destinations depending on where you’re starting from.
Day 1: Acadia National Park
- Drive the Park Loop Road for cliffside color
- Hike the Beehive or Gorham Mountain Trail
- Watch sunrise or sunset from Cadillac Mountain
Day 2: Camden Hills State Park
- Hike Mount Battie for views of the harbor and colorful hills
- Explore downtown Camden for fall-themed shops and dining
- Visit Megunticook Lake for peaceful reflections
Day 3: Moosehead Lake
- Drive around the lake for panoramic leaf views
- Hike Mount Kineo or take a boat across to the peninsula
- Look for moose at dusk along the shoreline
Day 4: Baxter State Park
- Hike South Turner Mountain or explore scenic ponds
- Visit Katahdin Stream Falls or take in views of Mount Katahdin
- Overnight in nearby Millinocket or stay at a remote cabin
Day 5: Rangeley Lakes Region
- Drive the Rangeley Lakes Scenic Byway
- Hike Bald Mountain or enjoy a lakeside picnic
- Visit Height of Land overlook for wide-open views
Day 6: Grafton Notch State Park
- Explore Screw Auger Falls and Moose Cave Trail
- Hike part of the Table Rock Trail for dramatic cliff views
- Ideal stop between Rangeley and Mount Blue
Day 7: Mount Blue & Bradbury Mountain State Parks
- Hike Center Hill Trail in Mount Blue for sweeping views
- Finish with a short but scenic walk up Bradbury Mountain
- Add Androscoggin Riverlands if time allows for riverside trails and solitude
Related:
Photos:
Things to Know Before You Go
1. Peak Foliage Timing
- Northern Maine: Late September to early October
- Central & Coastal: Early to mid-October
- Southern: Mid-October
2. Book Early: Popular towns like Bar Harbor, Camden, and Rangeley fill quickly—reserve lodging at least a month ahead.
3. Pack for All Weather: Bring layers, waterproof gear, and sturdy shoes. Weather shifts fast, especially in the mountains.
4. Download Maps in Advance: Cell service is spotty in areas like Baxter and Grafton Notch. Offline maps are essential.
5. Start Early, Drive Safe: Mornings offer fewer crowds and better light. Watch for wildlife, especially near lakes and forest roads.
Last Things to Know:
From the rugged peaks of Baxter to the coastal cliffs of Acadia, doing any one of the above Maine fall foliage road trips offers a diverse and unforgettable fall foliage experience. Whether you’re hiking mountain trails, paddling across quiet lakes, or simply taking in the views along a scenic drive, each destination brings its own unique charm to the season. With the right timing, a flexible itinerary, and a sense of adventure, you’ll find that fall in Maine isn’t just a trip, it’s a journey through some of the most vibrant and peaceful landscapes when doing a New England road trip. If you have any questions about this area, let me know below!
