Leaf Peeping in Maine
No matter what time of year you visit Maine, the scenery is breathtaking — but if you want to see something really spectacular, make your way up in September or October, when all the leaves on the trees are changing color, transforming into rich shades of gold and red. During fall, Maine receives visitors from all over the Northeast who are passionate about leaf peeping. If you’d like to join in and visit Maine at its most beautiful time of year, here are some tips for getting the most out of the fall foliage season.
Photo by pfly
The beginning of leaf-peeping season is the second week in September. However, if you want to see the height of Maine’s most vivid colors, the best times to visit are the last week in September through October 18th — at this point, all the trees are changing color, and you’ll see a variety of dramatic gold and crimson tones. Maine’s fall landscapes are a treasure trove for photographers, both amateur and professional — so make sure to bring your camera along for the expedition.
There are several ways to see Maine’s fall colors. One of the most common ways to take advantage of the stunning scenery is by car — a quick drive up coastal Route 1 from York to Portland offers some amazing sights. The Maine Eastern Railroad offers 2-hour sightseeing tours along the coast, from Brunswick to Rockland, for $40, if you don’t feel like driving. Boating is also a great option to get a close-up look at the changing leaves; take your canoe or paddleboat through the large salt marsh in Scarborough, just outside of Portland. And for the hikers among us, there are plenty of park trails with amazing access to the beautiful foliage — one of the best places to visit is the Pineland campus in New Gloucester, just off Route 231, which features 600 beautiful acres of natural forest land.
Other great places to go when you’re looking for the best in fall foliage colors are Maine’s many state parks. You’re sure to find amazing displays of color in parks like Aroostook State Park, Bradbury Mountain State Park, Camden Hills State Park, Fort Knox State Historic Park, Grafton Notch State Park, Lamoine State Park, Mount Blue State Park, and Wolfe’s Neck Woods State Park. These parks are located throughout the state, yet all have a remarkable variety of native trees, which, in fall, become alive with color.
Though prime leaf-peeping season is always between the months of September and October, it’s difficult to judge exactly when the colors will be at their best. To plan your trip, make sure to keep an eye on current conditions. All through the fall, you’ll find regular updates on leaf-peeping conditions within seven different zones of the state at:
http://www.maine.gov/doc/foliage/report/index.html
So if you want to catch Maine at its finest, don’t drive up with the summer crowds. Just wait a couple of months, and you’ll be bound for a breathtaking experience you’ll never forget.
Written by Kathy Hawkins on August 8, 2007
Filed Under Maine, Hiking, Wildlife, Seasons, Autumn
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