This gem of a park is 123 acres of woodlands and wetlands, with an expansive 10 acre pond. The trail that loops around the pond is great for you and your agile dog to go hiking, snowshoeing, and fishing. There’s even a Story Walk for the youngest hikers and eager pups.
The Presumpscot River is a beautiful 48 acre nature preserve that is perfect for a leisurely stroll with your pup. Portland Trails and the City of Portland Land Bank Commission collaborated to save this land and open it up for public use. There’s plenty of wildlife to spot, and the sights and sounds of the river will keep you and your furry friend relaxed and happy.
Spanning over 325 acres of woodlands and teeming with recreational opportunities, what more could a dog dream of. There are trails for hiking, biking, and snowshoeing, you and your pup will be spoiled for choice on what to explore. There is also plenty of beautiful wildlife to spot, as well as picnic spots to stop for a break.
The Eastern Trail is a fantastic resource for you to bring your four legged family member to conquer! This trail is perfect for the outdoor enthusiast and their pup, offering miles of enjoyable hiking. There are also plenty of wildlife, rivers, and streams for them to sniff and explore.
The steep summit trails offer stunning views of Old Speck, as well as 12 of the most challenging miles along the Appalachian Trail. With its rugged terrain, this trail is perfect for your hiker pup. Pack accordingly and test you and your dog’s agility in this Newry wonderland.
This 85-acre preserve is a great spot to take your pup for a nature walk. Home to Jewell Falls (Portland’s only natural waterfall) and the site of the former Cumberland and Oxford Canal, this network of trails is great for a leisurely stroll with plenty of wildlife to sniff out. Soak up the natural and historic beauty within Portland with your pup.
This 62-acre park is filled with plenty of scenery to discover. You can take your pup for a stroll along the stunning “pocket beach’ or let them splash around at the edge of the bay. With its pristine views, this is the perfect spot for a quiet day with your pup.
Cliff Trail is one of the most popular dog friendly trails in Harpswell and is part of a network of trails that span 194 acres. It offers a variety of terrains and sights, from steep summits to old Mill Ponds. A great spot for an invigorating hike!
This dog approved recreational oasis is filled with trails and streams. Towering trees will keep your pup cool and covered and there’s plenty of wildlife to explore. With its peaceful and tranquil setting, this is the perfect spot for a leisurely stroll.
This two and a half mile trail is a great spot for a relaxing hike with your pup. This trail offers varied terrain, scenic overlooks, and plenty of history. Let your dog splash around in the streams and enjoy the sights along this tranquil trail.
]]>Rocky Mountain Terrain Park is Maine’s premier off-road terrain park with over 700 acres of rocky terrain for dirt bikes, ATVs, 4x4 trucks, and more. There is even a 12 and under track for the little ones! In addition to tons of wooded trails, there is a campground, guided trail riding, and even a shooting range. The park is always changing so make sure you come back to see what’s new. And, don’t forget about the mud bogs!
The 14-mile Jay to Farmington Trail is a multi-use hard packed trail that is popular with ATVs and snowmobiles. Dirt bikes can use the trail system during the summer if they are registered as an ATV. Open year-round, except during mud season, the trail offers scenic views of rolling hills and farmlands at the foot of the western mountains.
Hemond’s MX and Off-Road Park is northern New England’s premier motocross and off-road riding facility. With over 400 feet of elevation change and 600 acres of land, the park is home to over 10 miles of off-road trails and two full-size motocross tracks. For over 15 years, this much-loved park has been hosting world-class motocross events attracting riders from all over Maine and the country.
Opened to the public during the summer months, MX 207 is home to numerous NESC, NEMA, NEMX, and MMS sanctioned events throughout the year. The large facility, close to the New Hampshire border, features a long and challenging motocross track with natural hills and fast straights to get any seasoned racers heart pumping. Check out their race schedule online and get practicing for your big race debut.
The Houlton to Phair Junction trail is a gravel multi-use 40-mile trail from Houlton to Phair Junction. Dirt bikes can use the trail during the summer as long as they are registered in the state as an ATV and abide by all the rules. The trail is largely flat as it is built on an old railroad bed making it a great trail for beginners or more timid riders. With plenty of picnic spots and shops along the way, the Houlton to Phair Junction is the perfect day trip. If you’re looking for a longer adventure, you can pick up the northern segment of the Bangor and Aroostook Trail in Mapleton and ride all the way to Presque Isle.
]]>New England Off-Road Outfitters is a full-service 4x4 off-roading specialty store in Westbrook. New England Off-Road Outfitters sells, services, and installs everything out there that is 4x4 or off-roading related. They carry everything from lift kits to tires and rims to mud flaps.
The Moosehead Lakes region of Maine is one of the most beautiful of the state. Nestled amongst the vast pine forests of central Maine, Moosehead Lake is Maine’s largest. The area is also excellent for wildlife spotting and off-roading. At Northwoods Outfitters in Greenville you can rent a 2014 Polaris RZR 570 and hit the trails for a day of moose spotting and mudding. You can also choose a guided tour who can show you the best scenic views, hidden deep woods trails, and miles upon miles of logging trails.
With over four million items in inventory, Central Maine Powersports is Maine’s largest powersports superstore with new and pre-owned off-roading vehicles. Central Maine Powersports sells ATVs and UTVs from Honda, Polaris, and Yamaha. They also carry all the parts, accessories, and apparel you could ever need.
Opened in 1985 by Jim and Marie Bowden, Maine-Ly Action Sports sells UTVs, ATVs, motorbikes, and more. They also have a full-service shop with all the parts to make any repairs you might need. Their retail store is filled with all the accessories and apparel that will make your off-roading experience more comfortable and perhaps a little more fashionable.
Northeast Snowmobile & ATV in Fryeburg (and Gorham, New Hampshire) offers both snowmobile and ATV and UTV rentals in the White Mountains. From their shop’s location, you can connect to 1,000 miles of connected trails throughout Maine and New Hampshire. Choose from self-guided or guided rentals. Each rental includes free maps and helmets.
Open since 1982, Archie’s Off Road & Performance Center sells and installs quality after-market parts, accessories, suspension upgrades, wheels, tires, and more. Don't worry if you don't see what you're looking for in store, they'd be more than happy to order it for you. Archie's qualified technicians will help make your ride look better, sound better, and perform its best.
]]>Cadillac Mountain stands at 1,530 feet and is the highest point along the North Atlantic seaboard. From October through March, it’s the first place in the United States to view the sunrise. Formed millions of years ago by volcanic forces and glaciers, Cadillac Mountain is one of over 20 mountains on Mount Desert Island. The top of Cadillac Mountain is exposed granite and provides an almost 360-degree panoramic views of Bar Harbor, Schoodic Peninsula, and Acadia National Park. You don’t want to miss the sunrise here!
Standing at 5,267 feet, Mount Katahdin is Maine’s highest peak and the northern terminus of the Appalachian Trail. Named by the Penobscot Native Americans, Katahdin means “The Greatest Mountain.” There are several trails that lead up to Pamola and Baxter Peak with the famous Knife Edge trail connecting the two peaks. Due to its height, the peaks of Mount Katahdin are above tree-line and provide stunning panoramic views of Baxter State Park and northern Maine.
Mount Megunticook is the highest peak in Camden Hills State Park standing at 1,385 feet. While Mount Battie might be the most popular hike in the park due to its open ledges overlooking the bay, Mount Megunticook offers great views, too. The mountain’s true summit has no views, but Ocean Lookout and Maiden Cliff offer great views of the sea coast. You can take the Tablelands Trail from the top of Mount Megunticook down to the Mount Battie Trail where you can summit Mount Battie for even more views.
Caribou Mountain, standing at 2,828 feet, is a fun day hike in Evans Notch with stunning views of Maine and New Hampshire. It’s a perfect hike during the fall months when the leaves are at their brightest. The Mud Brook Trail and Caribou Trail creates a nice seven-mile loop that winds through the native forest. The summit is an open rocky ledge providing excellent panoramic views.
Straddling the Bridgton-Denmark town lines, Pleasant Mountain is southern Maine’s tallest mountain at 2,006 feet. Located within an hour drive from the city of Portland, it’s the perfect day hike providing excellent views of western Maine and even Mount Washington if the skies are clear enough. Pleasant Mountain has six trails of varying lengths and difficulties leading to the top with the Ledges Trail as the most popular. If you time it right, you can pick wild Maine blueberries at the top during the summer months. Alternatively, the foliage is great here during the fall months.
]]>Home to the Bradbury Mountain Breaker and Bradbury Bruiser, Bradbury Mountain State Park is one of the most popular trail-running spots in Southern Maine. With miles and miles of trails on both the west and east side of the park, runners have many options depending on the terrain. Bradbury Mountain is only 485-feet tall, but it’s enough to get your heart pumping. Choose from the fast and steep Summit Trail or longer more challenging trails like Boundary and “O” Trail.
Every May, Pineland Farms hosts Maine’s largest trail running event, the Pineland Farms Trail Running Festival. Organized by the Trail Monsters Running Group, the event has a mix of 5K, 10K, 50K, and even a 50-mile race on Pineland Farm’s 30 kilometers of professionally designed and maintained trails. Most of the trails are wide and wind through the rolling hills of the historic farm. After a morning of running, refuel at the market.
Nestled on Maine’s Midcoast, Hidden Valley Nature Center comprises of 1,000 acres of woodland on Little Dyer Pond. With over 25 miles of mixed-used trails, the nature center offers an opportunity for runners to challenge themselves and get close to nature. The Bog Trail is one of the most ecologically diverse and quite beautiful. Most of the terrain is rolling hills so expect a tough workout, but at least you have beautiful surroundings as you sweat.
Founded in 2001 by residents of Grand Lake Stream, the Downeast Lakes Land Trust protects over 370,000 acres of lakeshores, watersheds, forests, and over 180 species of bird. Popular with boaters, fishermen, and hunters, the Land Trust is also a great place to hike and trail run. Many of the lakeshore trails, like the Little Mayberry Cove Trail and Pocumcus Lake Trails, are great for trail running. The terrain can be challenging in areas, but it is quiet and true Maine wilderness.
Mount Agamenticus Conservation Region protects over 10,000 acres in York County, including Mount Agamenticus. The mountain and the surrounding area is popular with mountain bikers, hikers, and trail runners. Once an old ski hill, Mount Agamenticus is home to several miles of mixed-use trails. Many of narrow with challenging terrain while others are wider and faster. Many of the trails, especially around the summit, are quite short, but combine them together and you’ll have a great day of running.
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If you’re into paddling and primitive camping, you’ll want to plan your next adventure here. The 92-mile waterway takes you along a middle-of-nowhere journey that’s nothing short of breathtaking. There are also tons of hiking trails to explore, along with old railroads and trains that make you feel like you’ve traveled back in time.
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The Genesee River and gorge create a beautiful backdrop for camping. In the fall, the bursts of bright orange, red, and yellow along the river gorge make the entire trip worthwhile. With river rafting and more than 66 miles of hiking trails, it’s no surprise this park has been voted the number one attraction in New York State.
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By far one of the most diverse parks in Connecticut, Rocky Neck is simply stunning year-round. The area is teeming with birds and other wildlife, which are best seen from the viewing platforms in the saltwater marsh. Beautiful beaches, saltwater fishing and swimming, camping, and hiking make this the perfect site for families.
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One of Vermont’s most visited parks, Little River is a destination for campers, hikers, and outdoor enthusiasts of all sorts. The site was once an early settlement that later become flooded, and you can still see the remnants of old saw mills, cemeteries, bridges, and other vestiges.
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Home of the historic Turkey Point Lighthouse, this state park remains a family favorite place to stay and play. Most notable are the miles of diverse hiking trails, including a challenging-yet-rewarding three-mile trek to the White Clay Cliffs that overlook the Chesapeake Bay.
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Encompassing over 3,000 acres, the Scarborough Marsh is one of the state’s largest saltwater marshes. The marsh is home to an abundance of waterfowl and wading birds, especially during migration season. You’ll see tons of great blue herons, snowy egrets, and glossy ibises. During the winter months, you can see rough-legged hawks and even a rare snowy oak. The Eastern Trail is a great way to experience the marsh by foot. For a closer view of the birds, rent a canoe at the Maine Audubon Nature Center.
Popham Beach State Park in Phippsburg is a bird lover’s paradise. In the winter months, you’ll see hordes of red-throated loon, scooters, buffleheads, and long-tailed ducks. In the summer, piping plovers and least terns can be seen breeding amongst the beach grass. The nearby salt marsh is home to many great blue herons and snowy egrets. A walk along the beach and nature trails are a great way to watch for shorebirds.
Acadia National Park on Mount Desert Island is a massive national park with several distinct areas to bird watch. Thompson Island is one of the best places in the winter to spot eiders, goldeyes, and other waterfowl. For colorful and cheerful songbirds, visit the Sieur de Monts Spring. The Precipice Trail is the premier spot to peregrine falcons nesting in the area. Acadia National Park has numerous hiking trails to see various bird species as well as the gravel carriage trails near Jordan Pond.
Popular with thousands of hikers, Grafton Notch State Park is more than just pretty mountain tops. Between the granite peaks of Old Speck and Baldpate Mountain, the Bear River winds through the forest where Philadelphia vireos, boreal chickadees, and other songbirds can be heard signing in the bush. Peregrine falcons often nest high above on the cliffs.
Sunkhaze Meadows National Wildlife Refuge in Milford encompasses over 11,000 acres just north of Bangor. Established in 1988, the wildlife refuge is a breeding ground for waterfowl, wading birds, and other species of birds. The Carter Meadow Road is a two-mile loop of hike to an observation platform with views of the entire wetlands below. The many other hiking and walking trails offer a chance to see boreal chickadees, gray jays, and black-backed woodpeckers.
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Bayley’s Camping Resort is one of the best family-friendly campgrounds in southern Maine. Located near Pine Point beach in Scarborough and within an easy driving distance to Aquaboggan, Funtown Splashtown USA, and Maine Indoor Karting, Bayley’s Camping Resort is the perfect destination for any young family. The campground is home to three state-of-the-art playgrounds, a game room and arcade, three heated pools and four hot tubs. Bayley’s even has a free trolley to the beach. The activities calendar is jam packed with activities like scavenger hunts, bingo, and wiffle ball. Your kids won’t get bored here!
Papoose Pond campground is Maine’s best kept secret for family fun. Nestled on the banks of a lake in Maine’s western foothills, Papoose Pond has 180 campsites and 60 cabins, cottages and rental trailers. If you don’t fancy a dip in the lake, there is a heated swimming pool with two shallow ends perfect for young children just learning to swim. There is also an 18-hole mini golf course, volleyball court, playground, and recreation hall. From June through August, Papoose Pond runs a large variety of weekly-supervised activities for all ages. Enjoy everything from games, to arts & crafts, to hiking or canoeing. Your family will definitely have a good time here.
Located on Mount Desert Island near Acadia National Park, Somes Sound View Campground is a peaceful family-friendly campground on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean. Surrounded by beautiful woods and the rocky coast, Somes Sound View Campground has campsites for tents, campers, RVs, and even cabins. There is even a heated in-ground swimming pool if you’re not brave enough to swim in the cold ocean. Hiking and biking trails are nearby and paddleboards are free to use for guests. Somes Sound View Campground is perfect for families looking to explore the best of Acadia National Park and Mount Desert Island.
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Mount Blue State Park Campground is located on the shores of Webb Lake in Maine’s largest state park. The campground has 136 wooded campsites perfect for families looking to get out of the hustle and bustle of the city. During the peak summer months, staff offer weekly canoe trips, nature walks, and hiking. Mount Blue is a popular day hike with numerous other hiking trails nearby. Kids will love the weekly outdoor family movie night and the campground playground is a lot of fun.
Cedar Haven Family Campground is a small, modern and family-friendly campground in Freeport. Just minutes from the ocean and LL Bean, Cedar Haven is the perfect place for a family vacation. All campsites include a fireplace and picnic table. You can upgrade to a site with water, electric, and sewer if you’re traveling with a camper. If you don’t feel like roughing it in a tent with the kids, you can opt for one of their four-person rustic cabins or a full camper. The campground has plenty of fun activities like a game room, pool table and air hockey, as well as a playground.
]]>Bayley’s Camping Resort has been “Southern Maine’s finest by the ocean” since 1970. Located just a few miles from some of Maine’s best beaches, Bayley’s is the perfect place for the whole family. The new Little River Complex is for those aged 18 and over to enjoy a children-free pool, hot tubs, and bar grille during the summer months. For those of you with kids, there are two additional heated pools, lots of playgrounds, and even a game room and arcade. RV sites have dedicated full hook-ups with cable and Wi-Fi.
Located just minutes from Acadia National Park and Bar Harbor, Timberland Acres RV Park has been a family RV park since 1985 when it welcomed its first guests. This 35-acre RV park offers 200 large sites with paved roads for easy pull through. All RV campsites have full hook-ups and can accommodate large RVs. There is free Wi-Fi throughout the park, a recreation building with shuffleboard, arcade, and swimming pool, and a free shuttle bus to the Acadia Gateway Center.
Lake Pemaquid Campground is nestled on the banks of Lake Pemaquid, which is just miles from the Atlantic Ocean. You get the best of both worlds at the Lake Pemaquid Campground. The large campground has over 200 sites plus cabins and cottage rentals. There is a sandy beach for swimming and the lake is great for boating and fishing with rentals available. If swimming in the lake isn’t your cup of tea, then there is a pool and Jacuzzi. Pull-through sites are available with full hook-ups.
Katahdin Shadows Campground is the perfect RV park and campground to discover beautiful Baxter State Park and hike Mount Katahdin. The park has a total of 115 sites with full hook-ups at 42 sites. There is free Wi-Fi, a heated pool, horseshoes, and a game room. Throughout the summer months, the campground hosts fun, family-friendly events like Aloha Weekend, Christmas Weekend, and a Ben Bag Tournament.
Shore Hills Campground & RV Park is a Good Sam member RV park just 3.5 miles from downtown Boothbay Harbor. With a selection of waterfront, wooded, or open sites with full hook-ups, “no rig is too big” for this campground. The roads are paved, there is a dumping station, and there are picnic tables and fire pits in every site. The campground even offers a special shuttle service into town so you can indulge on lobster and clams.
]]>Located just 10 miles from Maine’s capital city of Augusta, the Belgrade Lakes are a series of island-dotted lakes perfect for fishing for the whole family. The lakes are popular for their large stocks of both smallmouth and largemouth bass and brook trout. Large northern pike are also known to make a go at the bait of your hook, too. Maine Wilderness Tours can help you catch your dinner and Day’s Store will supply you with your fishing license and bait needs.
Grand Lake Stream is legendary amongst the fly fishers for landlocked salmon. Fishermen come from near and far to fish this waterway as it is ranked as one of the best in North America. Grand Lake Stream is roughly three miles-long with gin-clear water that flows from West Grand Lake towards the St. Croix River on the border of New Brunswick. Due to the river’s deep pools, salmon can be found throughout the summer months.
Sebago Lake can be fished year-round, but it is one of the best-known lakes in North America during the ice fishing season. Anglers come from all over the country to sit in their huts and await a tug on their line. Maine’s deepest lake is home to a variety of fish, but most notably landlocked salmon and lake trout. Kids can easily catch sunfish and panfish off the docks during the summer months, but you’ll need a boat if you plan to catch dinner. Jordan’s Store in East Sebago is one of the best places around the lake to get bait and tackle.
Situated in Camden Hills State Park, Megunticook Lake is a more than 1,200-acre lake popular with anglers and kayakers. Its water is clear and the lake has tons of small coves, islands, and long open stretches. You’ll find plenty of small mouth and largemouth bass, and white perch. Fishing can be done by motorboat, canoe, kayak, or from shore.
Even if you can’t correctly pronounce the name of this lake, it’s one of the best in the state. In 2013, Bassmaster Magazine named it as Maine’s top bass fishing lake. Known as central Maine’s largest lake, this 5,500-acre lake is stocked with tons of largemouth bass. Its many islands, inlets, coves, and drop-offs make it a great lake for bass tournaments. Other common fish species caught in the lake include northern pike, brown trout, and white perch.
]]>Starting in Eddington and winding up in Bangor, kayakers can enjoy the fall foliage from the Penobscot River as they paddle down river during high tide. The water is mostly flat at this time, so it’s perfect even for beginners. Start your trip in the early evening and you’ll wind up at the Bangor docks right around sunset. If you’d like to do this adventure on the Penobscot River as part of a group, contact Bullfrog Adventures. They’ll provide your kayaks and guide you through your arrival in Bangor. They’ll also transport you back to your vehicle unless you’ve arranged to leave it at the parking lot at the Bangor docks. For a bite to eat at lunch or dinnertime, check out the Sea Dog Brewing Company. Both the food and the beer are excellent.
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Shagg Crag offers an exciting rock climbing experience for beginners through experts. Considered “good, granite climbing,” directions must be followed closely in order the reach the base. Located about an hour over the Maine border from North Conway, New Hampshire, the crag is part of the White Mountains range. After scaling the crag enjoy steaks, Italian food and the best martinis around after a day of hiking at 22 Broad Street. Located less than an hour from the crag, lots of outdoor enthusiasts stop here for a bite to eat. Not far from Bethel, enjoy a good night’s sleep at the historic Kings Hill Inn & Barn. Located in nearby South Paris, the ambiance is conducive to pure relaxation.
This adventure resort offers trailside cabins for camping and ATV trails that start at your cabin door! Ride solo or join one of the resort’s group trips. Want to ride your ATV on trails near the Forks, but not stay and ride in the resort? There are beautiful trails that will take you all the way from the Forks to Moosehead Lake . After your day of adventures, head to the on-site brewery, the Kennebuc River Brewery to be exact. Indulge in the most satisfying brews, or take a growler back to your cabin. Nothing feels better than combating the cold weather rolling in by keeping active all day, and then warming up with a pint of spiced malt beverage.
Trails for hikers of all levels take visitors through some gorgeous fall scenery in Acadia National Park. Choose from coastal trails, trails that wind through the beautiful forest and along lakes, too. Climb the famous 7.1-mile hike along south ridge of Cadillac Mountain. After immersing yourself in Acadia's beauty, stop in for excellent coffee at Trailhead Café. Serving breakfast all day, it’s a perfect spot for a post-hike pick me up. Did you forget your walking poles or your hiking boots en route to the Bar Harbor region? Take a visit Cadillac Mountain Sports in Ellsworth. It’s just a 20-minute drive from Acadia National Park, you’ll pass it on your way to the park.
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The highest mountain in Maine, Mount Katahdin is perfect for climbing in the early fall. Part of the Appalachian Trail, amateurs hike it, but it is recommended that climbers have some experience before taking on this challenge. Be aware of the terrain conditions before heading out as this is a steep and difficult summit. If a cold beer or something stronger is on your mind following your climb, the Blue Ox Saloon is the perfect place to enjoy it. You’ll meet locals and travelers alike bonding over excellent food and drinks. For a nearby comfy place to stay, consider the Young House Bed and Breakfast. The warm atmosphere and cozy rooms are perfect after a day of strenuous activity. Each room has a private bath and the breakfasts are hearty and delicious.
Fishermen have loved fishing for salmon in Grand Lake Stream for decades—maybe even centuries. The salmon return to the region in September and October to spawn, so they’re plentiful. Fishing takes place until October 20. Stay at Leen’s Lodge while fishing in Grand Lake Stream. The steak and lobster dinners are said to be phenomenal, and you can fish from the dock. The owner often takes groups out fishing, so sign up to go along. Crumb’s Café & Bake Shop in nearby Calais is known for their delicious coffee and tantalizing baked goods. It’s a great place for a sandwich at lunchtime, too.
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Bear hunting season goes well into the fall, and avid hunters give it a go on their own. The woods in the Grand Lake Stream region are dense, so unless you’re experienced it’s best to go with a guide. Make sure to check Maine's laws regarding hunting bears! Why leave the forest to find lodging? Instead check out the wonderful cabins at Grand Lake Lodge. There are plenty of options to choose from, and the rate is a flat $50 per person in the cooler months. Dogs can also come aboard at an additional $20, with a two dog maximum limit. You can't find a more picturesque spot to wake up to. Enjoying a cup of joe while watching the consume the lake will give you pure serenity.
Rent a party boat for a sunset cruise on Clifton’s Chemo Pond. Maybe you’d prefer an aluminum boat to skirt the lake with instead. Both are available for rent at Maine Lakeside Boat Rentals in Clifton (Don’t let the “summer rentals” part of the website deter you. Rentals are available in the fall, too.) Of course you’ll need a place to stay if plan on spending time in Clifton, so look into staying in one of several fully-equipped cottages and waterfront homes for rent on Chemo Pond or nearby Beech Hill Pond to see which meets your needs as well as for availability. For a home cooked breakfast lunch or dinner, visit the Eagle’s Nest in Brewer, just a 15-minute drive from Clifton. The diner sits on the Penobscot River. This water's edge diner has a quaint atmosphere and delicious food.
There is always something going on or around the corner at Treworgy Family Orchards. You won't miss a beat any day of the week but check their calendar for specific events going on. Go on a hay ride, get swept away by violin music at a concert, get lost in their four-acre corn maze, feed the animals at the petting zoo, and so much more. Don't forget to check out the Night Maze running at the end of October. If you are easily frightened you'll be enchanted to hear that this has no scare-factor to it. Check the website to find a date and time to go! After spending a good portion of the day admiring the orchard and all its quirks you'll be ready for a nice meal. Stop by 11 Central in Bangor for an excellent experience and delicious meal. 20 minutes out of Levant, this restaurant is a favorite of the locals. Drinks are top notch, but more importantly they have an amazing menu. Opt for their salads, steak, or sea scallops and you won't be disappointed.
Book a campsite for this upcoming September, October or November and you'll be presented with the most spectacular crisp fall weather and beautiful scenery. To keep warm, campfires are encouraged at the designated areas; note that wood must be purchased locally. All campers are invited to take advantage of the park by hiking, fishing, canoeing, birdwatching, and more. There is an abundance of well-maintained trails to hike within the park, available for hikers of all levels. Governor’s Restaurant & Bakery is a small Maine chain of restaurants featuring delicious home cooked food and even better bakery items. Their famous freshly baked desserts deserve the hype. On your way to camping in Aroostook State Park, stop at Ben’s Trading Post where you’ll find everything you need from coolers to tent stakes. You'll also be able to converse with the locals who know the state park like the backs of their hands. They’re always friendly and happy to answer visitor’s questions.
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Bubble Rock is perhaps the most popular boulder on the East Coast—and one of the most frequently-visited spots in Acadia National Park. The rock sits on the eastern edge of South Bubble summit and is a truly stunning sight to see, so bring those cameras! The trail offers moderate hiking, and is just under a mile in length, so it won’t be too strenuous for those little hikers in the family!
This trail is one of the less challenging routes at Camden Hills State Park. At just 1.2 miles in length and categorized as “easy” on the official state park website, this is a great pick for both avid hikers and the little ones, as well. It takes only about an hour to traverse. This trail will lead you to the Tablelands Trail intersection. Once there, you have the option of heading to the summit of Mount Battie, going to Ocean Lookout, or the summit of Mount Megunticook—the highest point in the park.
Deemed Maine’s “Best Overlooked Gem,” by Down East magazine, Saco Heath is truly a natural wonder. The formation of Saco Heath occurred when two ponds filled with peat—a decaying plant. Now, the ponds have morphed together to become a bog. The preserve covers about 1,200 acres of space and offers a woodland trail to a boardwalk. Visit during the spring, and you’ll be in awe of the sprawling expanse of lavender.
Spread across about 100 acres, Mackworth Island is an ideal hike for the whole family. The trail is a little over a mile and only takes an hour to traverse—a great pace and challenge for the kids who may tire easily. Witness seagulls, osprey, and shorebirds all around while you explore. You’ll want to come back here again and again.
The Wonderland Trail is just as whimsical as it sounds. The roundtrip distance of this trail is just 1.4 miles and is classified as “very easy,” on the official national park website. The Wonderland Trail affords magnificent ocean views once you get there. The rocky shoreline is truly a sight to behold, so make sure to bring a camera for the perfect family photo op.
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Hot Spots To Fish: Deservedly, Montauk, NY at the eastern end of Long Island is considered a storied mecca for striped bass fishermen. If you’re not going surf fishing on the beach or fishing from a jetty, Gone Fishing Marina (631-668-3232, gonefishingmarina78.com) can set up a charter trip for you. If it’s booked up, try Star Island Yacht Club (631-668-5052, starislandyc.com) or Montauk Marine Basin (631-668-5900, marinebasin.com).
Find the best fishing spots near you:
Down south, talk to the folks at Captain Hogg’s Charter Service (757-876-1590, captainhoggscharters.com) about fishing around the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel. Overdrawn Charters (252-202-4623, overdrawncharters.com) in Manteo, N.C. can help as well.
Tackle You’ll Need: Stick with 30- to 50-pound braid or monofilament and a 60-pound-test shock leader of fluorocarbon, with saltwater-ready spinning tackle heavy enough to handle 10- to 14-foot rods. Penn, Quantum and Okuma specialize in fairly inexpensive surf-fishing rods, and reels to match. If you have a reel, but no rod yet, the new Black Inshore Rods from Lamiglas are up to the task. The five spinning and five casting models range from a 6-foot, 10-inch light finesse spinning rod to a 7 ½-foot casting rod rated for lures from 3 to 12 ounces in weight.
Quick tip: The most successful anglers are those who spot gulls or other wheeling seabirds feeding on baitfish driven to the top by stripers and who then cast into the melee without dispersing the bass. From a boat, the trick is to approach schools carefully and take advantage of wind or tide to drift to within casting range. The stripers will stay up as long as the baitfish are hemmed against the surface.
Best Lures/Baits: The 4 1/2-inch Acme Kastmater XL spoon, the 1 ½-ounce Odin Popper, and the 5-inch pencil popper from Tsunami are popular artificials up and down the Atlantic seaboard. Other popular options include the 6- or 7-inch Savage Gear Sandeel Swimbait, 9-inch Sassy Shad swimbait and the 6-inch Rapala X-Rap SubWalk.
Find the best bait and tackle shops near you:
For anglers who’d rather soak baits from a boat or in the surf, live or cut bait, such as Atlantic menhaden (peanut bunker), herring, porgies, eels, bloodworms, anchovies and mullet, can flip the switch on chaotic striper blitzes.
Related articles that may interest you:
Fish Here This Fall—5 Reel-Screaming Adventures
How to Choose the Best Times to Fish
Shagg Crag is a popular rock climbing route in Western Maine. It requires an easy 40-minute hike into the rock before you can start your ascend. Shagg Crag is one of the most stacked cliffs in New England. It has steep, juggy, and granite climbing so it’s great for a variety of climbers. With 12, 5.12 routes, you’ll have plenty of options to test your strength and skills. Popular climbing routes include the Shaggin’ Wagon and Meltdown. Most of the routes are bolted for sport climbing, but trad climbing routes are also available.
Acadia National Park is one of the best places in Maine to rock climb. If you’ve never rock climbed before you can sign up for a class with Acadia Mountain Guides Climbing School in Bar Harbor. Some of Acadia’s classic climbing routes like the “Great Chimney” and Otter Cliffs are easy to get to from the road. But other routes, especially on the Precipice, require a bit of a hike. Old Town is a trad climbing route on the South Wall of the Precipice. Another popular route on the South Wall is the 5.10a Chitlin’s Corner.
Thousands of people hike to the top of Maine’s highest mountain every year but few dare to climb her rocky cliffs using just a rope and some climbing gear. Popular with the ice climbers during the winter months, Mount Katahdin has a range of trad climbing routes. The Armadillo consists of six pitches. It’ll take you about three hours to get to the bottom of the Armadillo making this route best for dedicated climbers. The top of the Armadillo meets with Knife Edge Trail so you can just hike back down the mountain after you finish your rock climb. You’ll certainly have many hikers watching you ascend!
Camden Hills has over 140 different rock climbing routes from one end of Camden Hills State Park to the other. Most of the climbing routes are on metamorphosed rock that varies widely in appearance. The climbing routes are a mix of sport and trad routes and some can even be climbed during the winter months. The Glory Hole is a popular 5.8 sport climbing route great for beginners. Voluntary Madness is a challenging 5.12d sport climbing route if you’re looking to test your skills. Other favorites include the Million Muppet March, Exasperator, and Spider.
As one of the largest rock faces in New England it was just a matter of time before the rock climbers made routes on this massive 800-foot-tall, one-mile-wide piece of granite in the middle of Moosehead Lake. Mt. Kineo can only be accessed by boat, but you’ll be glad you did it. The rock has four trad climbing routes and ice climbing routes during the winter months. The most popular routes ascend the Main Face. There is a lot of lose rocks so a helmet is a must for safety reasons.
]]>Opened in 1938 as one of Maine’s original state parks, Sebago Lake State Park is one of the most popular. Located on the shores of Maine’s deepest and second largest lake, the park features 1,400 acres of wooded campsites, ponds, hiking trails, and sandy beaches. While the park offers numerous activities inside for the whole family to enjoy, the nearby towns of Naples and Bridgton offer tons of activities to keep you busy for days.
Sebago Lake State Park is divided into two sides: East and West. The West Side of the park is in Naples and has over seven miles of hiking trails of varying length. The 1.25-mile Lookout Trail is one of the most strenuous trails that rises 499 feet above the park. For an easy stroll amongst the seasonal wildflowers and evergreen forest, take the one-mile Twin Brook Trail.
While not your typical scenic vista, the Songo Lock is the last surviving lock of the former Cumberland and Oxford Canal that moved raw materials from Bridgton and Harrison all the way to Portland. Now on the National Register of Historic Places, the Songo Lock is still in use during the summer months. Pack a picnic and relax by the lock and watch as the rangers let boaters float through.
Sebago Lake State Park has over 250 camping spots for everything from a small two-person tent to a large luxury RV. About half the campsites have full hookups and the other half does not. As one of the most popular state parks in Maine, it’s best to make a reservation. The campground is open during the winter months, too.
The Galley Restaurant & Pub is one of the most highly-rated restaurants in Naples. You’ll find everything from wings and tenders to lobster rolls to mac & cheese. If you’re brave and love a good challenge, try the “Surf and Turf Suicide Challenge.” You must eat seven “Dirty Wings” and seven “Firecracker Shrimp,” which are all covered with the house made “Revenge Sauce.” If you manage to eat all the items under seven minutes, you’ll get your picture on the wall and ultimate bragging rights.
Marked with buoys, Witch Cove Beach offers a large sandy beach and shallow waters for even the youngest swimmers to enjoy. The beach is family-friendly and it’s not uncommon to see kids floating on inner tubes while parents read a book on the beach. If Witch Cove Beach is too crowded, try Naples Beach, which is also in the state park.
Open seasonally from May through September, Steamboat Landing is Maine’s only Maine-themed mini golf course. For three decades, locals and tourists alike have enjoyed holes like the Maine Turnpike, Fort Western, Maine Black Bear, and the Grist Mill. For under $7 you can enjoy an afternoon of fun with the whole family.
Located in the heart of the Naples Causeway, Rick’s Café has been a longtime favorite for over 20 years. Serving up food and stiff drinks, Rick’s Café is a popular watering hole during the summer months. Sit on the top deck and enjoy the views of the lakes. During the weekends, you’ll always find live bands playing all night long.
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