Learn the answers to these questions and so much more. The Maine Bureau of Parks & Lands partners with the Maine Forest Service , the Androscoggin Land Trust, the Belgrade Regional Conservation Alliance, and the Sunrise Trail Coalition to provide you with a very unique experience during Maine's most colorful season. Join a Park Ranger and Maine Forester on a guided family-friendly hike, ride or paddle at some of the best locations in Maine to view autumn foliage. To view a fun animated movie, register for e-mailed fall foliage reports, view the reports on-line, and learn how to get a copy of the Forest Trees of Maine Centennial Edition (1908-2008) visit the Maine's Fall Foliage Website.
Guided Tours will be provided at the following State Parks, Public Reserved Lands and on the Down East Sunrise Trail during the fall foliage season: Click here to View the All Locations & Dates Flyer. Flyers with photos for each of the individual sites are listed below.
NOTE: Regular entrance fee's apply.
Peaks-Kenny State Park - October 1-------------------------View Flyer & photos
Located 4.5 miles from Dover-Foxcroft off Route 153.
(401 State Park Rd., Dover-Foxcroft / (207) 564-2003)
Date: Saturday, October 1
Time: 10 a.m.
Skill Level: Easy to Moderate, 3 hours, 2.6 miles
Meeting Location: Beach area parking lot.
Description: A loop hike that meanders through mature forests following the Birch Mountain Ledge Trail to the summit of Birch Mountain. We will explore the autumn color and seasonal changes and view several of the sculpture tables by Wade Kavanaugh. Suitable for families. All ages welcome. Plan approximately three hours for the hike. Bring a snack for the summit. A picnic lunch is suggested for on the beach after the hike. Held rain or shine unless conditions are treacherous.
For more information call: (207) 564-2003
Mount Blue State Park – October 8 -------------------------View Flyer & photos
Located in Western Maine off Route 156 in Weld
(299 Center Hill Road, Weld (207) 585-2261)
Date: Saturday, October 8
Time: 10 a.m.
Skill Level: Easy, 1 hour, ½-mile
Meeting Location: Center Hill Picnic Area parking lot. (2 miles up the Center Hill Rd from the center of Weld.)
Description: This is a short and easy ½-mile hike along the Center Hill nature trail. Several vantage points to take in nature’s fall display. Some time will be spent exploring side trails off the main route. Easily accessible by all ages. This hike will take approximately 1 hour. Held rain or shine unless conditions are treacherous.
For more information call: (207) 525-2261
Kennebec Highlands – October 9 ----------------------------------------View Flyer & photos
Located in Western Maine off Route 27, just west of Belgrade Lakes.
Date: Sunday, October 9
Time: 2 PM
Skill Level: Moderate, 3.5 hours, 4 miles
Meeting Location: Round Top Trailhead - at the corner of Watson Pond Road and Wildflower Estates, 4 miles south of Watson Pond Road’s junction with Route 27.
Description: You’ll experience forest diversity and great views as we wind our way through a variety of hardwood and soft wood trees on the Round Top Trail. An overlook provides views of Long Pond, Belgrade Lakes Village, and Great Pond. The Spur Trail provides spectacular views of the areas lakes and mountains. This hike will take approximately 3.5 hours. Held rain or shine unless conditions are treacherous. This hike is co-sponsored by the Belgrade Regional Conservation Alliance, Maine Forest Service, and Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands.
For more information call: (207) 287-4960
Androscoggin Riverlands State Park - Paddle - October 15 --------------View Flyer & photos
Located in Central Maine just north of Lewiston/Auburn in Turner
(Center Bridge Road, Turner)
Date: Saturday, October 15
Time: 10 a.m.
Skill Level: Experienced paddlers, 4 hours, 8 miles
Meeting Location: Turner Boat Launch off Center Bridge Road in Turner.
Description: This paddle over smooth and easy waters provides great views o f the Turner section of the park and opportunities to photograph the reflected brilliance of fall colors. Our lunch destination is an island in the mouth of the big bay at Bradford Brook, which provides a shallow sandy beach to pull up our boats and stretch our legs. We’ll relax at the naturally-formed amphitheatre to picnic while taking in river and bay views, and a fall foliage talk. Co-sponsored by the Androscoggin Land Trust and the Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands. Co-lead by Judy Marden, Vice President of the Androscoggin Land Trust, and Gary Best, Bureau of Parks and Lands. The return paddle follows the same route ending at the Turner Boat launch. NOTE: Paddlers will need to bring their own boats, life vests, gear, water, lunch and snacks. Held rain or shine unless conditions are treacherous.
For more information call: (207) 624-6080
Bradbury Mountain State Park - October 15 ------------------------View Flyer & photos
Located on Route 9 near Freeport, Maine.
(528 Hallowell Road, Pownal)
Date: Saturday, October 15
Time: 10 a.m.
Skill Level: Easy, 1 hour, ½ mile
Meeting Location: Summit Trailhead by the shelter.
Description: This easy hike provides beautiful views across forested lands all the way to the coast. Bradbury Mountain State Park is a great destination, especially for families with young children. This hike will take approximately one hour. Held rain or shine unless conditions are treacherous.
For more information call: (207) 688-4712
Sebago Lake State Park – October 16 ------------------------------View Flyer & photos
Located just north of Portland off Route 302 in Casco.
(11 Park Access Road, Casco)
Date: Sunday, October 16
Time: 10 a.m.
Skill Level: Easy, 2 hours, 3 miles
Meeting Location: Day-use area boat launch.
Description: This easy 3-mile walk by the river offers pleasing views of a colorful wooded forest and is a great hike for families. We will explore the reasons behind the autumn color and seasonal changes with a Maine Forester and Park Ranger. This Hike will take approximately two hours. Dress appropriately for changing weather conditions. We recommend that you bring cameras, binoculars, snacks, and water.Held rain or shine unless conditions are treacherous.
For more information call: (207) 693-6231
Camden Hills State Park – October 16 ------------------------------ View Flyer & photos
Located in Mid Coast Maine
Date: Sunday, October 16
Time: 1 p.m.
Skill Level: Moderate, 2.5 hours, 2.5 miles
Meeting Location: Large parking lot across from the entrance booth.
Description: The view from the top of Mt. Battie is widely considered one of the most picturesque views along the Atlantic Seaboard. Learn about Maine's forests on this unique 2.5 mile hike to one of the most stunning views on Maine's coast. This hike will take approximately 2.5 hours. NOTE: Hikers should wear sturdy footwear, with enclosed toes, and comfortable clothing, preferably in layers. We recommend you bring Cameras, binoculars, snacks and water. Held rain or shine unless conditions are treacherous.
For more information call: (207) 236-3109
Down East Sunrise Trail - ATV and Bicycle ride - October 22............................View Flyer & photos .......View the Down East Sunrise Trail Map
Located in Down East Maine, from Washington Junction in Hancock to Ayers Junction near Pembroke.
Date: Saturday, October 22
Time: ATVs 9:00 a.m.; Bicyclers 10:00 a.m.
Skill Level: Easy - ATVs = 56 miles, round-trip; Bicycles = 18 miles, round-trip.
Meeting Location:
- ATVs at Washington Junction – Railroad Siding Street Parking Lot at 9:00 a.m. (NE of downtown Ellsworth)
- Bicycles at Franklin-Route 182 Trailhead at 10:00 a.m. (from Rte 1 east of Ellsworth take 182 toward Franklin)
Description: This ride covers one of the most spectacular sections of the Down East Sunrise Trail. The ride highlight is Schoodic Bog and scenic views of Schoodic Mountain. ATVs will start at 9:00 a.m. from Washington Junction and will have passed the Franklin-Route 182 Trailhead by the time the bicyclers get on trail. Each group will spend some time in the area of Schoodic Bog to take in the fall foliage, lunch, and learn about fall colors and trees from our Forester guides. Bicyclers will continue to the Rte 183-Tunk Lake Trailhead before turning around. The ATVs will continue on to Cherryfield before turning around. These rides are co-sponsored by the Sunrise Trail Coalition, Maine Forest Service and Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands.
NOTE: Riders will need to bring their own ATVs or bicycles, helmets, gear, water, lunch and snacks. Held rain or shine unless conditions are treacherous.
For more information call: (207) 287-5266
Shackford Head State Park – October 23 --------------------------------View Flyer & photo
Located in Down-East Maine on Cobscook Bay off Route 190 in Eastport
Date: Sunday, October 23
Time: 10 a.m.
Skill Level: In two parts – 1: Easy; 2: Moderate - Total: 2 hours, 2.5 miles
Meeting Location: Parking area.
Description: This hike will be two-part: the first section will follow the easy 1-mile Shackford Head Overlook Trail, and then, if people choose, the hike will continue on the moderate Schooner Trail to return to the parking area. The completehike will take approximately 2 hours. We recommend that you bring cameras, binoculars, snacks and water. Please dress appropriately for changing weather conditions. Held rain or shine uless conditions are treacherous.
For more information call: (207) 726-4412
Wolfe’s Neck Woods State Park - October 23 -------------------------------------View Flyer & photos
Located 5 miles from downtown Freeport Maine via Bow Street on Casco Bay.
(426 Wolf Neck Rd., Freeport / (207) 865-4465)
Date: Sunday, October 23
Time: 2 p.m.
Skill Level: Easy, wheelchair accessible, 1 hour, ½-mile
Meeting Location: The benches at the second parking lot.
Description: This gentle 1/2 -mile hike will meander the woods and coastline to explore the autumn color and seasonal changes. Stroll through the forest on our accessible path to enjoy the beauty and learn how nature prepares for winter. Suitable for families. All ages welcome. Wheelchair accessible. Plan approximately one hour for the hike. Held rain or shine unless conditions are treacherous.
For more information call: (207) 865-4465.
PLEASE NOTE:
- Hikers - please wear sturdy footwear, with enclosed toes, and comfortable clothing, preferably in layers.
- Riders - must bring their own helmets and ATVs or Bicycles.
- Paddlers - must bring their own flotation vest and boat.
- All Participants -we recommend you bring a camera, binoculars, snack, lunch and water.
Special thanks to Poland Spring Water for donating bottled water for participants of this program.