Maine is undeniably beautiful at any time of year, but we're a bit more partial to the fall. Maybe it's because we've had a nice long exit from summer into fall and we've had some time to appreciate the leaves turning the glorious reds, yellows, and orange that dot the landscape each October. When the leaves are showing us their colors, it's time to take a fall foliage road trip in Maine and see some of the best examples of the best fall foliage in Maine.
This adventure is full of the best things to do in the fall in Maine. Follow this route for the exact map and directions and we promise you'll see some beautiful scenery, mixed with a stop or two for meals and attractions. Once you've done the trip, show us a photo of your favorite fall colors over on our Facebook page!
Ready to see fall colors in Maine? Gas up the tank and venture on this wonderful road trip.
1. You'll start your trip in Skowhegan...
This gorgeous road trip begins in the town of Skowhegan, which is a Native American name meaning "A Place to Watch." They must have been thinking of fall leaves when naming the town, because this rural Maine place is the ideal spot to begin your trip to watch the trees change their colors.
2. Before heading off, stop in at Alice's Restaurant for breakfast.
Alice's Restaurant is a classic Mom and Pop diner. Great for eggs, pancakes or just about anything else you'd need to fuel you through the day. It's a real old-fashioned place and they don't even have an internet presence, but it's great!Address: 101 North Avenue, Skowhegan, ME 04976.
3. Route 150 is how you'll really begin this beautiful route.
The road will take you through some lovely small towns, including Athens.
4. From Athens, you'll hop onto Route 151 heading east.
This portion of the trip will take you east and into the small town of Hartland, on the Sebasticook River.
The river flows through the Great Moose Lake. This place really glistens with color during peak fall foliage.
5. While you're in the area, head to Morrill Pond, on the Morrill Pond Road, for more small-town vibes.
Spend some time exploring the area for some lovely foliage before heading north into the beloved Maine woods.
6. Next head to Sebasticook Lake and the town of Newport.
The lake in Newport is home to one of the oldest fishing weirs in the country. This series of stakes was used by ancient fishermen to herd fish into one specific section for easy capture. The fishing weirs were found in 1992 and are about 5,800 years old! The lake is a beautiful place to spend some time taking in the fall foliage.
7. From here, take Route 7 towards Peaks Kenny State Park.
You'll pass through Dexter and Dover-Foxcroft. The lake is a great place for a crisp late-morning picnic on Sebec Lake.
8. Next up is Route 6, where you'll head east into Guilford.
There's nothing better than watching the leaves changing color in Maine, and Guilford definitely delivers.
9. Make sure to visit Lowe's Covered Bridge, which was built in 1857.
It was demolished by the flood of April 1987, but a modern covered bridge, modeled after the original, was built in its place in 1990.
10. Next up is Greenville.
Head north on Route 6/15 towards the home of Moosehead Lake, as well as Wilson Pond (where this photo was taken) and take in the rainbow of colors. The Moosehead area might just mean a moose sighting as well. Check for a local moose safari!
11. Don't forget lunch at The Stress Free Moose Cafe!
The lovely atmosphere at this local spot will fill up your heart and THEN your stomach. Order just about anything to fuel your way back toward your starting point.
Check out the Stress Free Moose Cafe.
12. From the Moosehead region, continue to head north on Route 6/15 to Jackman.
Jackman is located on the Old Canada Road Scenic Byway (which is coming up next!) and can be reached just before the Canadian border. You might be more familiar with Jackman if you love winter activities, but you might love it even more in the fall after this trip!
13. From Jackman, you'll finally be on one of the most lovely roads in Maine - Route 201 which is an Old Canada Road-National Scenic Byway.
Heading South here will take you to The Forks, and the Kennebec River. The trees along the shore should be a shining example of Maine's fall foliage and they're absolutely worth of a full stop for some photos.
14. While in Forks, make sure you take in the glorious Moxie Falls.
Here, you should plan on parking to take the 2-mile walk to see the falls up close. It's a great and easy trail!
15. Continuing South on Route 201 towards Bingham will reveal more fall colors.
The route is a fairly recent addition to the list of National Scenic Highways and provides views of the Kennebec River and area mountains.
16. Now, you'll head back into Skowhegan via Route 201 and finish up at one of Maine's stranger attractions - The Giant Skowhegan Indian.
Erected in 1969 in honor of Maine's 150th anniversary and dedicated to the Abenaki Indians who inhabited the land, Skowhegan's Indian measures a whopping 62 feet tall - and that's not including the 20-foot base.
Nothing is quite as beautiful as Maine in the fall. Are you ready now to take a fall foliage road trip in Maine? Let us know what your favorite places are to see fall colors in Maine in the comments below. Don't forget to bring along some of the best road trip snacks for your fall journey!
Looking for other fun Maine road trips? Check out this spooky road trip that will take you through some of Maine's most haunted places.
Subscribe to our newsletter
Get the latest updates and news
Thank you for subscribing!
