It's that time of year again! The air is getting colder, the days are getting shorter and the tours are...getting spookier? Yes! In a place with as much history as Maine, it's easy to believe that our state is full of ghosty tales of a sinister past. This time of year it seems nearly every town is offering things like cemetery tours, but this one is extra-special. It include actors telling real tales of the town's past. And let believe us when we say that it's not all quaint buildings and small-town fun!
The sweet town of Yarmouth is a great little spot to visit on your travels through Maine. It's full of some of the coziest local restaurants in the state and, despite it's proximity to Portland, it feels like a sleepy hamlet of a town.
But at this time of year, the best kind of history to explore is the spookier kind! And that's what you'll find on this unique performance walking tour.
This is one part play, one part ghostly history lesson! Participants will have the opportunity to walk with actors from the Royal River Theater while they reenact the lives of some of the most historic townspeople.
While these are fictional stories, each one is based on real facts involving Hillside Cemetery, the Reverend Thomas Green House and the Old Meeting House.
While this isn't intended to be a ghost tour, there's just something creepy about walking around after dark with folks dressed in old-timey clothes. You can almost imagine that they're back from the dead!
Now that warmer weather is here, it’s a good time to hit the road and see seven of the most stunning lakes in Maine. Our breathtakingly beautiful state is riddled with gorgeous lakes everywhere you look and we’ve curated a road trip to take you to some of the best lakes in Maine. Whether you like swimming, boating, fishing, or having a day at the beach, you're sure to find a new favorite lake on this road trip.
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Use our interactive map to follow along and feel free to adjust it to your liking.
We start our journey in the Bar Harbor area in Acadia National Park at a high-altitude lake called The Bowl. It’s accessed by an easy 1.5-mile out-and-back trail. Once you get there, you’ll see clear water that’s perfect for a summer swim. The panoramic views of the surrounding area are simply breathtaking. It’s worth a day trip all by itself.
Our second stop is at the picturesque Swan Lake. It looks like a Bob Ross painting come to life. This 67-acre lake can be found in Swan Lake State Park near Swanville, Maine. This is a great family lake as there is a lifeguard on duty during its open hours and there are picnic areas with grills, a play area, and restrooms. Come have some fun in the sun right here.
As we continue along, we’ll find the charming small town of Camden and nearby is a hidden gem of a lake you’ll adore. Megunticook Lake has a harbor you’d expect to see on a postcard. The lake is dotted with lovely little islands that are fun to paddle a kayak to and explore. The lake spans 1,300 acres and the shores are thickly wooded with various areas like grassy spots to picnic on and sandy beaches where you can swim. This is certainly a bucket list lake.
Let’s head further west to St. George Lake at Lake St. George Park. This underrated 1,017-acre lake is not only beautiful, but it’s an idyllic camping area. The lake’s extremely clean waters and the sounds of loons make it a great place to relax and take in the beauty of it all. When you wander around the lake, you’ll be able to see the bottom of it in most places.
China Lake is a 3,800-acre lake that is a favorite for fishing enthusiasts as it is a fantastic source of perch, bass, trout, sticklebacks, shiners, and other fish. There are two boat docks available and there are several campgrounds around the lake and even a nice sandy beach. This is an ideal summer family destination and you’ll want to come back in the fall when the trees that surround the lake become a tapestry of colors.
If you’re into boating, this is the perfect lake for you. Cobbosseecontee Lake sprawls over 5,543 acres and has a lighthouse named Ladies Delight Light which is the only island lighthouse in the state. If you’d like to go fishing, this lake is known for large and aggressive largemouth bass. Just watch out for snapping turtles! The sunsets here are pretty incredible.
Our last stop is at Sebago Lake, which is massive at 45 square miles and the sandy beaches on its shores look nearly tropical. Since opening in 1938, it has been one of the most popular lakes in Maine for visitors to go swimming and kayaking. You can rent kayaks, canoes, and paddleboards and explore the lake to your heart’s content. The lake is surrounded by several cute little towns and the whole area is a delight.
How many of these seven stunning lakes in Maine have you been to? Do you have any other favorite lakes in Maine? If you’re looking for even more lovely lakes to explore, hit the road once again and check out some of the most beautiful lakes in Maine:
Maine is a paradise for those who love the outdoors. From crashing ocean waves to sky-high mountains, we've got an outdoor activity for just about everyone. But, to be fair, some of what we have to offer isn't for the beginner. Don't fancy yourself an Appalachian Trail hiker anytime soon. That's okay - feel free to ease into things! We recommend starting with some waterfall visits - so take a peek at this Maine waterfalls road trip! Plentiful and impressive, Maine has over 100 significant waterfalls that exist in just about every county from York to Aroostook.
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Because a road trip with more than 100 stops is more of a lifestyle change than a fun jaunt, I've created a Western Maine-focused trip you can complete in about five hours of drive time. This will give you the rest of the day to hike, explore, stop for photos at the side of the road, and (most importantly) replenish the snack supply at one of our local stores. We've even included stops for lunch and dinner at some great local spots.
Check out the Google Map that will tell you exactly where to go. You can even make edits to the route to add in a trip to Aunt Edna's on your way home. Let us know if you enjoy this trip, we'll create some that will take you into other areas of the state as well.
Let's get started on your waterfall road trip in Maine!
There are four cascade sets at Snow Falls, which flows from the Little Androscoggin River. If you're behind schedule and need to move along, fear not! You won't be able to swim here, so this one might be quick.
About 45 minutes from Snow Falls, you'll find Screw Auger. These Bear River-sourced falls are comprised of two impressive drops. The first is a 30' drop over a granite ledge into a gorge. The second is just below the first and features another 30' drop. These are heavily visited in the summer but are beautiful any time of year. No swimming, so don't worry about wet car seats.
A quick 30-minute drive will take you to Dunn Falls, which features two main sections - upper falls and lower falls. Many people feel the lower is the most impressive, but both are worth the fairly strenuous hike it takes to reach them. Plan for about 3 hours if you like stopping along the way. This is one where you can enjoy the water, so add some more time for splashing around.
Head down Andover Road for less than ten minutes, and you'll find yourself at The Cataracts. They are admittedly best in early spring when the snow melts making these falls roar, you'll still have a good time scrambling around the rocks any time of year. Together, the individual falls total about 100' and you'll enjoy swimming and sliding around when it's warm enough. Read more about one of our favorite swimming holes.
About 45 minutes Northeast and visible from Route 17 scenic highway, is Coos Canyon. Coos is a great place to spend the day. In the summer you can wade in the waters, jump in, or stay dry with a picnic in the connected park. Don't avoid it in the winter though - you can easily pull over to take a look if you want to make this one a quick stop. See how easy it is to get a look at Coos Canyon Falls.
Drive 30 minutes north and you'll reach this well-known waterfall. The 90' plunging falls come from Mountain Brook and take about 30 minutes to reach on the (almost) mile-long trail. Leave the trunks at home as swimming is not allowed. This pretty cascade is even better in the winter.
You'll be driving north to get to your next stop, so you might as well take a detour to the Rangeley Lakes area. Stop at The Shed BBQ for a casual lunch - the perfect complement to this laid-back road trip. Try the pulled-pork sliders, which have been called "too good to be true." Or, get crazy and order the ribs. Expect to leave VERY satisfied.
After lunch, continue on to Smalls Falls. Remember, this part of the journey will take you through Rangeley State Park. You'll want to take your time here and enjoy the scenery. Don't be surprised if this portion takes even longer than GPS says it should. Sourced by the Sandy River, Smalls Falls includes four individual cascades and lots of places to swim. Smalls is a classic swimming hole, so if you make the trip in the summer be sure to add in some time for getting in the water.
After an hour's drive from Smalls Falls, you'll arrive in the town of Rumford, home of cleverly named Rumford Falls. These falls were originally called Pennacook Falls and are created from a series of drops within the Androscoggin River. The river drops about 176 feet, but the creation of dams has split the cascades into several distinct falls. The Upper Falls are the most impressive and you'll be extra lucky if you make it there during a time of high water.
During your hour-long drive from Smalls Falls to Rumford Falls, you'll pass through Maine's largest state park, Mt. Blue. Separated by Webb Lake, the area is perfect year-round. In the summer, tackle a hike up the 3,187 foot Mt. Blue. In the winter, enjoy sledding at Center Hill and skating at the park headquarters. You'll find about 25 miles of multi-use trails for just about anything you can imagine doing on a multi-use trail.
Now, grab yourself some Moxie, car snacks, and your favorite fellow adventure lovers and hit the road on this Maine waterfalls road trip! Our next road trip guide will take you up the coast for an all-inclusive visit to Maine's lighthouses. What else would you like to see? Head to the OnlyInMaine Facebook page and let us know. Share some of your favorite waterfalls near you in Maine too!
