| Fall foliage scenic drives in Maine are varied and | | | | stop over town in the area if you're intending to do any |
| include coastal drives around Acadia National Park and | | | | of the excursions over multiple days. Like most lodging |
| the rocky coastline of upper Northern Maine to Baxter | | | | in New England during the fall season... book early. |
| State park region, to some of the larger lakes in the | | | | The scenic drive continues along Route 6/15 passing |
| state. Many of the scenic drives emphasize the | | | | Big Squaw Mountain and Ski Area on the left, and |
| rugged wilderness of thick forests and impressive | | | | winding along the Moosehead Lake shore to the village |
| mountain terrain of the Maine backcountry. | | | | of Rockwood. Once at Rockwood you'll see across |
| Maine is one of the most heavily forested states in the | | | | the water the imposing Mount Kineo with its sheer cliff |
| nation, containing over 17 million acres of natural beauty, | | | | face rising over 700 feet from the deepest point in |
| hikes, and magnificent summer scenic drives. One of | | | | Moosehead Lake. |
| the drives is nicknamed "The Lakes and Leaves" and | | | | Stay on Route 6/15 and head west to Jackman. This |
| I've chosen it because it's especially stunning in fall | | | | 30-mile portion of the scenic drive is all about Maine |
| foliage season. | | | | wilderness. You'll find plenty of opportunities to stop |
| The "Lakes and Leaves" route follows a 218-mile loop | | | | and admire the fall foliage views in the hills and on |
| through central west Maine along the lower western | | | | scenic lookouts across the lakes and ponds along the |
| shore of Moosehead Lake, and then runs parallel with | | | | road. |
| the tree-lined banks of the Kennebec River. It's best | | | | Just south of Jackman Route 6/15 will connect with |
| experienced over a few days rather than a one-day | | | | Route 201, and you'll follow Route 201 south towards |
| excursion trip, and lodging reservations are | | | | The Forks along the National Scenic Byway. Jackman |
| recommended during the popular fall foliage season. | | | | is a canoeing center, famous for the 42-mile Moose |
| Let's get you started... | | | | River Bow Trip. The canoe trip takes two or more |
| In the first part of the tour you'll wind your way | | | | days and is a favorite of outdoor enthusiasts. It's one |
| towards the town of Greenville on the southern tip of | | | | of the few remaining wilderness canoe trips in the |
| Moosehead Lake. Begin the tour in the town of | | | | Northeast, and organized tours are run by local |
| Skowhegan by taking Route 150 to Route 151 in | | | | operators. |
| Athens. Follow Route 151 west to Newport where | | | | Continue on Route 201 south to The Forks where the |
| you'll pick up Route 7 to Dover-Foxcroft. Take Route | | | | Kennebec and Dead Rivers meet. The Forks is base |
| 6 to Guilford, and then follow Route 6/15 north to | | | | for popular and awe-inspiring whitewater rafting trips |
| Greenville. | | | | on the two rivers. A few miles west of The Forks is |
| At Greenville stop and relax for a bit. Greenville is a | | | | Moxie Falls, at 90-feet one of the tallest waterfalls in |
| center for those seeking the pastimes of hunting, | | | | New England. |
| fishing, hiking and boating in the area. It's also home to a | | | | The scenic drive continues south on Route 201 to |
| number of attractions in the area. One such attraction | | | | Bingham. This stretch of the road follows the |
| is the 110-foot SS Katahdin, a popular steamship that | | | | Kennebec River through Caratunk, offering magnificent |
| cruises on Moosehead Lake during the summer and | | | | views of the river and surrounding hills, and is one of |
| through fall foliage. It leaves from the center of | | | | the best fall foliage sections on this tour. Stop on |
| Greenville. The views from the ship are dramatic and | | | | occasions and marvel at the way the river has carved |
| worth the extra scheduling preparation. | | | | out such wonderful scenery for us to admire. If you've |
| A 20-mile excursion east of Greenville takes you to | | | | got a camera - use it! |
| beautiful Gulf Hagas. This is a stunning 3-mile-long | | | | Follow Route 201 back to Skowhegan to complete the |
| gorge, with waterfalls, water chutes, deep pools, and | | | | tour. |
| vertical walls 300 feet tall in places. The hike is | | | | Unlike other scenic drives in New England this one's |
| especially scenic during fall foliage. For those spreading | | | | main attraction is the natural rugged beauty of the |
| this scenic drive over multiple days this is a must-do | | | | Maine wilderness, rather than villages and towns or |
| side trip. | | | | other historic monuments. This is a drive to build an |
| The Greenville area also boasts splendid hikes along | | | | outdoor vacation around, but it also makes an ideal fall |
| the close-by Appalachian Trail, and is the preferred | | | | foliage weekend jaunt. |