Autumn is a wonderful time to visit Maine. As the temperatures cool and the days shorten, Maine fall foliage moves to the spotlight. Approximately ninety percent of Maine’s land is forested; that means that even though Maine’s called the Pine Tree State, it has its share of vibrant birches, maples, and aspens as well. An October vacation to Maine can be jaw-dropping.

If you’re taking a drive through New England to Maine over the next few weeks, here are some ideas and tips to hit the autumn foliage at its peak.

When should I come?

Foliage times vary from year to year and from region to region. Luckily, you don’t need to visit a region at its exact peak; views are stunning for a week or two around the prime period. Color changes usually begin to happen in the northernmost sections of Aroostook County around the last few days of September or the first week in October, and the change eventually hits the coast around the 15th or 20th of October. (The photo shown above was captured on October 10 in central Maine, the following photo on October 19 in Acadia National Park, and the photo farther down in western Maine on October 21, but again, times vary from year to year.)

Where should I go?

All corners of Maine offer outstanding views of autumn foliage. My personal favorite spot for leaf peeping is the western lakes and mountains.

Start by heading up to Route 2 (Route 27 from Augusta or Route 201 from Waterville are both fairly straightforward from Interstate 95). Make sure to drive a stretch from Farmington west through the River Valley to Rumford and Newry. Many of the mountainside roads through that area are amazing in the fall.

Other ideas for a Maine foliage vacation:

• Visit one of Maine’s many state parks. Many of them are very easy to find and offer spectacular opportunities to enjoy nature in Maine.
• Are you a hiker? The Appalachian Trail crosses some of western Maine’s major roads on its way to Mount Katahdin. (Visit the Maine Appalachian Trail Club for more info. As with any other backcountry hiking, please prepare accordingly.)
• Other great spots for foliage include the wonderful Height of Land lookout near Rangeley, some of the mid-coastal towns like Wiscasset, and the carriage trails of Acadia National Park.

Want to see some more foliage photos? Check out our autumn photo collection. For more information and updates on Maine’s foliage, be sure to visit mainefoliage.com, a wonderful resource from the state of Maine that tracks color change by region. Hope to see you on the road!