Acadia National Park · Photo courtesy of Sam Mallon, Friends of Acadia · Public domain (US federal government)

Road Trip Guide:
Maine

Explore Maine

A little over half of Maine is unorganized territory, land with no local incorporated government, where the state Legislature serves as the local governing body. The state's Land Use Planning Commission says the unorganized and deorganized areas cover more than 10.4 million acres and include the largest contiguous undeveloped area in the northeast.

Around 25 breweries sit near the stops we cover in Maine. 9 of them are brewpubs with a kitchen, which off the motorway is often the useful part. The kitchen figure is a floor: the source lists some full restaurants as production sites.

Brewpub locations from Open Brewery DB (MIT)

Outdoors

Public land, water and snow — the places that are the reason for the drive.

National parks and federal sites in Maine

7 National Park Service sites in Maine, including 1 designated National Park. We have written guides to only a few of these — the rest are here so you can see what is in the state.

*Check before you go. Entrance fees, seasonal road closures, timed-entry reservations and whether a site suits your family are set by each park and change through the year. Follow the link and check with the park itself.

Park register from the National Park Service (public domain)

State parks in Maine

34 state parks we know of in Maine. We have not visited these and have no guide to them — this is a list of what exists, so you can look one up.

See all 34

Aroostook State Park
Baxter State Park
Birch Point State Park
Bradbury Mountain State Park
Camden Hills State Park
Cobscook Bay State Park
Crescent Beach State Park
Damariscotta Lake State Park
Ferry Beach State Park
Fort Halifax
Fort Point State Park
Grafton Notch State Park
Holbrook Island Sanctuary State Park
Lake St. George State Park
Lamoine State Park
Lily Bay State Park
Moose Point State Park
Mount Blue State Park
Peacock Beach State Park
Peaks-Kenny State Park
Pemaquid Archeological Site
Popham Beach State Park
Quoddy Head State Park
Range Ponds State Park
Rangeley Lake State Park
Reid State Park
Roque Bluffs State Park
Sebago Lake State Park
Shackford Head State Park
Swan Lake State Park
Two Lights State Park
Vaughan Woods State Park
Warren Island State Park
Wolfe's Neck Woods State Park

*Check before you go. Opening hours, entry fees, campsite availability and whether a park suits your family are not in this data and change with the season. Several of these are day-use only. Please confirm with the park before setting out.

State park locations from Wikidata (CC0)

Lakes in Maine

5 lakes in Maine that we have checked. These are the ones from our research that we could check against an official page — not every lake there is. We have not been to these; this is what the official pages say, so you can look one up.

Jordan Pond
near Bar Harbor (Acadia National Park) · 187 acres · natural (glacial tarn)
- Fishingyes - landlocked salmon, lake trout
- BoatingBoats allowed; engines limited to 10 hp
- EntryPark entrance pass required; standard pass $20-$35
Seal Harbor public water supply; pets not allowed in the water
Run by National Park Service (Acadia NP)
Moosehead Lake
near Greenville; Rockwood · 75,451 acres · natural
- Fishingyes - landlocked salmon (stocked), brook trout, lake trout (togue)
- BoatingMotorized allowed; launches at Greenville, Greenville Jct, Rockwood, Lily Bay SP and east shore sites. Motorboats need Maine Lake & River Protection sticker
- CampingLily Bay SP: 91 sites, reservations via CampWithME.com; free first-come primitive shoreline sites on public lands (90+ others, many water-access only)
- EntryLily Bay SP day-use and camping fees
- SeasonFreezes about 5 months/yr; ice-out typically early-mid May; ice fishing
Large lake - sudden wind/waves; cold water. Maine DEP cyanobacteria: maine.gov
Run by Maine Bureau of Parks & Lands (Lily Bay SP; Moosehead Lake Shoreline public lands)
Rangeley Lake
near Rangeley · 6,302 acres · natural
- BoatingBoat launch at Rangeley Lake SP; seaplane landing zone. Motorboats need Maine Lake & River Protection sticker
- Swimmingyes - beach at Rangeley Lake SP
- CampingRangeley Lake SP: about 49 sites (all water & electric), reservable and non-reservable; CampWithME.com
- EntryState park fees
Cold water. Maine DEP cyanobacteria: maine.gov
Run by Maine Bureau of Parks & Lands (Rangeley Lake SP)
Sebago Lake
near Naples; Casco; Raymond; Standish; Windham · 30,513 acres · natural
- Fishingyes - landlocked salmon, lake trout, brook & brown trout, largemouth bass, northern pike (illegally introduced - state asks anglers to kill/report)
- BoatingMotorized allowed; 2 launches at Sebago Lake SP. Motorboats need Maine Lake & River Protection sticker
- Swimmingyes - Sebago Lake SP natural sand beach
- CampingSebago Lake SP: 250-site campground; CampWithME.com
- EntryState park fees
- SeasonIce fishing popular (Jordan Bay derbies)
Drinking water supply for Greater Portland. Maine DEP cyanobacteria: maine.gov
Run by Portland Water District (water supply); Maine Bureau of Parks & Lands (Sebago Lake SP)
Umbagog Lake
near Errol NH; Upton ME · 7,850 acres · dam-raised natural lake
- Fishingyes - lake and surrounding rivers
- BoatingState launch at south end (Rt 26); more on Androscoggin and Magalloway rivers; paddling welcome
- Rentals & marinaCanoe and kayak rentals; fuel sales and store at the park
- SwimmingBeach area for swimming
- CampingBase campground plus 33 boat-access remote campsites and 4 remote cabins
- EntryDay use $4 adults, $2 ages 6-11, free under 6; camping rate varies by site
- SeasonPark always open for recreation unless posted; off-season unstaffed
Off-season: park typically unstaffed, no comfort stations, gates may be closed. NHDES cyanobacteria info: des.nh.gov ; Maine DEP cyanobacteria: maine.gov
Run by Umbagog National Wildlife Refuge (USFWS); NH State Parks (Umbagog Lake SP)

*Check before you go. Every lake here links to the official page we checked it against. Each state a price we read off that page on the date we checked. Fees, seasons, water levels, algal advisories and ramp closures change without notice and belong to the agency that runs the water. A blank is something we did not confirm, not something the lake lacks. Never assume a lifeguard. Whether a beach is staffed turns on the season, the day, and which agency runs that particular beach — two beaches on one lake can differ. If that matters to your family, confirm it with the agency before you set out.

Skiing and Snowboarding

11 in this state.

Lost ValleyAuburn
Small hill near Lewiston-Auburn; night skiing
Pleasant MountainBridgton
Formerly Shawnee Peak; night skiing near Portland
Camden Snow BowlCamden
Town-owned hill with ocean views; toboggan chute
SugarloafSummer bike parkCarrabassett Valley
Above-treeline snowfields; ski-in/ski-out village
Titcomb MountainFarmington
Nonprofit hill; strong local racing program
Mt. AbramSummer bike parkGreenwood
Family mountain near Bethel with lodging nearby
Hermon MountainHermon
Small hill close to Bangor
Bigrock MountainMars Hill
Northern Maine community hill; wind turbines on ridge
Sunday River — we could not confirm the summer bike parkNewry
Eight connected peaks; big snowmaking; near Bethel
* no current source confirms a summer bike park here. Check their site before you plan around it.
Saddleback MaineSummer bike parkRangeley
Revived big mountain overlooking Rangeley Lakes

See the other 1

Black Mountain of MaineRumford
Nonprofit community mountain with affordable tickets

This is a list of what is there, not a recommendation of any of it. One entry is marked with an asterisk: no current source confirms the summer bike park, and the note under it says so. We do not list rentals: our source marked every ski area in the country “likely” to have them and confirmed none, so there was nothing to publish. Most hills do rent gear — ring ahead rather than take that from us. Opening dates, lift schedules and trail conditions move every year and we hold none of them, so check before you build a day around it. Every name above links to the operator’s own site.

Lift-Served Bike Parks

3 in this state.

SugarloafAlso a ski resortLift-servedCarrabassett Valley
Growing lift-served park at a big Maine resort
Mt. AbramAlso a ski resortLift-servedGreenwood
Laid-back Maine park with flow trails
Saddleback MountainAlso a ski resortLift-servedRangeley
Newer western Maine downhill park

This is a list of what is there, not a recommendation of any of it. Opening dates, lift schedules and trail conditions move every year and we hold none of them, so check before you build a day around it. Every name above links to the operator’s own site.

Long Bike Trails

2 in this state.

Acadia Carriage Roads
Length
45 miles
Surface
Crushed stone
End to end
Loop network near Bar Harbor ME
Car-free broken-stone roads with granite bridges
Eastern Trail
Length
65 miles
Surface
Mixed
End to end
Kittery ME – South Portland ME
Salt marshes of southern Maine; some on-road gaps

Days out with the family

Gated attractions with a front door, a ticket and a car park.

Zoos, Aquariums and Wildlife Parks

6 across Maine, by town.

Oceanarium and Education Center (Mount Desert Oceanarium) — some details below are unconfirmedBar Harbor
Hours
9am-4pm Wed-Sun
Season
seasonal (May - Nov)
Gulf of Maine aquarium, exhibits and salt marsh trails; 1351 State Hwy 3
* We could not confirm: admission not captured. Check their site before you go.
Maine Wildlife ParkGray
Hours
9:30am; gate closes 4:30pm (Apr 15-Oct 14) or 3:30pm (Oct 15-Nov 11)
Season
seasonal (mid-April - Nov 11)
Admission
Adult from $15 (11-64) · Child $10 (2-10); under 2 free
Reservations
Not required
State-run (Maine Dept. of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife); native wildlife
DEW Haven — some details below are unconfirmedMount Vernon
Season
seasonal (opens May 9; closing date not stated)
918 Pond Road
* We could not confirm: hours/admission not captured. Check their site before you go.
Kisma Preserve — some details below are unconfirmedTrenton
Hours
daily from mid-May to late fall (times not stated)
Season
seasonal (mid-May - late fall, weather permitting)
Reservations
Required (tours by phone)
Exotic animal preserve visited by tour
* We could not confirm: hours/admission not captured. Check their site before you go.
Maine State AquariumWest Boothbay Harbor
Season
seasonal (closed for season; reopens 2027; typically summer)
Admission
Adult $10 · Child $7 (3-12); under 3 free
Parking
free (very limited)
State-run by Maine Dept. of Marine Resources
York's Wild Kingdom — some details below are unconfirmedYork Beach
Hours
10am-5pm (in season)
Season
seasonal (closed for season; reopens May 29, 2027)
Zoo plus amusement rides
* We could not confirm: admission not captured. Check their site before you go.

This is a list of what is near you, not a recommendation of any of it. None of these carry an accreditation we were able to confirm, which is not the same as none being accredited — we check against one register, and plenty of good municipal, state and university places are in no register at all. 4 entries are marked with an asterisk: we could not confirm part of what is listed, and the note under it says which part. Opening times, prices and seasons change without notice, so check the operator’s own site — every name above links to it.

Water Parks and Amusement Parks

4 across Maine, by town.

Palace PlaylandSeasonalamusement parkOld Orchard Beach
Beachfront seasonal park; summer season.
Aquaboggan ParkSeasonalwater parkSaco
Summer-only water park; site references the 2026 season.
Funtown Splashtown USASeasonalamusement park and water parkSaco
Site says closed for the 2026 season and sells 2027 passes.
York's Wild KingdomSeasonalamusement parkYork
Zoo and amusement park; site says closed for the season beginning Sept 26.

This is a list of what is near you, not a recommendation of any of it. Every one of these runs a season rather than opening year round. Opening and closing dates move every year and we hold none of them, so check the park’s own calendar before you build a day around it. Prices, hours and ride closures change without notice — every name above links to the park’s own site.

Distilleries in Maine

1 producer in Maine that we have checked. These are the ones from our research we could check against their own site — not every producer there is. We have not been to these; this is what their own sites say, so you can look one up.

New England Distilling
distillery · Portland, ME
Portland distillery with roots in six generations of rye whiskey distilling.
- HoursRetail & tastings Mon-Fri 1-4pm
- Toursyes - call to schedule
- Phone207.878.9759
26 Evergreen Dr., Portland, ME 04103

*Check before you go. Every producer here links to its own site, which is where we read these details on the date we checked. Opening hours, tour times, tasting fees and who may come in change without notice and belong to the producer. A blank is something we did not confirm, not something they lack. None of these say anything about children, so do not plan around it without asking them.

Roadside oddities in Maine

International Cryptozoology MuseumQuirky museumBangor
Cost to see it
Costs something — we did not find the price published
When you can see it
Only while it is open, and we did not find its hours published
Nearest road
I-95
Bigfoot, Nessie and other cryptid exhibits
Read on the page we checked
Perry's Nut HouseQuirky museumBelfast
Cost to see it
Free
When you can see it
Only while it is open, and we did not find its hours published
Nearest road
US-1
Nut shop with taxidermy and oddities
Read on the page we checked
Desert of MaineNatural oddityFreeport
Cost to see it
Costs something — we did not find the price published
When you can see it
Seasonal — not open all year
Nearest road
I-295
20-acre sand 'desert' in Maine woods
- Open seasonally, not all year
Read on the page we checked
Penobscot Narrows ObservatoryOdd building / architectureProspect
Cost to see it
Costs something — we did not find the price published
When you can see it
Seasonal — not open all year
Nearest road
US-1
Bridge tower with an observatory
- Open seasonally, not all year
Read on the page we checked
EarthaGiant statue / World's largestYarmouth
Cost to see it
Free
When you can see it
Only while it is open, and we did not find its hours published
Nearest road
I-295
Giant rotating globe over 41 feet across
Read on the page we checked

These are things you can go and look at, not a recommendation of any of them. Oddities move, get sold and quietly disappear more than anything else we list, so check anything you are driving a long way for. Where this list says we did not find a price or opening times published, that is exactly what we mean. A blank is not “free” and not “always open”. Some sit on private land and can only be seen from the road — please do not go onto anyone’s property. Every entry links the page we read it off.

Venues and Annual Events

15 across Maine, by town.

Where to see something

Stone Mountain Arts CenterclubBrownfield
Address
695 Dugway Road, Brownfield, ME 04010
Phone
207-935-7292
Barn-style concert hall in western Maine.

What is on, and when

Bangor State FairfairBangor
Usually
Late July–early August, over several days
Held at
Bass Park
Blue Hill FairfairBlue Hill
Usually
Labor Day weekend, over several days
Held at
Blue Hill Fairgrounds
Cumberland FairfairCumberland Center
Usually
Late September–early October, over several days
Held at
Cumberland Fairgrounds
Piscataquis Valley FairfairDover-Foxcroft
Usually
Late August, over several days
Held at
Piscataquis Valley Fairgrounds
Farmington FairfairFarmington
Usually
Late September, over several days
Held at
Farmington Fairgrounds
Fryeburg FairfairFryeburg
Usually
October, over several days
Held at
Fryeburg Fairgrounds
Since
1851

See the other 8

Oxford County FairfairOxford
Usually
Mid September, over several days
Held at
Oxford County Fairgrounds
Northern Maine FairfairPresque Isle
Usually
Early August, over several days
Held at
Northern Maine Fairgrounds
Skowhegan State FairfairSkowhegan
Usually
Mid August, over several days
Held at
Skowhegan Fairgrounds
Ossipee Valley FairfairSouth Hiram
Usually
Mid July, over several days
Held at
Ossipee Valley Fairgrounds
Topsham FairfairTopsham
Usually
Mid August, over several days
Held at
Topsham Fairgrounds
Union FairfairUnion
Usually
Early August, over several days
Held at
Union Fairgrounds
Common Ground Country FairfairUnity
Usually
September, over several days
Held at
Common Ground Education Center
Since
1977
Windsor FairfairWindsor
Usually
Late August–Labor Day, over several days
Held at
Windsor Fairgrounds

This is a list of what is near you, not a recommendation of any of it. Events are listed by the month they usually fall in, because that is what we hold — we do not publish dates, and a month is not a promise. Check the organiser before you plan around one. Opening times, line-ups and ticketing change without notice, so check the venue’s or organiser’s own site — every name above links to it.

On the road

Before you set off.

Scenic roads through Maine

Federally designated scenic byways and All-American Roads, with the places we publish along each one in the order you meet them.

Acadia All-American RoadMaine · 4 places we publish Schoodic Scenic BywayMaine · 4 places we publish Rangeley Lakes Scenic BywayMaine · 1 place we publish

What to wear in Maine

Illustrated outfit board for Maine: four seasonal panels of clothing with average temperatures.

Spring 50°/29°F (10°/-2°C)

Spring is cool, with rain, snowmelt, and muddy stops.

Wear: Start with a long-sleeve tee, stretch pants, and a fleece or sweater. Add a rain shell when the wind or showers pick up.
Shoes: Water-resistant walking shoes with grip; boots for muddy stops.
Pack: fleece or sweater
rain shell
light beanie
spare dry socks

Summer 75°/53°F (24°/12°C)

Summer can bring warm inland afternoons and cool coastal conditions.

Wear: Wear a tee with lightweight pants or shorts, then carry a fleece and wind-resistant shell. Keep the warm layer handy even on sunny days.
Shoes: Walking sneakers for town; trail shoes for rougher stops.
Pack: fleece
wind and rain shell
sun hat
sunglasses
spare socks

Fall 55°/36°F (13°/2°C)

Fall turns chilly, particularly inland and farther north.

Wear: Build around a long-sleeve tee, comfortable pants, and a sweater or fleece. Add a wind-resistant jacket for breezy overlooks.
Shoes: Walking shoes with grip; water-resistant boots for wet or muddy routes.
Pack: sweater or fleece
wind and rain shell
beanie
light gloves
spare socks

Winter 28°/9°F (-2°/-13°C)

Winter is cold, especially in northern and interior areas.

Wear: Use thermal top and bottoms, an insulating fleece or sweater, and a wind-resistant insulated parka. Add insulated pants for extended outdoor stops.
Shoes: Waterproof insulated winter boots with wool or synthetic socks.
Pack: thermal base layers
insulated parka
insulated pants
beanie
mittens
neck gaiter
dry spare socks

Adjust for your route. Bring a wind-resistant shell for ocean stops and extra insulation for northern winter travel. Southern summer heat can still call for shorts.

Climate background: NOAA State Climate Summary

See what to wear in every state →

Keep exploring

See It in the Book

Explore Maine

Locations in Maine

Augusta

Bar Harbor (Acadia)

Freeport

Portland

Acadia National Park

National parks and federal sites in Maine

State parks in Maine

Lakes in Maine

Skiing and Snowboarding

Lost ValleyAuburn

Pleasant MountainBridgton

Camden Snow BowlCamden

SugarloafSummer bike parkCarrabassett Valley

Titcomb MountainFarmington

Mt. AbramSummer bike parkGreenwood

Hermon MountainHermon

Bigrock MountainMars Hill

Sunday River* — we could not confirm the summer bike parkNewry

Saddleback MaineSummer bike parkRangeley

Black Mountain of MaineRumford

Lift-Served Bike Parks

SugarloafAlso a ski resortLift-servedCarrabassett Valley

Mt. AbramAlso a ski resortLift-servedGreenwood

Saddleback MountainAlso a ski resortLift-servedRangeley

Long Bike Trails

Zoos, Aquariums and Wildlife Parks

Oceanarium and Education Center (Mount Desert Oceanarium)* — some details below are unconfirmedBar Harbor

Maine Wildlife ParkGray

DEW Haven* — some details below are unconfirmedMount Vernon

Kisma Preserve* — some details below are unconfirmedTrenton

Maine State AquariumWest Boothbay Harbor

York's Wild Kingdom* — some details below are unconfirmedYork Beach

Water Parks and Amusement Parks

Palace PlaylandSeasonalamusement parkOld Orchard Beach

Aquaboggan ParkSeasonalwater parkSaco

Funtown Splashtown USASeasonalamusement park and water parkSaco

York's Wild KingdomSeasonalamusement parkYork

Distilleries in Maine

Roadside oddities in Maine

International Cryptozoology MuseumQuirky museumBangor

Perry's Nut HouseQuirky museumBelfast

Desert of MaineNatural oddityFreeport

Penobscot Narrows ObservatoryOdd building / architectureProspect

EarthaGiant statue / World's largestYarmouth

Venues and Annual Events

Where to see something

Stone Mountain Arts CenterclubBrownfield

What is on, and when

Bangor State FairfairBangor

Blue Hill FairfairBlue Hill

Cumberland FairfairCumberland Center

Piscataquis Valley FairfairDover-Foxcroft

Farmington FairfairFarmington

Fryeburg FairfairFryeburg

Oxford County FairfairOxford

Northern Maine FairfairPresque Isle

Skowhegan State FairfairSkowhegan

Ossipee Valley FairfairSouth Hiram

Topsham FairfairTopsham

Union FairfairUnion

Common Ground Country FairfairUnity

Windsor FairfairWindsor

Scenic roads through Maine

What to wear in Maine

Spring 50°/29°F (10°/-2°C)

Summer 75°/53°F (24°/12°C)

Fall 55°/36°F (13°/2°C)

Winter 28°/9°F (-2°/-13°C)

Keep exploring

Sunday River — we could not confirm the summer bike parkNewry

Oceanarium and Education Center (Mount Desert Oceanarium) — some details below are unconfirmedBar Harbor

DEW Haven — some details below are unconfirmedMount Vernon

Kisma Preserve — some details below are unconfirmedTrenton

York's Wild Kingdom — some details below are unconfirmedYork Beach