Maine Itinerary for Any Season
Ten Days in Maine for Any Season
Start / End
Portland, Maine
States Covered
ME
STATES COVERED
Maine
PARKS COVERED
Acadia National Park, Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument, Reid State Park, Quoddy Head State Park, Baxter State Park, Crescent Beach State Park
SUGGESTED DAYS
10
SUGGESTED SEASON
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
#ThisIsMyRoute
Overview
This Maine route can be enjoyed, with some adjustments, in any season of the year! With this itinerary, we prove that Maine is not just a summer destination (though we don’t blame you for following this route in the sunshine)! While some of the state’s most beloved stops are included, this route is designed to show off the variety the Pine Tree State has to offer. Arrive in Maine prepared for self-directed adventure or hire a Registered Maine Guide for some of the experiences outlined below.
This itinerary was created in partnership with VisitMaine.com.
Ten Days in Maine for Any Season
DAY 1: Explore Portland
Land in Portland and make the most of the setting amongst historic buildings, waterfront views, and shopping while you stretch your legs, no matter the season. The walkability of the city means you’ll get to bop into local stores, sample delicious eats, and get to know Maine’s artistic style at a relaxing post-flight pace. Or, get your bearings at the mellow chugging speed of a specialty cruise around Casco Bay.
Whether your first hours pass on the sidewalks or the water, carry that relaxed vibe right into your evening in a traditional public house or as you mosey along the Maine Beer Trail. Top off the night by making your way out to the Portland Head Light lighthouse for a glowing look at this classic Maine symbol (particularly stunning in the winter).
Settle into your style of lodging, be it a cozy B&B or a modern downtown hotel, and start dreaming about the maple syrup, coastal breezes, and lighthouse views that await.
DAY 2: Reid State Park, Rockland, & St. George Peninsula
Rise and enjoy a hearty breakfast—it shouldn’t be any trouble finding the perfect meal to satisfy your tastes in downtown Portland. Hit the road on the early side so you can reach Reid State Park, about an hour north, for a morning swim, surf, or ski. No matter the season or pastime, this park is a local favorite for outdoor enthusiasts and birds alike.
Grab a bite to eat on your way through Wiscasset en route to Rockland and the St. George Peninsula, where you’ll spend the rest of the day and overnight.
Rockland, Thomaston, and St. George offer up the coastal vibes a Maine holiday promises, be it decorated with sunshine, fall foliage, or frosted lighthouses. As you might have expected, lobster is in season year round here, whether you arrive during the Maine Lobster Festival or not. But you may not have expected to spend time celebrating puffins or biplanes as you make your way through these coastal communities. Spend the night in Rockland surrounded by art.
DAY 3: Acadia National Park
99 miles/159 km, 2.5 hours
Enjoy a leisurely morning in Rockland before making your way another two hours north to Acadia National Park. This bucket-list national treasure is open year-round, meaning you can bike or fat bike the stone bridges and forested paths, hike or snowshoe 164 miles of trails and carriage roads, camp or stay in a gateway community, and birdwatch from shore to subalpine meadow.
Whether camping (which you may be surprised to learn is an option year-round) or curling up in a lakeside cottage, you’ll sleep well after a full day of exploring Maine’s only national park. Consider staying up later than usual to give yourself the chance to enjoy dazzling sparkling skies.
DAY 4: Quoddy Head State Park & Seafood
100 miles/161 km, 2 hours
Maine’s easternmost lighthouse is just two hours down the road, and it’s located in another park. Make your way to Quoddy Head State Park and the West Quoddy Head Light to see just how far east your Maine travels can take you before you head inland.
Quoddy Head State Park is a peaceful park often draped in a romantic fog, where outstanding wildlife watching awaits. The park is open from May 15 to October 15, but visitors may enter on foot year-round. Summer guests may see humpback, minke, and finback whales. All year long, kittiwakes, gannets, plovers, and purple sandpipers call the Quiddy Head peninsula home. Fall and spring see migrating shorebirds, and winter wildlife includes the iconic bald eagle, razorbills, and sea ducks. Follow the one-mile nature trail through the bog to spot unusual arctic and sub-arctic flora, including carnivorous plants!
When you’re feeling carnivorous yourself, it’s time to head into Luboc, the park’s gateway community and the easternmost town in the U.S., for a meal of fresh seafood, an international park shared by the U.S. and Canada, and a sound night’s sleep.
DAY 5 - 6: Fort Fairfield & Bluegrass
175 miles/282 km, 3.3 hours
Before you leave town, grab a cup of coffee and a pastry to nosh while you walk part of the Maine Sculpture Trail.
Your next stop will be Fort Fairfield, your first inland destination on the itinerary. You may be surprised to learn that Maine is the land of potatoes, bluegrass, and motorsports!
Dance in the County Bluegrass Festival all summer long and play golf on a course spanning the US-Canada border. Rev up an ATV or snowmobile to explore the meadows, forests, and hillsides of Aroostook County. Or dive into the history of Fort Fairfield’s namesake and its railroad history.
Spend the night in one of the neighboring towns of Caribou and Presque Isle.
DAY 7 (and 8, optional): Eagle Lake Public Lands
As you find yourself deeper in Aroostook County, slow down and notice how the scenery has changed to Maine’s Highlands. Though no less beautiful than the coastal vistas, the forests, lakes, and night skies are a marked difference from what you’ve seen and maybe what you’ve expected.
Upon your arrival at Eagle Lake (the name of the town and its waters), settle into lake time. In the spring, summer, and fall, toss a line into the lake, and in the winter try your hand at ice fishing. Paddling on Eagle Lake is a beautiful pastime unless it’s frozen, in which case you’ll want to hop on a snowmobile to continue your adventures. Keep your eyes open and your camera ready if you arrive in the fall, as the foliage will be putting on a show. This may also be the area where you’re most likely to spot a moose.
Enjoy your cabin and lake time and make the most of the day here. You may even spend a few days here if you’d like to really settle into lakeside comforts.
DAYS 8 - 9: More Lake Time or Katahdin Woods & Waters National Monument
Rise and shine! The bad news is, you have to hit the road. The good news is, the mountain and lake life isn’t coming to an end. Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument, in all its vastness and natural beauty, awaits. Be prepared for rugged and rustic experiences, and if you’d rather stay at Eagle Lake for some creature comforts, we support that decision!
Over 87,000 acres of woods, rivers, mountains, and ridges beckon in pristine, wild condition. Whether you’re snowmobiling from Aroostook County to Millinocket or following fall foliage through the forests, you’ll find plenty of adventure, Maine style. Plan ahead and prepare with appropriate vehicle choice and driving skills (especially in the winter), food, clothing, camping equipment, maps, and perhaps a Registered Maine Guide. Then go hike, paddle, fish, ski, snowmobile, and wildlife watch to your heart’s delight!
Spend the night camping under the Milky Way or in a nearby lodge.
If roughing it is your style more than lake time, give yourself a bonus day of wilderness instead of an extra day in Eagle Lake.
*Note seasonal routes may change your timing in the winter.
DAYS 9 - 10: Crescent Beach State Park & Portland
After so much discovery and fun, you’re probably tired, maybe ready to spend time sitting still. So make your way to a slightly different style of park today: Crescent Beach State Park. Simply stunning in all seasons, it’s the perfect place to sit and watch the waves, go for a mellow hike, or take a snowshoe stroll while reflecting on all you’ve seen in Maine over this epic 10-day journey.
Portland is just next door, so when you’ve solidified the memories and squeezed the last winter beach stroll, foliage photo, or summer sunshine on your skin out of the day, head into town to toast to it all.
During your final day back in Portland, savor some lobster, potatoes, brews, and views before heading home. The only thing left is to decide is in what season will you return to this route next time?