How to find peak Maine autumn foliage

Maine Autum Maple Foliage. Copyright © 2003 Eric Holsinger

Foliage in Maine is difficult to predict, but usually reaches peak sometime around the last week of September through the first weeks of October. The difference between peak foliage in northern Maine and southern Maine can be weeks. And once the leaves turn, it may last only a few days before they’ve passed.

So how does a visiter to Maine plan a fall foliage tour?

Maine has an official fall foliage website with weekly foliage updates during the season. They even have a hotline you can call, 1-888-MAINE-45. The foliage ratings are determined by forest rangers.

Yankee Magazine has a nice map of New England foliage on their website. You can submit your foliage report to Yankee Magazine as a foliage ambassador.

Where do you go to see spectacular Maine foliage?

A scenic drive is a great way to enjoy foliage in Maine. Cliff Calderwood has written a great fall foliage tour of Maine starting in Skowhegan.

Maine’s only National Park, Acadia, is a great place to visit anytime of year. Why not discover Acadia National Park in the Fall?

A short hike with a great view is another option.

Bradbury Mountain State Park, near Freeport, has a low mountain, but the views south to the coast are unobstructed.

Mount Agamenticus, near Ogunquit, is another low mountain in southern Maine with good coastal views. Agamenticus has an auto road to the top if you want to forego the hiking.

More Information:

• Maine Fall Foliage Website
• Yankee Magazine Live Foliage map
• Fall Foliage Scenic Drive – Lakes and Leaves of Maine
• Discover Acadia National Park in the Fall
• Bradbury Mountain State Park
• Mount Agamenticus

Image used with permission, Copyright Eric Holsinger.