Rasika DalviHappy Thanksgiving, everyone!
While many travelers flock to Vermont and New Hampshire for fall foliage, Maine remains one of New England’s quieter autumn gems. Fewer crowds, peaceful scenic drives, and endless stretches of untouched wilderness make it the perfect destination for anyone who loves nature.
After experiencing Maine’s breathtaking fall colors last year, we couldn’t resist returning this autumn. We arrived about a week after the peak foliage in October 2019, so the vibrant reds and oranges weren’t quite as spectacular this time around. But that didn’t diminish the magic of the trip; not even a little. Instead of chasing perfect leaf colors, we embraced everything else Maine had to offer: waking up to a beautiful lakeside view, gazing at a sky filled with stars, relaxing around a crackling bonfire, and even having a heart-pounding encounter with a moose that we’ll never forget.
Ready for an adventure that goes beyond fall colors? Let’s begin the journey!
Misty Cottages, Rockwood
The moment we arrived at Misty Cottages, we knew we had found something special. Nestled on the shores of the breathtaking Moosehead Lake, these charming rustic cabins offer the perfect blend of comfort, tranquility, and natural beauty. The best part? We could admire the iconic Mount Kineo without even leaving the couch.
Our stay was filled with simple moments that turned into unforgettable memories – watching the sun rise over the lake, stargazing beside a crackling bonfire on a crisp autumn night, and sipping hot cocoa while wrapped in blankets by the lakeshore. Surrounded by peaceful wilderness and the stunning views of Moosehead Lake, every moment felt magical. It was the kind of place where time slowed down, allowing us to truly appreciate the beauty of nature.
Old Canada Road (Route 201)
If you enjoy scenic drives, the Old Canada Road National Scenic Byway (Route 201) is one you won’t want to miss. Winding through rolling hills, mountain vistas, sparkling rivers, and countless scenic overlooks, this route is made for slow, leisurely road trips.
Stretching 78 miles from Solon, about 15 miles north of Skowhegan, to the Canadian border at Jackman, the byway follows the historic Route 201 through some of Maine’s most spectacular wilderness. Much of the journey runs alongside the beautiful Kennebec River before reaching The Forks, a popular destination for whitewater rafting. From there, the road gradually climbs into the remote Moose River Valley, where breathtaking forests and mountain scenery surround you at every turn. The drive itself is the attraction. As Route 201 winds alongside the Kennebec River, every bend reveals another postcard-worthy view, making it one of Maine’s most beautiful and underrated scenic highways.
Suggested Stops Along the Old Canada Road:
The Old Canada Road National Scenic Byway begins where Route 151 meets U.S. Route 201, just north of Lakewood, and stretches all the way to the Canadian border. Along the way, you’ll find several scenic stops that are well worth pulling over for.
Wyman Lake
One of the first highlights along the route is Wyman Lake in Moscow, Maine. This 13-mile-long reservoir was created in 1929 when Central Maine Power dammed the Kennebec River between Pleasant Ridge Plantation and Moscow. The lake was named after Walter Scott Wyman, who served as the company’s president at the time.
Surrounded by gently rolling hills and forested ridges, Wyman Lake is a peaceful place to pause and soak in the scenery. On calm days, the surrounding hills are beautifully reflected in the crystal-clear water, creating postcard-perfect views. The quiet atmosphere and timeless landscape make it an ideal spot to relax, enjoy nature, and appreciate the unspoiled beauty of Maine.
Moxie Falls:
With a spectacular near 100-ft. drop Moxie Falls is Maine’s highest and most easily accessible waterfall. It can be found only a couple of miles up from the Forks. The reward of this beautiful hike is Maine’s most picturesque waterfall, a great way to end leaf-peeping in the fall. There is a little bit of up and down, but nothing steep and none of it is long. The steepest part is the end, as you descend quite a few stairs to get to the viewing areas. The main trail goes straight through and descends toward the falls. As you continue, you will reach wooden steps and walkways that wind along next to the stream. The falls will be heard before they are seen. At the head of the falls, there’s a boardwalk off to the left that leads to two viewing platforms.
There are two excellent viewpoints. The first is the multilevel falls and it was incredibly beautiful with the foliage and the sound of flowing water! The second viewpoint has a couple of decks over the big drop. The water rushes here and it is impressive.
Jackman: A Gateway to Endless Adventure
Have you ever stumbled upon a small town that instantly made you want to slow down and stay a little longer? That’s exactly the feeling we had in Jackman. With its rustic charm, friendly atmosphere, and beautiful wilderness, this little town feels like a hidden gem tucked away in the heart of Maine.
Located along the Old Canada Road National Scenic Byway, just a few miles from the U.S.–Canada border, Jackman has earned the nickname “The Switzerland of Maine” and is widely known as a Sportsman’s Paradise. Surrounded by pristine lakes, dense forests, and rugged mountains, it’s a year-round destination for outdoor enthusiasts.
Whether you’re hiking scenic trails, riding an ATV through the backcountry, snowmobiling across miles of groomed routes, casting a line in one of the region’s many lakes and rivers, or simply enjoying a peaceful boat ride, adventure is never far away. In Jackman, every season brings a new reason to explore, making it the perfect stop for anyone who loves the great outdoors.
As you head into Jackman, be sure to make a stop at the Attean View Rest Area, just south of town. It is a great place to stop and stretch your legs and take a peek at the finest view of Attean Lake and the network of ponds connected by the Moose River, with the western mountains as the backdrop. It is an unforgettable prelude to some of the most beautiful scenery in the world.
Set along the peaceful shores of Wood Pond, Jackman is a paradise for nature lovers, offering easy access to more than 60 lakes, ponds, and streams. Whether you are seeking outdoor adventure or simply a quiet escape surrounded by breathtaking scenery, this charming town is a detour you will never regret.
As you travel along the byway, scenic rest areas, overlooks, and small roadside parks invite you to stop, relax, and take in the beauty of the landscape. Informational signs displayed in both English and French, along with distances marked in the metric system, reflect the area’s rich history. These details tell the story of the region’s logging heritage and its important role as a historic route for Canadian immigration and cross-border trade.
With its untouched wilderness, deep-rooted history, and endless opportunities for exploration, Jackman truly captures the rugged spirit of northern Maine.
Lily Bay State Park
Nestled along the eastern shore of the magnificent Moosehead Lake, Lily Bay State Park is a true gem of Maine’s North Woods. Located just 9 miles north of Greenville, this 925-acre park offers visitors a peaceful retreat surrounded by breathtaking natural beauty.
Covering 117 square miles with hundreds of miles of rugged shoreline, Moosehead Lake is the largest lake in New England and serves as the perfect backdrop for outdoor adventures. The park offers endless opportunities to enjoy the great outdoors, including fishing, boating, canoeing, kayaking, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and snowmobiling, making it a year-round destination for nature enthusiasts.
The Moosehead Lake region is world-renowned for its iconic resident – the majestic moose. Visitors from around the world come here hoping to catch a glimpse of these magnificent creatures wandering through their natural habitat. Beyond moose, the area is also home to black bears, deer, and a variety of other wildlife.
One of the most breathtaking sights in the region is Mount Kineo, a dramatic mountain rising directly from the middle of Moosehead Lake. Its towering cliffs soar approximately 800 feet above the water, creating a stunning landmark that has become a must-see attraction for anyone visiting this remarkable corner of Maine.
Kokadjo and First Roach Pond
Located about 18 miles north of Greenville in Frenchtown Township, Kokadjo and First Roach Pond offer a glimpse into the wild and untouched beauty of Maine’s North Woods. The name Kokadjo comes from the Indigenous words Kok (kettle), Wadjo (mountain), and Pegwasebem (lake), meaning “Kettle Mountain Lake.”
This remote little community is a true haven for wildlife lovers. Surrounded by forests, mountains, and pristine waters, Kokadjo is home to an incredible variety of animals, including moose, foxes, bald eagles, loons, deer, and many other species. In fact, the moose population is so abundant that these majestic creatures often outnumber the town’s human residents!
Moose sightings are a common part of everyday life here, with these gentle giants frequently wandering through the town and along the surrounding roads. For visitors hoping to experience Maine’s famous wildlife up close, Kokadjo is one of the best places to catch a glimpse of a moose in its natural habitat.
B-52 Memorial: A Tribute Hidden in the Maine Wilderness
Tucked away on the southern slopes of Elephant Mountain, just a 15-minute drive from downtown Greenville, lies a powerful reminder of a Cold War-era tragedy – the wreckage of a United States Air Force Boeing B-52C Stratofortress. Scattered across several acres of forest, the remains of the aircraft create a unique and moving memorial where visitors can walk among the pieces of history and reflect on the lives connected to this event.
Reaching the memorial is an adventure in itself. The eight-mile journey along an unpaved, rugged mountain road can be bumpy and challenging, but the spectacular scenery along the way makes every mile worthwhile. The route winds through Maine’s beautiful wilderness, surrounded by towering pine, spruce, and oak trees, along with colorful wildflowers that bloom throughout the landscape. Popular among ATV and snowmobile enthusiasts, the trail also offers several side paths for those who want to explore further. As you travel deeper into the woods along a wide, smooth footpath, the enormity of the tragedy hits you: there are torn and shredded bits of metal in every direction, everywhere you look: on the leaf-covered ground, tangled in the branches of trees, in and around and under the forest. There are areas where nature has reclaimed the site, where wreckage encircles new growths and pines grow out of unidentifiable pieces of aircraft. Combining history, nature, and adventure, the B-52 Memorial is a truly unforgettable stop in the Moosehead Lake region.
In the end, I would like to mention a wonderful thing about our trip is that “never get disappointed if things won’t work out as you wanted; probably more stunning things are waiting to be experienced”.
Happy Traveling!
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