Leaf peeping in Maine.

[rbpru]

The DW and I would like to visit Maine and see the ocean. We have been to the coast on a cruise ship tour in September a few years back, now we would like to catch the fall colors.

My question is, what is the best time to visit when the fall colors are at their peak?

The goal is to see the leaves change color, visit the ocean and avoid snow. Fortunately we are retired so time is not an issue and we have from time to time driven in snow but prefer not to.

[K_and_I]

We just did that trip in October. We got to Maine the 6th and left the 15th. As mentioned, we did the trip up Rt.1 and enjoyed it, but if your rig is too big, you'll fight the small towns. We went to Freeport to see the original LL Bean, and I took out a tire making a tight turn onto a side street to find parking- I tried to make the turn with all of the oncoming traffic, and ended up scraping the curb and cut the tire. I will not go back there again with the trailer in tow. We spent most of our time in the Acadia area. We didn't find too many attraction closures, and the crowds were higher than we anticipated- Columbus Day weekend. The leaves really began to approach peak as we were getting ready to head back home. Definitely a trip worth making.

[temccarthy1]

rbpru wrote:
Temccarthy1,

Thanks for the advice on visiting Maine.

My wife and I are avid sight seers and had not considered the closing of shops and attractions by early October.

3 or 4 weeks on the road is normal for us. So catching the fall colors on the way back is quiet doable.

Thanks again for the heads up on the 10/1 deadline. It was much appreciated.

You are very welcome! You deserve to get the whole Maine experience when it is all open in September and the crowds have thinned out! Plan a month in New England with 2 weeks on the Maine coast and then 2 weeks working your way back in October through NH, Vermont and upstate New York wine country to catch the foliage at it's peak.. It will be a spectacular trip I guarantee you! Best wishes!

[rbpru]

Temccarthy1,

Thanks for the advice on visiting Maine.

My wife and I are avid sight seers and had not considered the closing of shops and attractions by early October.

3 or 4 weeks on the road is normal for us. So catching the fall colors on the way back is quiet doable.

Thanks again for the heads up on the 10/1 deadline. It was much appreciated.

[ssthrd]

Mid October without question.

[temccarthy1]

rbpru wrote:
The DW and I would like to visit Maine and see the ocean. We have been to the coast on a cruise ship tour in September a few years back, now we would like to catch the fall colors.

My question is, what is the best time to visit when the fall colors are at their peak?

The goal is to see the leaves change color, visit the ocean and avoid snow. Fortunately we are retired so time is not an issue and we have from time to time driven in snow but prefer not to.

I answered your fall leaf peeping question in another post above, but wanted to add if you haven't been to Maine camping, I would highly recommend you go in early September right after Labor Day when everything is still open concerning campgrounds, restaurants and places to visit such as 3 hour sails on a windjammer, whale watching cruises, State Parks, museums, etc. The crowds are gone after Labor Day but everything is still open until 10/1 and the weather in Sept is beautiful, 65-75 degree temps and generally clear weather. All that closes by 10/1 so you might see the leaves, but will miss all the other great places to see and eat seafood at!
A must see is to travel up Rt 1 on the coast starting at Brunswick. Get off I 95 and head up coastal Rt 1. Must see stops are Bath,( Bath Maritime Museum) Wiscasset ( quaint village on the water), Boothbay Harbor,( Great shopping, harbor, restaurants) Camden ( windjammer sailing capitol and most beautiful village in Maine), Searsport ( Penobscot nautical museum-- 5 buildings!), and of course Acadia National Park and Bar Harbor.All of these are on Rt 1. There are several National Park campgrounds in Acadia and other private RV parks near Bar Harbor on Mt. Desert Island. You could definitely spend a week there exploring the National Park and all it has to offer with Bar Harbor as it's center with outstanding seafood, sailing, lobstering and whale watching cruises!
Being a Maine native and resident for many years and owning a cottage for 50 years on the Maine Coast, I wouldn't recommend Maine just for the fall peak foliage because everything else is shut down by then and you will not get the full Maine experience. I would do Maine in early to Mid September then if still in New England , go to NH and Vermont and upstate New yYork wine country for the best fall foliage if you can plan to stay into October.
Please let me know on this blog if you need any other info!

[campigloo]

Maine is an early season state. This time of year you'd be lucky to catch Tennessee in color. In my experience it takes patience. It took us three trips to get it right. But that third trip, ooooh man, what a treat!!
Absolutely don't miss Vermont.

[temccarthy1]

Best time for viewing Maine and New England colors is around Oct 1-10 each year.. ( Don't miss Vermont! Much prettier colors than Maine!)I'm from Maine so I am allowed to say that!

[bobndot]

Below has a link to a foliage website that is updated every week during the foliage season.

https://www.nps.gov/acad/planyourvisit/leafpeeping.htm

The people in the North-East Truckcamper group have lots of knowledge about New England camping, contact ...Ask Mikeee on the below website.

https://www.truckcamping.net/

[2oldman]

Maine fall colors