Foliage

About New England’s Foliage

Every autumn throughout New England, diminishing length of daylight and falling temperatures induce trees to shed billions of tons of leaves. Preceding this preparation for winter the trees present a spectacular color show. Leaves that have been green all summer turn to brilliant shades of yellow, orange, and red.

These color changes are caused by transformations in leaf pigments, primarily the green pigment chlorophyll. During summer, the leaves of trees are producing sugar from carbon dioxide and water by the workings of light and chlorophyll. Chlorophyll causes the leaves to appear green.

The shorter days and cool nights of autumn set off changes in the tree. One is the growth of a corky membrane at the base of the leaf stem, which interrupts the flow of nutrients into the leaf. This stops the production of chlorophyll in the leaf, and the green color of the leaf fades, allowing the reds, oranges and yellows to burst forth. The best autumn colors are produced when dry, sunny days are followed by cool, dry nights.

Color may begin to appear in isolated spots in far northern New England the first week in September. Typically, the color change begins at the higher elevations and in the northern part of the region mid-September and moves southward through mid-to-late October, ending in southern New England coastal areas at the end of October.

Visitors who travel to see our spectacular foliage are known as, “Leaf-Peepers.” While on your excursion do stop at country stores, orchards, local restaurants and shops. We have suggested some routes for you to drive. We also suggest that you try some backroads. Get a local map, and don’t worry about getting lost. You’ll always bump into a main road sooner or, hopefully, later.

Foliage Maps and Reports

Use the New England Foliage Map to determine where and when you are likely to see the best foliage. Once foliage season begins the Foliage Reports will be regularly updated.

Maine Foliage Map

Maine Foliage Report

Maine State Map

Scenic Drives

Acadia/Down East

Castine and Penobscot Bay
79 miles, 2 hours

From the center of Ellsworth, take Route 1 south. After 13 miles, you'll pass Toddy Pond, and 3 1/2 miles later cross the Orland River. 1/2 mile from the bridge, take a left onto Route 175, which will travel through Orland village and then southward along Penobscot Bay.

Eventually, Route 175 will meet Route 166. Continue straight onto Route 166. Approximately 2 miles later, take a right onto Route 166A, and then right again back onto Route 166. 2 miles after returning to Route 166, you will reach Castine, home to many historic buildings and the Maine Maritime Academy. After leaving Castine on Route 166, make a right on Route 199, which heads toward Penobscot.

3 1/2 miles later, 199 will meet Route 175. Continue straight onto Route 175 south, and through Penobscot Village, Brooksville, and eventually crossing the reversing falls on the Bagaduce River. One mile later, make a right onto Route 176. This road will continue on through the fishing villages of Smith Cove, Orcutt Harbor and Buck's Harbor.

Continue on 176 to the junction with Route 175. Go straight at the intersection, meeting Route 15 less than one mile later. Make a left onto Route 15 and continue on into Blue Hill. Along this route, Route 172 joins Route 15 before entering the town of Blue Hill. Stay on Route 172, continuing past Patten Bay and back into Ellsworth.
Ellsworth - Castine

Acadia National Park Loop Road
27 miles, 3 hours

Acadia National Park is located along the rugged, rocky coast of Downeast Maine. Most of the park is located on Mount Desert Island. The park is about a six-hour drive north of Boston. From Boston take I-95 north to Augusta, Maine, then Route 3 east to Ellsworth and on to Mount Desert Island. For an alternate route, continue on I-95 north to Bangor, Maine, then take Route 1A east to Ellsworth. In Ellsworth, take Route 3 to Mount Desert Island.
The scenic 27-mile Park Loop Road system begins at Hulls Cove Visitor Center and offers access to Sand Beach, Thunder Hole, Otter Cliffs, Jordan Pond, and Cadillac Mountain, which, at an elevation of 1,530 feet, in the highest point on the Eastern seaboard. A portion of the park known as Ocean Drive extends from Sand Beach to Otter Point and includes spectacularly beautiful views of rocky shoreline. The park service recommends allowing three to four hours to drive the Loop Road.
Also, the loop road located on the Schoodic Peninsula section of the park, north of Bar Harbor, offers views of the rugged coast on the only part of the park on the mainland.
Bar Harbor

Aroostook

The Northern Tour
214 miles, 6 hours

This scenic trip features long stretches of unpopulated territory between towns. The route begins north of Bangor and ventures into the region known for Maine potatoes. Travel from Bangor north on I-95 to Exit 54 in Howland, and take Maine Route 6 east, through West Enfield, Lincoln, and into Lee. In Lee, pick up Route 168 north and travel to Winn. In Winn, take U.S. Route 2 northeast to Macwahoc, where you will take U.S. Route 2A into Haynesville. In Haynesville, travel southeast on the secondary road to Danforth, where you will intersect U.S. Route 1. Take Route 1 north into Houlton, picking up U.S. Route 2 west. Route 2 will lead into Smyrna Mills, where it intersects with Route 212. Take 212 west to Knowles Corner, picking up Route 11 south. Route 11 will travel through Patten to Sherman. In Sherman, pick up I-95 South to Medway (exit 56). From the exit, take Route 157 west to Route 116. Take Route 116 south through Chester and then back to Howland.
Bangor - Houlton

Katahdin Moosehead

Moosehead Trip
210 miles, 6 hours

This trip takes travelers north from Skowhegan up toward Jackman, and down past Moosehead lake. On the way, you will pass Moosehead Lake, Moxie Falls and Mount Kineo. Particularly scenic segments of the trip are Route 201 between Solon and West Forks, and Route 6 and 15 between Jackman and Rockwood.

Beginning in Skowhegan, take U.S. Route 201 north through Bingham and up to near Jackman, where you will intersect Route 15. Proceed on Route 15 south and east through Greenville and then on to Dover - Foxcroft. There you will pick up Route 7 south to Newport. In Newport, take Route 2 west into Palmyra, where you will then take Route 151 west to Athens. In Athens, take Route 150 south, which will return to Skowhegan.
Skowhegan - Jackman - Dover-Foxcroft

Kennebec/Moose River

Belgrade Drive
126 miles long, 3 ½ hours

Beginning in Augusta, Maine's capital, this trip winds through the Winthrop Lakes region and the Belgrade Lakes region of the state.

From Augusta, take U.S. Route 201 south into Richmond Corner, where you will pick up Route 197 west. Take Route 197 into Litchfield Corner, and then follow a secondary road north toward Litchfield and Route 126. Head west on Route 126. Near Sabattus it will intersect with Route 132. Take Route 132 north into Monmouth, and then pick up Route 135 east. Stay on Route 135 until it runs into U.S. Route 202. Take U.S. Route 202 west into Winthrop, then north on Route 41. When Route 41 meets Route 133, take Route 133 north, which will travel through Wayne and toward Livermore Falls. Go east on Route 17 to Kents Hill, and once there pick up Route 41 north into Mount Vernon. On a secondary road you will then go east, bearing left at the fire station. Continue straight on the road until it reaches Route 27. Make a left on Route 27 and follow it to Rome Corner. In Rome Corner, pick up Route 225 east, to Route 8. Take Route 8 south to Route 27, then continue on Route 27 south back to Augusta.
Augusta - Kents Hill

Mid Coast

Coastal Route
141 miles, 3 ½ hours

This trip passes along scenic shoreline, through quaint fishing villages, and to the top of Mount Battie.

Begin in Wiscasset, and take U.S. Route 1 east into Newcastle. In Newcastle, pick up Route 130 south, which will travel through New Harbor and on to Pemaquid Point. After stopping at Pemaquid Point State Park, travel back on 130 into New Harbor and onto Route 32 north. Take Route 32 north into Waldoboro, and make a right on Main Street. When you reach Route 220, head south into Friendship, and in Friendship take Route 97 north and east through Cushing and into Thomaston. In Thomaston, take U.S. Route 1 north which will wind its way through Rockland and into Camden.

Once in Camden, take the drive up to the top of Mount Battie and enjoy the panoramic view of Penobscot Bay. Head back to U.S. Route 1 and continue on to Lincolnville. In Lincolnville, take Route 173 west into Lincolnville Center, where you will pick up Route 235 South. Continue on 235 into Hope, and then take Route 105 north to Route 131, which merges with 105. Continue south on 105 and 131, and drive through Appleton, then pick up Route 17. Take Route 17 west to Stickney Corner, then Route 220 south to Route 126. Take 126 southwest into Jefferson, where you will pick up Route 213 southwest, and then Route 215. Take Route 215 northwest to Route 194, and Route 194 northwest into Head Tide. Once in Head Tide, bear left to cross the river on a local road. On the other side, get on Route 218 south, which will take you back to Wiscasset.
Wiscasset - Camden

Western Lakes/Mountains

Ski Mountain Route
132 miles 3 ½ hours

Begin your drive in Farmington, the entryway to Maine's ski country. This route will take you past some of the major ski resort areas, whose mountains should be aflame in fall colors. From Farmington, take U.S. Route 2 into Wilton, where you will pick up Route 156. Take Route 156 northwest into Weld, then head north on Route 142. When 142 meets Route 4, take Route 4 northwest into Rangeley, where you will pick up Route 16 east. Stay on Route 16 through Kingfield and then into North Anson. In North Anson, take U.S. Route 201A south into Norridgewock, where you'll pick up U.S. Route 2 back to Farmington.
Farmington - Rangeley

Southern Circle
85 miles, 2 hours

This trip will take visitors through the Southern corner of Maine, known for its historic sites and apple orchards. Begin in Sanford, and take U.S. Route 202 east through Alfred, then into Hollis Center. In Hollis Center, pick up Route 35 north and continue on that road into Standish. In Standish take Route 25 West, which goes through Kezar Falls, and into Porter. Route 25 will intersect Route 160 in Porter. Take Route 160 south to Limerick, then pick up Route 11 south back to Sanford.
Sanford

The Western Loop
130 miles, 3 ½ hours

This tour begins in Fryeburg, near the New Hampshire border, on U.S. Route 302. Take 302 east through Bridgton and into Naples. In Naples pick up Route 35 north to Harrison, where it intersects with Route 117. Take Route 117 north. Near Norway, pick up Route 118 west. Approximately one mile after taking the highway, go north on a local road, which follows the western bank of Lake Pennesseewassee, and then heads into Greenwood. In Greenwood, take Route 219 east to Route 26, then north on Route 26 into Bethel. In Bethel, pick up U.S. Route 2 west, which will take you into Gilead. In Gilead take Route 113 south into Stow, then go east on a local road that travels the west shore of Lake Kezar into North Lovell. In North Lovell, follow Route 5 south back into Fryeburg.
Fryeburg - Bethel

The Mountain Tour
108 miles, 3 hours

This tour goes deep into the heart of Maine's mountainous region. Sites include Screw Auger Falls, Moose Cave, Mother Walker Falls, Grafton State Park and the Appalachian Trail.

Begin your drive in Rumford, taking U.S. Route 2 west into Newry. Pick up Route 26 north and proceed over the New Hampshire border to Errol. In Errol, take Route 16, back into Maine and to the town of Oquossoc. In Oquossoc, take Route 4 west to Route 17, then 17 south into Mexico. In Mexico, pick up U.S. Route 2 west, which will take you across the bridge back into Rumford.
Rumford - Errol