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Maine Fall Foliage 2025 | Peak Color Prediction Map & Best Leaf-Peeping Spots

  • Writer: Gerry Caron
    Gerry Caron
  • 1 day ago
  • 5 min read


Maine Fall Foliage 2025 | Peak Color Prediction Map & Best Leaf-Peeping Spots

🍁 ULTIMATE Maine Fall Foliage Map & Best Leaf-Peeping Spots

Looking for the best places to see fall foliage in Maine? You’ve come to the right place. Maine’s crisp autumn air, harvest festivals, and rolling hills ablaze with fiery reds, oranges, and golds make it one of the top fall travel destinations in New England. Whether you’re planning a scenic road trip, a cozy weekend getaway, or simply want to capture the season’s most breathtaking colors, our guide will help you time your trip perfectly with the Maine fall foliage map, peak predictions, and hand-picked viewing the best Leaf-Peeping spots across every region of the state.



Why Visit Maine for Fall Foliage?

Fall in Maine is nothing short of magical. From the northern wilderness of Aroostook County to the charming harbors of MidCoast Maine, every corner of the state becomes a painter’s canvas. The season brings:


  • Crisp, cool air — perfect for hiking, biking, and exploring.

  • Vibrant foliage reflected in lakes, rivers, and along rugged coastlines.

  • Harvest bounty — apples, pumpkins, potatoes, and late-season lobster.

  • Scenic drives and leaf-peeping road trips ranked among the best in the U.S.


With Maine’s fall foliage prediction map, you can plan your trip around peak colors — usually from late September in the north through late October on the coast.


🌲 When Do Leaves Change in Maine?

Maine’s foliage season rolls north to south:

  • Northern Maine (Aroostook County): mid-September to early October

  • Maine Highlands & Lakes/Mountains: late September to mid-October

  • MidCoast, Southern Maine & Casco Bay: early to mid-October

  • Downeast & Acadia: mid- to late October


👉 Tip: Peak times can shift depending on weather. A wet summer + sunny days + cool nights typically bring the most vibrant colors.


🍂 Why Leaves Change Color

As daylight shortens, trees stop producing chlorophyll (the green pigment). With it gone, the hidden colors shine through:

  • Gold & Yellow: birch, beech, and poplar

  • Fiery Orange: sugar maples and oaks

  • Deep Red & Purple: dogwood, sumac, and red maples


This chemical dance transforms Maine’s forests into one of the most iconic fall foliage displays in the world.


🗺️ Maine Fall Foliage Map & Peak Prediction

Use the Maine fall foliage map to track color changes in real time. The interactive tool shows peak foliage by week, letting you plan the ultimate scenic drive, hike, or photography trip.


👉 Visit Maine Fall Foliage Map


🌟 Best Places for Leaf Peeping in Maine

Here’s where to see the most stunning fall foliage in Maine:


Aroostook County (Northern Maine)

  • Aroostook State Park, Presque Isle – Miles of trails, lakeside views, and early peak colors.

  • Allagash Wilderness Waterway – 92 miles of remote waterways surrounded by vibrant forests.


Kennebec & Moose River Valley

  • Old Canada Road Scenic Byway (Route 201) – One of Maine’s most iconic fall drives.

  • Kennebec River Rail Trail – Bike or walk along a river framed by fiery foliage.


The Maine Highlands

  • Baxter State Park – Home to Mt. Katahdin, 200,000+ acres of wilderness and color.

  • Peaks-Kenny State Park – Scenic Sebec Lake views and quiet hiking trails.


Downeast & Acadia

  • Acadia National Park, Bar Harbor – Hike, bike, or drive the Park Loop Road for stunning views.

  • Moosehorn National Wildlife Refuge – Remote forest trails near the Canadian border.


Maine Lakes & Mountains

  • Grafton Notch State Park – Dramatic waterfalls and rugged peaks framed in gold.

  • Mt. Blue State Park, Weld – Summit hikes with sweeping foliage panoramas.


MidCoast Maine

  • Camden Hills State Park – Panoramic harbor views from Mt. Battie & Mt. Megunticook.

  • Camden Snow Bowl – Ride the chairlift for a bird’s-eye view of Penobscot Bay.


Greater Portland & Casco Bay

  • Bradbury Mountain State Park – Hike to the summit for colorful views of Casco Bay.

  • Wolfe’s Neck Woods State Park, Freeport – Coastal walks surrounded by autumn hues.


Southern Maine Coast

  • Ferry Beach State Park, Saco – Sandy beaches meet colorful woodlands.

  • Mount Agamenticus, York – Panoramic ocean-to-forest views in southern Maine’s largest conservation area.


🍏 Fall Festivals & Seasonal Fun

Pair your foliage adventure with Maine fall festivals and harvest events:


  • Fryeburg Fair (Oct 5–12, 2025) – Maine’s largest agricultural fair.

  • Camp Sunshine Pumpkin Festival (Oct 25, 2025, Freeport) – Thousands of pumpkins glowing downtown.

  • Great Maine Apple Day (Mid-October, Unity) – Celebrating Maine’s orchards with cider and apple pie.


🛎️ Plan Your Maine Fall Getaway

Because fall is peak season, book your lodging early — from charming coastal inns to rustic cabins in the Maine Highlands.

For official updates and travel planning resources:


👉 Visit Maine – www.visitmaine.com

👉 Maine Foliage Report – www.maine.gov/dacf/mfs/projects/fall_foliage


🌟 Final Thoughts

The Maine fall foliage season is a once-a-year spectacle that draws travelers from across the globe. With the fall foliage map, peak prediction guide, and top viewing spots in hand, you’ll be ready to experience autumn in Maine like never before.

So grab your camera, book your stay, and get ready for a journey through one of the most stunning fall landscapes in America.


What to Do in the Moosehead Lake Region & Beyond: Your Complete Guide to Outdoor Adventure & Local Attractions

Planning a trip to the Moosehead Lake region in Maine? You're in for an unforgettable experience packed with adventure, breathtaking natural beauty, and cozy lodging options. From high-adrenaline ATV trails to peaceful paddles on glassy waters, the Moosehead Lake area is a four-season playground perfect for outdoor lovers, families, and anyone looking to unplug and explore.

Want more insider tips? Discover top recommendations at Moose River Lookout, your go-to resource for:

  • 🛶 Boating & paddling routes

  • 🎣 Fishing hotspots

  • 🏕️ Wilderness camping sites

  • 🥾 Trail maps for hiking & nature walks

  • 🍽️ Local dining & shopping recommendations


  • Stay updated with the latest happenings and news in the Moosehead Lake region. Learn more about what to do and where to go in the Moosehead Lake area and beyond.


🏡 Where to Stay: Moose River Lookout – Your Basecamp for Adventure

Located in Rockwood, Maine, Moose River Lookout is the ultimate vacation home rental for adventurers and nature lovers alike. Nestled on the Moose River, this cozy home features:

  • Private Dock with access to Moosehead Lake

  • 3 Bedrooms | 2 Baths | Sleeps 7

  • Free WiFi & TV

  • Backup Generator

  • Easy driveway access for trailers & ATVs

  • Direct access to ITS66 Snowmobile Trails

  • Year-round availability for summer AND winter sports

Whether you're hiking Blue Ridge, casting a line in the river, or hitting the snowmobile trails—Moose River Lookout is where your Maine vacation begins.


Ultimate Outdoor Getaway

With direct backyard access to Maine's Interconnected Trail System (ITS66) and a private dock on the river, adventure awaits right outside your door. Whether you're into hiking, golfing, boating, fishing, hunting, skiing, or snowmobiling, you'll find it all just steps away from our doorstep.


Book Your Stay

Experience the ultimate outdoor getaway in the heart of Maine's natural beauty. For inquiries or to make a reservation, please don't hesitate to contact us. We look forward to welcoming you to Moose River Lookout, lodging Rockwood Maine a Vacation Home Rental, on Moose River with access to Moosehead Lake and Mt. Kineo!


Looking at a moose at the top of Mt Kineo from Moose River









Maine is one of the top fall travel destinations in New England.

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