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40 Most Beautiful Places in Maine
How many of the state’s natural wonders and scenic spots have you visited? We've just added 5 more - Aroostook National Wildlife Refuge, Belgrade Lakes, Chimney Pond, Sebago Lake State Park and Thorncrag Nature Sanctuary - so get going.
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Maine’s a beaut, ain’t no doubt about it. She’s smart, too, and has quite the personality, but we can’t help stopping to stare at her rocky coast, cascading falls, and miles of mountaintops. No matter where you go in this state, there’s something unique to gawk at, but we’ve culled together a list of just some of the finest spots to get an eyeful of Maine.
Locations are listed in alphabetical order.
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Allagash Wilderness Waterway
Stretching for 90 miles, the Allagash Wilderness Waterway includes a plethora of natural sights, including 40-foot-high Allagash Falls, Twin Brook Rapids, Round Pond Rips and Churchill Depot. Views are best from the water, but paddlers should use caution with frequent low water depths and exposed rocks mixing with rapids.
www.maine.gov
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Aroostook National Wildlife Refuge
Open year round, the refuge is located on part of the former Loring Air Force Base and features 13 miles of trails. Established in 1998 when the Air Force gifted 4,700 acres to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the refuge is home to dozens of species of birds and animals native to the state. It’s a gorgeous spot to explore in sneakers or on cross country skis and a prime location to see the northern lights or an Aroostook County sunset, as shown in this photo by Keith Ramos of the Fish & Wildlife Service.
www.fws.gov
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Bass Harbor Head Light
The station located in Tremont is perched on a cliffside on the southwest corner of Mt. Desert Island. Dating back to 1858, the light marks the entrance to Bass Harbor and Blue Hill Bay. If it looks familiar even if you haven’t yet traveled to see it, you could have recognized it from its 2012 inclusion on the America the Beautiful quarter series or its place on the 2016 National Park Service centennial postage stamp. The light is the 5th busiest attraction in Acadia National Park.
www.nps.gov
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Baxter State Park
More than 200,000 acres of wilderness and public forest make up this scenic park, home to Mt. Katahdin. Hikers will encounter plenty of wildlife and lush vegetation on more than 200 miles of trails. At 5,258 feet, Katahdin is Maine’s highest peak and the northern terminus of the Appalachian Trail. For a second big peak climb in the park, head up to the summit of North Brother Mountain, part of Maine’s list of 4,000-footers.
baxterstatepark.org
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Belgrade Lakes
Maine has more than its share of pristine lakes and 7 of them make up the Belgrade Lakes region. Take your time driving along Route 27 and get views of Great Pond and Long Pond on either side. They’re even prettier from a kayak, as are North Pond, East Pond, McGrath Pond, Salmon Lake and Messalonskee Lake. Visit in December during the town’s holiday stroll or for the boat parade and fireworks on July 4.
belgradelakes.com
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Cadillac Mountain
Cadillac Mountain, part of Acadia National Park in Bar Harbor, is 1,532 feet of spectacular views. A winding, scenic 3.5-mile road brings visitors to the summit where many of the mountains on and around Mount Desert Island can be seen. From early October to early March it’s the first place in the U.S. to view the sunrise. It’ll be crowded any time of day, so plan ahead.
www.nps.gov
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Chimney Pond
It’ll take some work to get to this backcountry campground – 6.2 miles of out and back hiking work to be exact. But the views you’ll see when you get there are worth every step. At 1,329 feet, the pond sits in a basin below Mt. Katahdin, the crown jewel of Baxter State Park. Baxter and Hamlin peaks tower over you from the water’s edge. The tiny specks you’ll see moving in the distance will be hikers heading up the Cathedral and Saddle trails. You’ve made it this far, so why not join them?
www.baxterstatepark.org
Google map
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Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens
Already one of the country’s most distinguished botanical destinations, CMBG is still a youngster after opening in 2007. New elements are added each year and blooms are present nearly until the snow flies. With trails and forests included in the layout, the non-profit is open year-round. The winter Gardens Aglow event is a must-see that gets better every year.
www.mainegardens.org
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Cranberry Isles
See the Cranberry Isles from Acadia National Park or visit them on a ferry ride from Northeast Harbor, Southwest Harbor or Manset and look back on Mount Desert Island. The isles’ namesake cranberries can still be found on low-bush ground patches throughout the islands. Great Cranberry and Little Cranberry welcome visitors, but Bear, Sutton and Baker islands do not.
www.cranberryisles.com
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Crescent Beach State Park
This Cape Elizabeth location has a little bit of everything – sandy beach, salty coves, grassy dunes, rocky ledges and shady wooded areas. It earned its name from the shape of the mile-long beach and is a perfect spot to watch for sea birds and fishing boats from the shore or from a paddleboard.
www.maine.gov
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Cutler Coast Public Reserved Land
A visit to Cutler Coast is an adventure filled with variety. Find blueberry barrens, woodlands and peatlands on 12,234 acres, along with 4.5 miles of headlands. Explore pocket coves and enjoy sightings of many species of birds. Sightings of seals, porpoises and whales aren’t uncommon during summer and fall. Try the Coastal Trail to Ocean Lookout, which ends on a high bluff overlooking the Atlantic.
www.maine.gov
Google map
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Fort Allen Park
Parking your picnic blanket on this 10-acre path of green on Portland’s East End can cause your head to swivel. To the left you’ll have a view of Mackworth Island and the sailboats that float along off East End Beach. Behind you stand some of the city’s most stately historic homes. And ahead will be the brilliant blue of Portland Harbor, complete with sightings of Fort Gorges, South Portland’s Bug Light and several Casco Bay Islands. Gaze. Relax. Enjoy.
portland.gov
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Fort Foster
Settle in on the rocky beach or in the grassy areas near some of the remaining parts of Kittery’s WWII military fortress and enjoy views of the Piscataqua River. Check out the concrete pier that stretches into the water near the remains of submarine net cribs that lead to picturesque Wood Island, home to a refurbished 1908 life-saving station.
www.kitteryme.gov/fort-foster-park
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Gulf Hagas
Found in the 100-mile wilderness section of the Appalachian Trail, Gulf Hagas is known as the Grand Canyon of the East. You’ll understand why when you see the towering rock walls, the network of trails and the series of waterfalls that plunge as much as 500 feet past the rock formations. The three-mile-long gorge is home to the Pleasant River, and attracts both serious hikers – you’ll likely meet some AT thru hikers – and day-trippers admiring the falls. Your way in is past the Katahdin Iron Works, a state historic site dating to 1845.
www.northmainewoods.org/gulfhagas
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Hamlin Peak, Baxter State Park
It takes some effort to get to the 4,756-foot summit of Maine’s No. 2 peak but oh, the sights you’ll see: Baxter Peak and Knife’s Edge across the way, Chimney Pond down below, and the dizzying Great and North basins, which sit on either side of Hamlin Ridge Trail. While everyone else crowds the other peak for their Katahdin summit photo, enjoy your quiet time taking in the expansive views of mountains and valleys, sky and clouds as far as you can see.
4000footers.com/Hamlin
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Height of Land
The Height of Land scenic overlook is a stopping – and gawking – point on Route 17 near Rangeley. “Crowds can be found gathering at the Height of Land, where even on a hazy day the view pours over Mooselookmeguntic Lake and Toothaker and Students islands,” wrote Deirdre Fleming, staff writer at the Portland Press Herald. On a good day, the site lets a visitor travel in their mind over Rangeley and Cupsuptic lakes, west to the White Mountains and east to Saddleback Mountain. Dusk draws locals to see a sky full of shades of purple and orange.
www.visitmaine.com
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Jordan Pond, Acadia National Park
Quaint carriage roads deliver you to the 3.3-mile Shore Trail that allows visitors to this Acadia National Park icon to hike just feet from the water. The glacier-formed tarn is said to have a visibility depth of more than 40 feet and is framed by the North and South Bubbles. Enjoy the contrast of cool blue against the vivid green vegetation in summer or save your trip for the kaleidoscope of colors that come in the fall.
nps.gov/acadia
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Kettle Cove
Sit on sand and gaze out to sea or sit on grass or rocks and take in the sights of Crescent Beach State Park, which sits just across the cove. Sunsets are inspiring here and those relaxing can often watch local paddleboarders easing along the water.
maine.gov
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Land’s End, Bailey Island
The views along the drive are almost as good as the end result, as you travel the length of Orr’s Island and across the famous cribstone bridge to your destination. You can grab a chair on the deck of the Land’s End Gift Shop, but the better spot is on the rocks that stretch out to the ocean. Watch the gulls, admire the boats, soak in some sun. You may have to leave when the tide creeps in, but you won’t want to.
Facebook.com/BaileyIslandMaine
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Monhegan Island
Located 12 miles off the coast, Monhegan Island is accessible by ferry from Boothbay Harbor, New Harbor and Port Clyde. Visit to walk the cliffs, view the lighthouses, chat with the islanders and observe the artists at work. The slow pace and relaxed attitude here adds to the beauty. Adjacent Manana Island is part of Monhegan Harbor.
monheganwelcome.com
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Moxie Falls
Moxie Stream flows from Lake Moxie to the Kennebec River and the falls, one of the highest in the state, drop more than 90 feet into a deep pool. You’ll find several plunges, cascades and pools along the way during the 20-minute hike in. Several wooden observation platforms give visitors a variety of views at the powerful plunging water.
www.mainetrailfinder.com
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Mt. Battie
Located in Camden Hills State Park, a drive up the Mt. Battie Auto Road reveals sweeping views of Camden, Penobscot Bay and surrounding islands. Hike instead of drive and enjoy some nature along the way. When the weather is clear, visitors can see all the way to Cadillac Mountain in Acadia National Park.
www.maine.gov
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Mt. Kineo
Looming beside Moosehead Lake in Piscataquis County, Mt. Kineo features 700-foot cliffs rising dramatically from the water. The mountain is made of hornstone and is the largest known mass of this rock in the nation. Find a viewing tower at the summit, where hikers have spectacular views of the lake and the 9-hole golf course that sits at the base of the mountain. Dating to 1883, it’s the oldest golf course in the state.
www.mooseheadlake.org
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Mt. Megunticook
The highest of the Camden Hills offers plenty of hiking opportunities that lead to views similar to those atop Mt. Battie. Lake Megunticook sprawls below the peak, which is the highest on the mainland. The spot is particularly popular during leaf-peeping season when the surrounding hillsides are awash in fall colors.
www.alltrails.com
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Nubble Light
Sohier Park in York and the rocks that surround it put you as close as you can get to this picturesque 1879 lighthouse. You can look, but you can’t touch the National Register of Historic Places light as it sits out on Cape Neddick Peninsula, a “nub” of rock separated from the park by the ebb and flow of the tides. Take a Nubble selfie in summer, then make a plan to visit on a winter evening to see it dressed in holiday lights.
NubbleLight.org
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Otter Cliff
The rocky shoreline of Monument Cove is nestled just before Acadia National Park’s Otter Cliff, making the headland seem even higher than its 110 feet. Walk the Ocean Path and pass by powerful Thunder Hole on your way to the cliff where the views are unmatched.
www.acadianationalpark.com/ottercliffs
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Pemaquid Point Lighthouse
The impressive lighthouse was selected by residents to represent Maine in the 50 State Quarters Program and is one of the most photographed on the Maine coast. The scenic landscape of the park includes exposed bedrock stretching to the sea and visitors can lounge on the rocks with the Atlantic below.
www.bristolmaine.org
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Popham Beach State Park
For a great view of the sandy beach and dunes, walk to neighboring Fox Island at low tide. Popham is bordered by both the Kennebec and Morse rivers and, in addition to Fox, Wood Island can also be seen from the shore. A stroll along the edge of the Atlantic may result in a treasure trove of shells and sand dollars.
www.maine.gov
Google map
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Portland Head Light
Towering over Casco Bay in Fort Williams Park, Portland Head Light has long attracted tourists to Cape Elizabeth. The iconic lighthouse is Maine’s oldest and is recognized near and far. The park is open year-round with a small beach, rocky ledges and plenty of grassy recreation areas. If you think the lighthouse is pretty in summer, check it out on a sunny day after a snowfall. Just gorgeous.
www.portlandheadlight.com
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Quoddy Head State Park
Home to red-and-white striped West Quoddy Head Light, Quoddy Head State Park stretches over 541 acres in picturesque Lubec. It’s the easternmost point of land in the U.S. and, around the equinoxes, is the first spot in the country to see the sunrise. Be on the lookout for whales frolicking as you gaze out on the rolling Atlantic.
westquoddy.com
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Rangeley Lake
You can see this huge patch of blue from many parts of Rangeley, but it’s so much better to be on it, preferably with a paddle in hand. The seat of a canoe or kayak provides the best vantage point to admire the size of the lake, surrounded by expansive mountains. Stick to the shoreline for views of impressive camps and homes or maneuver around Narramantic Island just a short paddle from the edge of the state park.
www.visitmaine.com
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Scarborough Marsh Audubon Center
The beauty here is not just for the eyes – there’s also a healthy dose for the ears, as the tide ebbs, birds call and marsh grass flutters in the breeze. Try a nature trail, rent a canoe or kayak or put in your own to paddle the maze of waterways that make up the 3,100-acre estuary. Whether the sun is glistening on the ripples of high tide or the footprints of egrets and herons are displayed in the mud of low tide, there’s plenty to explore.
www.maineaudubon/scarboroughmarsh.org
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Screw Auger Falls
Take a walking path from Route 26 to this natural wonder in Grafton Notch State Park. The 23-foot waterfall follows a narrow gorge along the Bear River and offers shallow wading pools. The best view of the falls is from the rock ledge overlooking the gorge.
www.mainetrailfinder.com/screwaugerfalls
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Sebago Lake State Park
Forested Sebago Lake is the state’s deepest and second largest. Situated near the foothills of the White Mountains, the park offers a campground filled with towering pines that offer respite from the sandy beaches in summer. Be sure to check out the historic Songo Lock, which helps boaters get from Sebago to Brandy Pond. Many boaters also take advantage of the sandbars Sebago features, allowing swimmers to enjoy the shallows while out in the expanse of the 45-mile lake.
www.maine.gov
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Table Rock
The hike to Table Rock, a granite ledge overlook, is short but challenging, and the views of Grafton Notch State Park are amazing. The park, located near Newry, contains 12 of the toughest miles of the Appalachian Trail and is a favorite destination of birdwatchers.
www.alltrails.com
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Timber Point
Part of the Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge, the Timber Point Trail winds 1.4 miles between the Little River and Curtis Cove, giving visitors alternating views of salt marsh, forest, mudflats and the rocky Atlantic coast. Bring binoculars to better view the migratory birds – and the views. For a different perspective, take a paddle between the point and Timber Island, just offshore.
www.americantrails.org
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Thorncrag Nature Sanctuary
This 450-acre wildlife preserve is an unexpected gem surrounded by urban development in Lewiston. The land has had many previous uses, including as a sheep and dairy farm and a homestead for the Thorne family. A stone chimney still stands in the crag, now surrounded by wildflowers in summer and colorful trees in fall. More than 100 bird species have been identified in the sanctuary, so keep your eyes and ears open.
www.stantonbirdclub.org
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Tumbledown Mountain
Packing for the trek to this mountain summit should include swimming attire; the bonus of tackling Tumbledown is a dip in a chilly pond, which sits just below the summit. Tumbledown offers views of cliff faces, bald ridges and closely-clustered peaks, including Parker Ridge and Little Jackson. But the pond is the big draw and it’s easy to linger near its edge, admiring where you are and how you got there.
alltrails.com/tumbledown-mountain
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Two Lights State Park
Forty-one acres of rocky headlands make up the Cape Elizabeth park where rolling surf combines with sweeping views of Casco Bay and the Atlantic beyond. Stroll the small beach area or through the grasses atop the cliffs or climb along the rocks with a lighthouse in view.
maine.gov
Google map
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Wells Reserve at Laudholm
Your $6 entry fee goes a long way at the reserve, where easy-to-navigate trails lead through fields and woods to the edge of the marshland, rivers and to the rocky edge of Barrier Beach. The trails are always open – think walking when the leaves turn and snowshoes when the flakes fall. See the sights on a guided walk or kayak tour or visit during the annual nature crafts festival in September.
www.wellsreserve.org
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