Planning Your Trip to Maine Lakes & Mountains

Plan Your Trip to Maine's Lakes and Mountains

An ideal vacation destination, Maine’s Lakes and Mountains, is easy to get to and easy to get around. Adventure is here if you know where to look. Our trip planning tools offer a quick introduction. Watch the short introductory video to the region from a local point of view. Then read the many stories we’ve curated and categorized to show what the area offers based on what you want to do.

The Plan Your Trip section is dedicated to giving visitors quick access to helpful information on Maine’s Lakes & Mountains. Watch our videos. Be sure to read the stories found under Our Best Stuff. Check out the regional map, then dig deeper into the rest of the site.



Trip Ideas





  The Best of Maine's Lakes & Mountains


6 Great Appalachian Trail Day Hikes in Maine

The Appalachian Trail, one of the world's most famous long-distance footpaths, marches 2,190 miles through 14 states from Georgia to the summit of Mount Katahdin in Maine. Here are the top 6 day hikes in Maine's Lakes and Mountains...more >

The 4 Best Ways to Get on the Water in Maine's Lakes and Mountains

With hundreds of lakes and ponds, miles of rivers and streams, Maine's Lakes and Mountains is the perfect destination for on the water activities like paddling a canoe or kayak, cruises, swimming, and fishing...more >

4 of The Most Beautiful Drives in Maine's Lakes and Mountains

Home of one of the oldest scenic byway programs in America, Maine offers many attractive drives that showcase impressive scenery, charming small towns and the state's history...more >

The 6 Best Trail-to-Pub Pairings in Maine's Lakes & Mountains

Whether your go-to brew is a hoppy IPA or a smooth porter, this list will guide you to the best local breweries—all within 30 minutes of Maine's top mountain trails...more >

9 Incredible Winter Adventures in Maine's Lakes and Mountains

Maine's Lakes and Mountains region offers the perfect winter getaway with plenty of snow, few crowds, and a wealth of outdoor experiences for downhill and cross-country skiers, snowmobilers, ice fishermen, ice climbers, fat tire bikers, and dog sledders...more >

The 10 Best Outdoor Adventures in Maine's Lakes and Mountains

If you're wondering where to even start on your next trip to Maine's Lakes and Mountains you're in luck. Here is a list of the 10 best outdoor adventures in the area...more >

12 Best Swimming Holes and Waterfalls in Maine's Lakes & Mountains

The vast western region called the Lakes and Mountains claims a fair share of these waterways, with endless waterfalls and swimming holes that invite lazy afternoons by the river...more >

Why Maine's Lakes & Mountains Should Be at the Top of Your Travel Bucket List

Why should you head to Maine's Lakes and Mountains region? We've got 10 great reasons why to add to your bucket list...more >

Peak Bagging in Maine's Lakes and Mountains: How to Summit 10 of Maine's 4,000-FT+ Peaks

If you love to bag peaks, you're going to be thrilled when you visit Maine's Lakes and Mountains with state's highest concentration of mountain peaks over 4,000 feet...more >

Plan the Perfect Getaway in Maine's Lakes & Mountains

Among New England's wildest places, Maine's Lakes and Mountains region is an epic adventure waiting to happen...more >

  Epic Hikes in Maine's Lakes & Mountains


6 Great Appalachian Trail Day Hikes in Maine

The Appalachian Trail, one of the world's most famous long-distance footpaths, marches 2,190 miles through 14 states from Georgia to the summit of Mount Katahdin in Maine. Here are the top 6 day hikes in Maine's Lakes and Mountains...more >

How to have an Unforgettable Winter Hut Trip in Maine's Lakes and Mountains

Hut-to-hut adventures: imagine skiing or snowshoeing along a groomed track through Maine's wild woods and at the end of the day reaching a cozy hut to enjoy a hearty meal, great company, and a warm bed...more >

Why Maine's Lakes & Mountains Should Be at the Top of Your Travel Bucket List

Why should you head to Maine's Lakes and Mountains region? We've got 10 great reasons why to add to your bucket list...more >

The 10 Best Outdoor Adventures in Maine's Lakes and Mountains

If you're wondering where to even start on your next trip to Maine's Lakes and Mountains you're in luck. Here is a list of the 10 best outdoor adventures in the area...more >

Peak Bagging in Maine's Lakes and Mountains: How to Summit 10 of Maine's 4,000-FT+ Peaks

If you love to bag peaks, you're going to be thrilled when you visit Maine's Lakes and Mountains with state's highest concentration of mountain peaks over 4,000 feet...more >

Plan the Perfect Getaway in Maine's Lakes & Mountains

Among New England's wildest places, Maine's Lakes and Mountains region is an epic adventure waiting to happen...more >

Plan the Perfect Getaway in Maine's Lakes & Mountains

If you leave Maine’s coast and drive toward Canada, you’ll eventually find yourself deep in the heart of Maine's Lakes & Mountains region. In summer the area offers a large variety of experiences for all types of visitors...more >

  On The Water in Maine's Lakes & Mountains


A Complete Guide to Canoeing and Kayaking in Maine's Lakes and Mountains

Many places in the country have been dubbed a “paddler's paradise,” but Maine's Lakes and Mountains region truly lives up to the name...more >

The 4 Best Ways to Get on the Water in Maine's Lakes and Mountains

With hundreds of lakes and ponds, miles of rivers and streams, Maine's Lakes and Mountains is the perfect destination for on the water activities like paddling a canoe or kayak, cruises, swimming, and fishing...more >

The 10 Best Outdoor Adventures in Maine's Lakes and Mountains

If you're wondering where to even start on your next trip to Maine's Lakes and Mountains you're in luck. Here is a list of the 10 best outdoor adventures in the area...more >

12 Best Swimming Holes and Waterfalls in Maine's Lakes & Mountains

The vast western region called the Lakes and Mountains claims a fair share of these waterways, with endless waterfalls and swimming holes that invite lazy afternoons by the river...more >

Plan the Perfect Getaway in Maine's Lakes & Mountains

Among New England's wildest places, Maine's Lakes and Mountains region is an epic adventure waiting to happen...more >

Plan the Perfect Getaway in Maine's Lakes & Mountains

If you leave Maine’s coast and drive toward Canada, you’ll eventually find yourself deep in the heart of Maine's Lakes & Mountains region. In summer the area offers a large variety of experiences for all types of visitors...more >

  Let's Eat in Maine's Lakes & Mountains


7 Must-Visit Trail Towns in Maine's Lakes and Mountains

There's something special about Maine trail towns. These pockets of civilization surrounded by wilderness give us easy access to the outdoors and provide launch points for all sorts of adventures...more >

How to Experience the Truly One-of-a-Kind Culture of Maine's Lakes and Mountains

With its rich history, thriving arts and culture scene, and a growing collection of local craft breweries and diverse restaurants, you'll find a unique and delightful culture in Maine's Lakes and Mountains...more >

The 6 Best Trail-to-Pub Pairings in Maine's Lakes & Mountains

Whether your go-to brew is a hoppy IPA or a smooth porter, this list will guide you to the best local breweries—all within 30 minutes of Maine's top mountain trails...more >

Plan the Perfect Getaway in Maine's Lakes & Mountains

Among New England's wildest places, Maine's Lakes and Mountains region is an epic adventure waiting to happen...more >

Plan the Perfect Getaway in Maine's Lakes & Mountains

If you leave Maine’s coast and drive toward Canada, you’ll eventually find yourself deep in the heart of Maine's Lakes & Mountains region. In summer the area offers a large variety of experiences for all types of visitors...more >

  Road Tripping in Maine's Lakes & Mountains


A Maine Wanderer Winter Visit to the Bethel Area

Digging into Maine’s geological history at the Maine Mineral & Gem Museum after a snowy trek on the delightful Bethel Village Trails will be the highlight of a trip to one of the most well known mountain towns in all of Maine...more >

7 Must-Visit Trail Towns in Maine's Lakes and Mountains

There's something special about Maine trail towns. These pockets of civilization surrounded by wilderness give us easy access to the outdoors and provide launch points for all sorts of adventures...more >

Maine Wanderer Autumn Visit to the Carrabassett Valley

Take a trip to the picturesque Carrabassett Valley with the Maine Wanderer. Discover dining in Stratton and the spectacle that is an autumn ride along the Maine High Peak's Scenic Byway...more >

4 of The Most Beautiful Drives in Maine's Lakes and Mountains

Home of one of the oldest scenic byway programs in America, Maine offers many attractive drives that showcase impressive scenery, charming small towns and the state's history...more >

Maine Wanderer Stops in Norway for a Winter Walk

Norway and the surrounding area are perfect bled of downtown Maine charm and the wonder of the great outdoors; and it's all so close in this perfect Maine Lakes & Mountains destination...more >

12 Best Swimming Holes and Waterfalls in Maine's Lakes & Mountains

The vast western region called the Lakes and Mountains claims a fair share of these waterways, with endless waterfalls and swimming holes that invite lazy afternoons by the river...more >

A Summer Classic for the Maine Wanderer in Oquossoc and The Rangeley Lakes

Climb to the panoramic views from the top of Maine's Bald Mountain and then journey back to the state’s earliest Vacationland days as a sporting destination for fly-fisherman from across the nation in and around Oquossoc and Rangeley Lakes...more >

Why Maine's Lakes & Mountains Should Be at the Top of Your Travel Bucket List

Why should you head to Maine's Lakes and Mountains region? We've got 10 great reasons why to add to your bucket list...more >

Maine Wandering Down to the Farm in Turner

In this visual story, the Maine Wanderer takes you over hill and dale through the Androscoggin Riverlands for a hike and then on to Ricker Hill Orchards for apples; Then on to Nezinscot Farms for delightful Maine Cheeses and other Farm Products...more >

Plan the Perfect Getaway in Maine's Lakes & Mountains

If you leave Maine’s coast and drive toward Canada, you’ll eventually find yourself deep in the heart of Maine's Lakes & Mountains region. In summer the area offers a large variety of experiences for all types of visitors...more >

  Wintertime in Maine's Lakes & Mountains


Beginner or Pro: Top 6 Reasons You Should Go Snowmobiling in Maine's Lakes and Mountains

With deep snow, varied terrain, more than 3,000 miles of marked trails, and a friendly sledding culture, Maine's Lakes and Mountains is an excellent snowmobiling destination...more >

9 Incredible Winter Adventures in Maine's Lakes and Mountains

Maine's Lakes and Mountains region offers the perfect winter getaway with plenty of snow, few crowds, and a wealth of outdoor experiences for downhill and cross-country skiers, snowmobilers, ice fishermen, ice climbers, fat tire bikers, and dog sledders...more >

How to have an Unforgettable Winter Hut Trip in Maine's Lakes and Mountains

Hut-to-hut adventures: imagine skiing or snowshoeing along a groomed track through Maine's wild woods and at the end of the day reaching a cozy hut to enjoy a hearty meal, great company, and a warm bed...more >

The 10 Best Outdoor Adventures in Maine's Lakes and Mountains

If you're wondering where to even start on your next trip to Maine's Lakes and Mountains you're in luck. Here is a list of the 10 best outdoor adventures in the area...more >

A Grand Intro to Fat Biking in Maine's Lakes and Mountains (And Why Everyone Should Try it)

Throughout Maine's Lakes and Mountains region you'll find ideal fat biking trails that traverse through forests, snow-covered hills, and quiet lakes and streams...more >

Why Maine's Lakes & Mountains Should Be at the Top of Your Travel Bucket List

Why should you head to Maine's Lakes and Mountains region? We've got 10 great reasons why to add to your bucket list...more >

  Videos