Maine has some of the best fall foliage in the country, and after three decades running Maine’s resource guide, these are the towns we send people to for the most spectacular color – matched to when each one peaks, since Maine’s foliage moves north to south over about five weeks.
The prettiest fall foliage towns in Maine are Rangeley, Bethel, Camden, Greenville, Bar Harbor, and Jackman. Rangeley and the western mountains peak first (early-to-mid October), the Midcoast and coast peak later (mid-to-late October), and the far north peaks earliest (late September). Each town is covered below with its peak window.
1. Rangeley
Rangeley is the best fall foliage town in Maine. Rangeley, in the western mountains, is surrounded by hardwood forests, lakes, and the Height of Land overlook on Route 17 – widely called the finest foliage view in New England (★ 4.9 from 1,000+ Google reviews). Peak is early-to-mid October. See our Rangeley foliage guide.
2. Bethel
Bethel is the premier foliage base in western Maine. Bethel sits among the mountains near Grafton Notch State Park (★ 4.8 from 1,000+ Google reviews), where Screw Auger Falls and Old Speck frame brilliant color. Its river valleys and the Sunday River area glow in early October. Peak is early-to-mid October. See our Bethel foliage guide.
3. Camden
Camden is the most scenic coastal foliage town. Camden offers something inland towns cannot: fall color rolling down the Camden Hills straight into Penobscot Bay. Drive or hike Mount Battie for the view; Camden Hills State Park is ★ 4.7 from 2,100+ Google reviews. Peak is mid-October. See our Camden foliage guide.
4. Greenville
Greenville is the best wilderness foliage on Moosehead Lake. Greenville, at the foot of Maine’s largest lake, offers vast uncrowded North Woods color reflected in the water, best seen from a seaplane. Peak is late September to early October. See our Greenville foliage guide.
5. Bar Harbor
Bar Harbor is the best foliage-meets-ocean setting. Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park combine fall color with granite and open Atlantic – a coastal foliage experience no inland town matches. The Park Loop Road and Cadillac Mountain (the latter ★ 4.8 from 1,600+ Google reviews) are the draws. Peak is mid-to-late October. See our Bar Harbor foliage guide.
6. Jackman
Jackman is the most remote and uncrowded foliage. Jackman, near the Quebec border, offers wilderness color along the Moose River and the Old Canada Road Scenic Byway with almost no tourist traffic. Peak is early October. See our Jackman foliage guide.
7. Stonington
Stonington is the most beautiful working-harbor foliage village Downeast. At the tip of Deer Isle, this lobstering village frames autumn color against granite islands and open water, with almost none of the crowds of the better-known coastal towns. Peak is mid-October. See our Stonington guide.
Prettiest Fall Foliage Towns in Maine: FAQ
What is the best town in Maine for fall foliage?
Rangeley is widely considered the best town in Maine for fall foliage, set among the western mountains and lakes with the famous Height of Land overlook on Route 17 nearby. It peaks in early-to-mid October. Camden is the best coastal foliage town, and Greenville the best for uncrowded wilderness color.
When is peak fall foliage in Maine?
Peak fall foliage in Maine runs from late September in the far north (Aroostook, Moosehead) to early-to-mid October in the western mountains, and mid-to-late October on the Midcoast and southern coast. Color moves north to south over about five weeks.
Where is the best foliage drive in Maine?
The Height of Land overlook on Route 17 near Rangeley is the best foliage drive in Maine, offering sweeping views over Mooselookmeguntic Lake to the mountains. Other top drives include Grafton Notch near Bethel and Acadia’s Park Loop Road.
See exactly when each region peaks with our interactive Maine Foliage Timing Tracker, or read the full Maine fall foliage guide. MaineGuide.com has been Maine’s resource guide since 1995.
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