Maine fall foliage peak dates by region
| Region | Typical peak | Base towns | From Portland |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aroostook & The County | September 20–30 | Presque Isle, Caribou, Fort Kent | 5 hr 30 |
| North Woods & Moosehead | September 25 – October 5 | Greenville, Jackman, Millinocket | 4 hr |
| Western Mountains | September 28 – October 10 | Rangeley, Bethel, Carrabassett Valley | 2 hr 15 |
| Greater Bangor & Central | October 5–15 | Bangor, Orono, Waterville | 2 hr |
| Downeast & Acadia | October 8–18 | Bar Harbor, Ellsworth, Machias | 3 hr |
| Midcoast | October 10–20 | Camden, Rockland, Belfast | 1 hr 45 |
| Southern Coast & Portland | October 12–25 | Portland, Kennebunkport, York | — |
How to time a Maine foliage trip
Peak color moves across Maine from north to south over roughly five weeks. That spread is the single most useful thing to understand about planning a trip here, and it’s what makes Maine different from smaller New England states: if you pick your dates first, there is almost always somewhere in Maine at peak. The question is never whether the color will be good, only where.
The far north goes first. Aroostook County usually peaks in the last ten days of September, sometimes starting as early as the fifteenth in a cold year. The North Woods and Moosehead follow within a few days, then the western mountains around Rangeley and Bethel at the turn of the month. Central Maine and the Bangor area come in during the first half of October. Downeast and Acadia land a few days after that, the Midcoast around the tenth to the twentieth, and the southern coast last of all — sometimes still holding color into the final week of October, because the ocean keeps the nights warmer and delays the turn.
Peak at any one spot lasts about one to two weeks. That sounds generous, but the good half of it is shorter, and a single storm with hard wind can strip a hillside in an afternoon. If your dates are fixed, aim for the first half of a region’s window rather than the second: arriving early means you catch the climb toward peak, while arriving late risks catching the drop.
Elevation matters as much as latitude. Higher ground turns first, so within any single region the mountains and ridges will be ahead of the valleys and the shoreline by several days. On a drive through western Maine in early October you can often see three stages at once — bare summits, peak color at mid-slope, and still-green valley floor. If you arrive a few days early for a region, drive up rather than around.
Weekends at the well-known viewpoints are genuinely crowded, particularly Acadia’s Park Loop Road and the Camden Hills. Midweek is a different experience for the same color. If you can only travel on a weekend, the interior — Moosehead, the Kennebec valley, the Bangor river corridors — carries a fraction of the traffic for scenery that is every bit as good.
Book lodging well ahead in the north. Greenville, Rangeley and Millinocket have limited rooms and they sell out for foliage season months in advance. The coast and the southern towns have far more capacity, which is another argument for pairing a late-season trip with a base in Portland or Camden.
Frequently asked questions
When is peak fall foliage in Maine?
Maine’s peak foliage runs from about September 20 in the far north to about October 25 on the southern coast. Most of the state peaks in the first three weeks of October. There is no single statewide peak date — the color moves north to south over roughly five weeks.
Where is the best fall foliage in Maine?
For the best color relative to drive time, the western mountains around Rangeley are hard to beat, particularly the Height of Land overlook above Mooselookmeguntic Lake. For color against the ocean, Acadia and the Midcoast around Camden are unmatched. For scale and solitude, Moosehead Lake and Baxter State Park.
Is Acadia or Rangeley better for foliage?
They peak at different times, so you may not have to choose. Rangeley peaks late September to early October; Acadia peaks roughly October 8–18. Rangeley gives you lakes, mountains and far fewer people. Acadia gives you color against granite and open Atlantic, at the cost of significant crowds on the Park Loop Road.
How long does peak foliage last in Maine?
One to two weeks in any given location, though the best of it is shorter. Wind and heavy rain can end peak color abruptly, so it’s worth building a little flexibility into your dates.
Is Maine foliage better than Vermont or New Hampshire?
Maine’s advantage is range. Because peak color takes about five weeks to cross the state, your dates are far less likely to be wrong here than in a smaller state with a narrower window. Maine is also the only place in New England where you can see hardwood color set against open ocean.
When should I book a Maine foliage trip?
For the northern regions — Moosehead, Rangeley, Baxter — book by midsummer, as lodging is limited and fills months ahead. For the coast and southern Maine, several weeks out is usually sufficient.
Do these dates change year to year?
Peak timing in Maine has held remarkably steady over more than a decade of records. A warm September can push it later by several days, and a cold snap can pull it earlier, but the windows above are a reliable planning guide. Use them to book, then check the Maine Forest Service weekly reports for live conditions once the season begins.