explore Nature's Splendor
in the blazing colors of Fall Foliage in Maine’s Kennebec Valley.
Fall Foliage
If you are day dreaming about a Fall Getaway with striking foliage, craft brews, great local food experiences, and so much more, look no further than Maine’s Kennebec Valley. Beginning around the last week in September, warm-ish days and crisp nights herald the start of Autumn and all that entails.
Many people will tell you that this is the best time of year to visit Maine, and we would likely agree. Temperatures are more moderate, and water temperatures are still warm, making it a great time to paddle and go whitewater rafting. Hiking and visits to a waterfall are still good choices to fill the day. In town the crowds have subsided, but the local shops and restaurants are still hopping and museums and galleries are open and ready to inspire.
When and Where to leaf Peep
Maine’s Kennebec Valley spans three of Maine’s seven foliage zones as tracked by the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation & Forestry. Starting in early September, they begin to track and report on the percentage and intensity of color change in each zone and continue with information on leaf drop as the season progresses.
In the Northern areas of the Kennebec Valley, hillsides begin to blush, with more than half of the trees displaying fall colors near the end of September. The vibrant hues of beech, birch, ash, and maples along Route 6/15 from Jackman across the Moose River Valley to Mount Kineo and Rockwood never fail to impress, evoking a sense of awe and wonder.
The second week in October is generally the best week for peak color in most of Maine’s Kennebec Valley—from The Forks to Waterville. This is the perfect time to enjoy a voyage along the Old Canada Road National Scenic Byway. This portion of Route 201 winds through towns like Bingham, where classic clapboard homes harken back to the 19th and early 20th centuries when lumber barons reigned over the surrounding forest now ablaze with reds and golds.
Usually, the end of that second week and into the third week of October is when the best colors reach down to Augusta, Hallowell, Gardiner, and the surrounding towns. The more agricultural areas of Manchester and Monmouth serve up fantastic foliage. They are home to numerous PYO orchards and farm stands.
The best times to see the best foliage in the area are purely predictions based on past performance and weather projections. If you are planning a visit and have some flexibility, keep up with conditions at MaineFoliage.com. Those coming from further away can count on the second week in October to provide quite the show. However, it may require you to enjoy a scenic drive around some of the towns and villages a bit off the beaten path.
Maine's Foliage Zones
Typical Peak Foliage Weeks
- Zone 6 and Northern half of Zone 5: Last week in September into the first week of October
- Zone 5: Second Week in October
- Zone 3: Second Week into the Third Week in October
Explore Maine's favorite Fall Foliage Route
If you only have time for one leaf peeping drive this Fall, and you want to make it really count, head to this storied Scenic Byway that runs along the mighty Kennebec.
The Old Canada Road National Scenic Byway stretches nearly 78 miles across Maine’s Kennebec Valley from Solon to the Armstrong-Jackman Border Crossing at Sandy Bay Township.
Traveling along the Kennebec River, Wyman Lake, and through The Forks area, where the Dead and Kennebec Rivers converge, travelers are awarded with seemingly endless scenic views of the region’s waterways and mountain vistas. North of The Forks, the road passes through miles of forestland with lots of chances to spot wildlife—maybe even a moose or two.
Rest stops offer informational kiosks and historical markers with scenic pullouts at Attean Overlook and Lake Parlin. North of Jackman, the road is again in the mountains and the great north woods working forest as it heads to the Border and on to Quebec.
Length: 78 Miles | Travel Time: 3 Hours Without Stops
Suggested Stops: Read more here.
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