Maine
Maine has a long history of being a great place to go for outdoor adventure travel. Maine has it all with ocean, lakes, mountains, rivers, forests and more.

Biking in Maine

Bicycling opportunities abound in Maine from mountain biking down a ski trail, to leisurely pedaling along a country lane. Take a week-long guided bicycle tour of rural Maine or rent a bike and explore Acadia National Park with its 57 miles of carriage trails and the less-traveled roads of the Schoodic Peninsula. Pedal along the rocky coastline and enjoy a picnic lunch in the shadow of an historic lighthouse. Get off the beaten path on a secluded logging trail or a quiet coastal village lane. Board a ferry and spend the day riding around one of Maine’s many islands in Casco or Penobscot Bays. Bicycle rentals are available throughout the state by the hour or by the day.

Hunting in Maine

Maine’s abundance of game coupled with unspoiled woods and waters make Maine a premier hunting destination. Big game opportunities abound. Maine’s deer herd numbers over 300,000 and the moose population is estimated at 35,000. No other state in the lower 48 surpasses Maine’s bear population of 23,000. Few states can match the quality of a Maine hunt. Hunters have an excellent chance at a trophy and are sure to enjoy the legendary scenery of the Pine Tree State. If it’s upland birds or waterfowl that you are after, the sky is the limit. Maine offers uncountable acres of prime woodcock and grouse habitat. Seasoned duck hunters know that Maine has numerous inland waterfowl opportunities and unequaled sea duck hunting along its storied coastline.

Maine Canoeing & Kayaking (Fresh Water)

The canoe is the perfect craft for exploring Maine. Canoeists can paddle lakes, ponds, and bogs throughout the state, or venture into the protected bays, marshes, and estuaries along the coast. Forests, mountains and lowlands are laced with a vast network of watersheds, offering paddlers a wide range of choices, from gentle current to raging whitewater. Canoe trippers can spend several days paddling and camping on the Allagash, Penobscot, St. John, Moose, St. Croix and Machias rivers without encountering towns and public roads. All these routes travel through pristine woodland rich in wildlife and history, with beautiful primitive campsites along the way. Canoe outfitting, rentals, shuttle services, instruction, and guided trips are available throughout the state. Whatever your interest or ability, you will find a paddler’s paradise in Maine.

Maine Canoeing & Kayaking (Salt Water)

It’s easy to see why the sport of sea kayaking has exploded along the Maine Coast. Maines rugged coastline and 3,000 islands serve up endless exploration opportunities and unmatched coastal scenery. From Kittery to Machias, Maine outfitters offer half-day, full-day and overnight adventures. Kayak rentals are available by the hour or by the day and many outfitters offer informative clinics that will help prepare you for an exciting coastal adventure. But don’t limit yourself to the ocean for outdoor adventure in Maine. Maine has dozens of large lakes that are well suited for sea kayaks such as the 35-mile-long Moosehead Lake.

Maine Cross Country Skiing and Snowshoeing

On a crisp, sparkling winter day, one of the most magical ways to take in Maine’s landscape is to venture out on cross-country skis or snowshoes. There are nearly two dozen commercial cross-country touring centers that offer beautiful well-groomed trails totaling more than 700 kilometers for skiers and snowshoers alike. Tour through Maine’s pine-scented forests, feel the sun’s warmth reflecting off the snow and listen for the chickadees in the clean crisp air. Maine’s cross country ski centers and winter guide services offer gear and access to miles of trails, where you can discover the majesty of a snow-blanketed forest, the wonder of a bright-white expanse of meadow, and the awesome beauty of the crashing blue Atlantic surf. After an exhilarating day on the trail, retreat to one of Maine’s cozy inns, warm yourself by the fire, and rest up for another day on the trails.

Hiking Trails and Outfitters in Maine

Whether conquering Katahdin, backpacking through the woods or just strolling along, Maine offers a spectacular variety of hiking opportunities throughout the state. Seasoned hikers seek out tougher hiking trails and can enjoy overnight camping along the way, while light hikers can find simple hiking trails or walking trails to just idle away a few hours. Located on Mt. Desert Island, Acadia National Park encompasses over 47,000 acres of granite-domed mountains, woodlands, lakes and ponds, and ocean shoreline. Acadia offers 120 miles of hiking trails ranging in difficulty from easy to strenuous. Terrain varies from rugged shoreline and deep woods, to open mountain summits with views of the ocean and outer islands. Hike to the top of Cadillac Mountain to enjoy a spectacular sunrise over Frenchman’s Bay (the first place in the United States to see the sunrise) or explore some of the quieter, more secluded mountain paths. The Appalachian Trail winds 276 miles through Maine, and offers 40 campsites along the way, each about a day’s hike apart. Maine truly has a trail for every hiker. Come experience the great outdoor adventure Maine has to offer.

Snowmobiling in Maine

One of the best ways to enjoy Maine’s stunning landscape is to climb aboard a snowmobile, rev up the engine and ride to your heart’s content. With 12,000 miles of snowmobile trails maintained by more than 280 local snowmobile clubs, you’ll always find new and exciting places to ride. Our extensive trail system offers up incredible scenery as you wind through fragrant pine forests, along crisp mountain streams and across wide-open plains. No gear? No problem. Trailside outfitters can provide everything from helmets and sleds to parts and fuel. And after exploring pristine places unreachable by foot or wheels, you can enjoy Maine’s legendary hospitality at welcoming restaurants, historic lodges and quaint, snow-dusted inns.

Whitewater Rafting in Maine

Maine has three rivers renowned for their breath-taking whitewater and scenery. Two of these, the Kennebec and the Dead, converge at The Forks, a wilderness village five hours north of Boston, that serves as headquarters for most of Maine’s rafting companies. The Penobscot, largest of the three rivers, flows almost in the shadow of Mt. Katahdin, the state’s highest mountain. Unlike most other eastern rivers, whose water volume reaches high levels only during the spring run-off, the Penobscot, the Kennebec and the Dead are dam-controlled and provide high-water rafting from late April through mid-October. Maine rafting continues to grow in popularity each year, meaning it pays to plan and book well ahead.