New England · Down East to the North Woods · Statehood 1820
Maine
State
Field Guide
A rocky Atlantic coastline with more than 3,000 miles of shore, the northern end of the Appalachian Trail, and a woods so big and quiet that most of the state is forest. Maine is long, and it rewards a slow drive.
Updated October 2026 · Written by artist Nick Scacco
Classic Experiences
01.
Mount Desert Island · Down East
Watch Sunrise on Acadia's Cadillac Mountain
Acadia National Park packs granite summits, spruce forest and Atlantic surf onto a single island. Cadillac Mountain is the highest point on the US Atlantic coast and a famous sunrise spot; in peak season the summit road requires a timed vehicle reservation, so book ahead. Drive the 27-mile Park Loop Road past Thunder Hole and Sand Beach, then finish at Jordan Pond House for a popover on the lawn. Bar Harbor is the main base.
02.
Cape Elizabeth · Fort Williams Park
Visit Portland Head Light
Maine's oldest lighthouse stands on a rocky headland at Fort Williams Park, first lit in 1791 under President Washington. It is one of the most photographed lighthouses in the country for good reason: white tower, red-roofed keeper's house, and surf crashing over dark ledge. Walk the cliff paths, watch the ships head into Portland harbor, and then drive back into town for a lobster roll. Winter storms put on the best show.
03.
North Woods · Baxter State Park
Hike Katahdin in Baxter State Park
Katahdin is Maine's highest mountain and the northern end of the Appalachian Trail. The route across its Knife Edge ridge is serious, exposed hiking for experienced hikers in good weather. Baxter State Park is a gift from Governor Percival Baxter, and it is managed as wilderness: day-use parking at popular trailheads is reservation-based, so plan in advance. If the summit is not for you, Chimney Pond and the park's lakes make good easier days.
Little-Known Gem
West Quoddy Head: the Easternmost Point
Lubec · Washington County · Down East Maine
At the far northeastern corner of the state, a red-and-white candy-striped lighthouse marks the easternmost point of the contiguous United States. The current tower dates to 1858 and sits within Quoddy Head State Park, with a short coastal trail along the cliffs and, in summer, whales and seabirds offshore. Almost nobody makes the long drive past Acadia to see it. The nearby town of Lubec, with its working waterfront, makes a quiet base.
Maine Travel Questions
What are the best places to visit in Maine?
Three classics are Acadia National Park on Mount Desert Island, Portland Head Light in Cape Elizabeth, and Mount Katahdin in Baxter State Park. West Quoddy Head, the easternmost point in the contiguous US, is the quieter gem.
Do I need a reservation for Cadillac Mountain?
In peak season the Cadillac Summit Road requires a timed vehicle reservation. Check the National Park Service page before you go.
When is the best time to visit Maine?
Late spring through early fall is the main season for the coast and for Acadia. Baxter State Park is best from June to October.