The Ultimate Guide to a Fall Getaway in Maine

In 2018 I took my first solo trip to go leaf peeping along the East Coast. Turns out I was a bit too early and the leaves hadn’t changed yet. I remember telling myself that I would come back to the East Coast again to catch the fall foliage and I’m so grateful to have been able to do that. In partnership with Visit Maine and Tripscout, I got to explore the Kennebec Valley of Maine and the Maine Highlands region. It was one of the best fall getaways I’ve been on. There is something so special about waking up on a crisp autumn morning to the sounds of nature and the sight of colorful leaves falling. Here’s a detailed guide to where I stayed and everything I did on this trip.

Accommodations

I stayed at two cabins and both were so amazing! The first one is an A-frame cabin located near Lake George in Skowhegan, booked through Airbnb. This A-frame is so cute and very secluded so it provides a peaceful place to relax after a full day of adventures. There is access to a bathhouse on the property as well as a hiking trail that leads you to the lake.

The second cabin I stayed at is the Kingfield Chalet located in Kingfield, Maine. This cabin has everything you need and so much more. It has two bedrooms, one bath, a living room, a loft and a fully equipped kitchen. I really enjoyed drinking tea on the front porch in the morning and cooking in the kitchen with farm fresh ingredients I picked up at Mainely Provisions a local grocery store. This cabin is less than 5 minutes away from downtown Kingfield and is also surrounded by the mountains so it makes the perfect place to explore.

Hiking trails in Monson, Greenville and Kingfield

Monson is the last stop for northbound Appalachian Trail thru-hikers before they continue their journey into the 100-mile wilderness, toward Mount Katahdin. I hiked the Wilson Falls Trail and it was absolutely beautiful. The trail is a 2.5 mile out-and-back trail that takes you through wooded trees alongside Little Wilson Stream. Throughout the hike you can hear the calming sounds of water flowing down the stream and it is very scenic. The trail intersects with the Appalachian Trail and leads you to a stunning waterfall. I highly recommend this hike on your next visit to Maine.

The second hike I went on is The Little Moose Mountain and Little Moose Pond Trail near Greenville, Maine. This is a wonderful 4.3 mile loop that passes by two ponds and over the top of Little Moose Mountain. It is a popular trail and a perfect hike to take in the fall colors. The trail is well marked and takes about 2 hours to complete. The 360 views at the summit are absolutely beautiful and definitely worth the hike. After the hike, I drove up to Moosehead Lake, the largest lake in Maine, and it was beautiful.

The third hike I went on is the Reed Brook Falls Trail in Kingfield, Maine. Reed Brook Falls Trail is 1.1 miles and it only takes about 30 minutes to get to the waterfall. I really enjoyed listening to the sounds of water flow throughout the hike.

Apple Picking at North Star Orchards

North Star Orchards located in Madison, Maine and is a family-run farm located in the western Maine mountains, overlooking the Kennebec River. There is so much to do at the farm in every season including walking through the orchard, picnicking, flying kites, trekking with snowshoes, seeing blooms in the spring and of course picking apples in the Fall.

At the farm store you can purchase pre-picked apples or pick them yourself by the bag. I went apple-picking and was able to fill a whole bag with McIntosh, Cortland and Gala apples. Once I got back to my cozy cabin I got to taste the apples and they were so delicious.

Exploring and Biking in Skowhegan

Skowhegan is a quaint town located by the Kennebec River. I enjoyed drinking coffee at Joe’s Flat Iron Cafe, eating breakfast at The Miller’s Table at Maine Grains, lunch at The Brick House Kitchen and dinner at the Lakewood Inn Restaurant. Unfortunately, The Brick House Kitchen is now permanently closed. If you are in the area you can try other nearby options listed in my blog. Skowhegan Outdoors offers free outdoor programs and free gear rentals in an effort to encourage more people to get outdoors. Through this program I was able to rent out a bike and helmet and ride through one of the many trails available in town. It felt so nice to ride down to the river and it made for a peaceful morning.

Skowhegan is a quaint town located by the Kennebec River. I enjoyed drinking coffee at Joes’s Flat Iron Cafe, eating breakfast at The Miller’s Table at Maine Grains, lunch at The Brick House Kitchen and dinner at the Lakewood Inn Restaurant. Unfortunately, The Brick House Kitchen is now permanently closed. If you are in the area you can try other nearby options listed in my blog. Skowhegan Outdoors offers free outdoor programs and free gear rentals in an effort to encourage more people to get outdoors. Through this program I was able to rent out a bike and helmet and ride through one of the many trails available in town. It felt so nice to ride down to the river and it made for a peaceful morning.

One thing I loved about my time in Maine is that the opportunities to explore are endless. I had a fully packed three days and it’s a trip I will always remember. Whether you decide to spend some time leaf peeping outdoors, chasing waterfalls or enjoying farm-fresh food, Maine is the perfect place for a fall getaway.