What a year it’s been! We may not have anticipated the year we’ve all experienced, but we’ve tried to make the best of it. Especially when it comes to exploring Maine and remembering why we love this state so much. No matter the time of year, it’s always nice to get out and appreciate Vacationland, and seeing these natural attractions is a great way to do it!
- The Height of Land, Rangeley
loonyhiker / Flickr Take Route 17 to access the Rangeley Lakes Scenic Byway. Along the way, you’ll come to the Height of Land. Get out and take in that view! You’ll see just about all of Mooselookmeguntic Lake.
- The Bar Island Trail, Bar Harbor
jstephenconn / Flickr Connecting Bar Harbor with Bar Island this trail is accessible for just 3 hours every day during low tide. Taking it is a great way to explore the coast and see just what gets left when the tide recedes. But be careful to time things right so you’re not on the wrong side when the tide comes rushing back! You can learn more about it by clicking here!
- Mount Katahdin, Baxter State Park
supercell / Flickr Head to Baxter State Park to check out Maine’s most famous mountain. Its name comes from the Penobscot Indians and means “The Greatest Mountain." It towers over the park where people come from all over to hike to the summit, including those who have hiked the entire Appalachian Trail. Typically taking at least 10-hours, this hike is definitely not for newbie hikers.
- The Cutler Coast, Bay of Fundy
VW Beetle / Flickr Also known as “The Bold Coast,” this wildly rocky area feels totally untamed. The cliffs and shores are exactly what you’d expect of Maine and, while not terribly out of the way the 12,000 acres of preserve here feel remote. Visit by traveling Route 191 between Cutler and Lubec. You can learn more by clicking here!
- The Reversing Falls, Pembroke
maineforestcafe / Flickr This unexpected waterfall might seem like magic, but like all cool things it all comes down to science. Head to Pembroke Falls State Park to see Maine’s dramatic tidal changes in action. The tide here rises an average of 20 feet every 6.5 hours sending water in and out of Dennys Bay and Whiting Bay. The rush of water through the narrow area between Mahar Point and Falls Island creates what appears to be a waterfall that runs in the opposite direction of the current.
- Gulf Hagas, Katahdin Iron Works Park State Park
thomascook / Flickr Also known as the Grand Canyon of Maine, this gorge area was carved out over time by the Western Branch of the Pleasant River. The is comprised of about three miles of natural land with vertical slate walls creating lots of waterfalls along the way.
- Bubble Rock, Acadia National Park
thegaffneys / Flickr This strange rock sits perched on the edge of a cliff. It looks like it will fall at any moment, but giving it a push won’t do a thing! It’s actually a “glacial erratic” left by ice age activity a very, very long time ago. Geologists say that glaciers carried Bubble Rock to its precarious perch all the way from Lucerne, Maine which is about 30 miles away! Check it out by taking the hike up South Bubble. Click here to learn more about it.
- Thunder Hole, Acadia National Park
kim_carpenter_nj / Flickr Thunder Hole might be the most booming attraction in Acadia! It’s so named from the thunderous noise that’s made when air escapes from a sea cave after being trapped by the incoming tide. It’s not uncommon to see people gathered here just waiting to witness it.
What are some of your favorite natural attractions here in Maine? Let us know and we’ll check them out! They might even end up in a future article. And once you’ve seen what nature can do, how about appreciating what humans can get done? Here are 10 pieces of architectural brilliance that could wow anyone!
loonyhiker / Flickr
Take Route 17 to access the Rangeley Lakes Scenic Byway. Along the way, you’ll come to the Height of Land. Get out and take in that view! You’ll see just about all of Mooselookmeguntic Lake.
jstephenconn / Flickr
Connecting Bar Harbor with Bar Island this trail is accessible for just 3 hours every day during low tide. Taking it is a great way to explore the coast and see just what gets left when the tide recedes. But be careful to time things right so you’re not on the wrong side when the tide comes rushing back! You can learn more about it by clicking here!
supercell / Flickr
Head to Baxter State Park to check out Maine’s most famous mountain. Its name comes from the Penobscot Indians and means “The Greatest Mountain." It towers over the park where people come from all over to hike to the summit, including those who have hiked the entire Appalachian Trail. Typically taking at least 10-hours, this hike is definitely not for newbie hikers.
VW Beetle / Flickr
Also known as “The Bold Coast,” this wildly rocky area feels totally untamed. The cliffs and shores are exactly what you’d expect of Maine and, while not terribly out of the way the 12,000 acres of preserve here feel remote. Visit by traveling Route 191 between Cutler and Lubec. You can learn more by clicking here!
maineforestcafe / Flickr
This unexpected waterfall might seem like magic, but like all cool things it all comes down to science. Head to Pembroke Falls State Park to see Maine’s dramatic tidal changes in action. The tide here rises an average of 20 feet every 6.5 hours sending water in and out of Dennys Bay and Whiting Bay. The rush of water through the narrow area between Mahar Point and Falls Island creates what appears to be a waterfall that runs in the opposite direction of the current.
thomascook / Flickr
Also known as the Grand Canyon of Maine, this gorge area was carved out over time by the Western Branch of the Pleasant River. The is comprised of about three miles of natural land with vertical slate walls creating lots of waterfalls along the way.
thegaffneys / Flickr
This strange rock sits perched on the edge of a cliff. It looks like it will fall at any moment, but giving it a push won’t do a thing! It’s actually a “glacial erratic” left by ice age activity a very, very long time ago. Geologists say that glaciers carried Bubble Rock to its precarious perch all the way from Lucerne, Maine which is about 30 miles away! Check it out by taking the hike up South Bubble. Click here to learn more about it.
kim_carpenter_nj / Flickr
Thunder Hole might be the most booming attraction in Acadia! It’s so named from the thunderous noise that’s made when air escapes from a sea cave after being trapped by the incoming tide. It’s not uncommon to see people gathered here just waiting to witness it.
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Address: Height of Land, ME-17, Roxbury, ME 04275, USAAddress: Bar Island Trail, Sorrento, ME, USAAddress: Mount Katahdin, Mt Katahdin, Northeast Piscataquis, ME 04462, USAAddress: ME-191, Cutler, ME 04626, USAAddress: Reversing Falls Park, Reversing Falls Rd, Pembroke, ME 04666, USAAddress: Gulf Hagas Trailhead, Katahdin Iron Works Rd, Monson, ME 04464, USAAddress: Bubble Rock, Park Loop Rd, Mt Desert, ME 04660, USAAddress: Thunder Hole, Bar Harbor, ME 04609, USA
