Illustration
State guide
When to catch Maine'snatural highlights
When is the best time to see nature in Maine?
The peaks we can name in Maine each belong to a place, not the whole state. In spring, migrating birds at Sieur de Monts in Acadia (the end of April to the beginning of June); in fall, color peaks first in the north, at Aroostook Refuge (early October), then at Moosehorn Refuge and Acadia (mid-October).
Each card below gives the source's own words and where they apply.
Checked Sep 30. Sources (4)
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, A fall foliage tour of the Northeast ↗ (opens in a new tab)
- National Park Service, Birding Isle au Haut (Acadia) ↗ (opens in a new tab)
- National Park Service, Birding Sieur de Monts (Acadia) ↗ (opens in a new tab)
- National Park Service, Acadia weather ↗ (opens in a new tab)
- National Park Service sources: no claim to original U.S. Government works.
The peaks through the year
Named places, in their sources' words; not statewide dates
- Spring migration at Sieur de Monts · Acadia
the end of April to the beginning of June
Sieur de Monts in Acadia, on Mount Desert Island
“The best time of year to bird at Sieur de Monts is during the spring migration, the end of April to the beginning of June.”
- Migrating birds on Isle au Haut · Acadia
May or August
Isle au Haut, the park's island unit off Stonington, reached only by ferry; not Mount Desert Island
“This means the best time to visit the island is May or August.”
- Fall color · Acadia
mid-October
Acadia National Park
“The peak generally comes in mid-October.”
- Fall color at Aroostook Refuge
early October
Aroostook National Wildlife Refuge, northern Maine
“Aroostook National Wildlife Refuge : Peaks early October”
- Fall color at Moosehorn Refuge
mid October
Moosehorn National Wildlife Refuge, Down East Maine
“Moosehorn National Wildlife Refuge : Peaks mid October”
On one calendar
Approximate months; the cards above give the timing
- Spring migration at Sieur de MontsBest viewing: the end of April to the beginning of June
- Migrating birds on Isle au HautBest viewing: May or August
- Fall colorUsual peak: mid-October
- Fall color at Aroostook RefugeUsual peak: early October
- Fall color at Moosehorn RefugeUsual peak: mid October
Solid: a usual peak, the best viewing time or when animals are most numerous. Hatched: a broader season, never a peak.
Pick a part of Maine
9 places we follow
Coast
- AcadiaFall foliage · Spring migration
- Camden Hills State ParkFall foliage
- Ferry Beach State ParkFall foliage
- Rachel Carson RefugeFall foliage · Winter wildlife
- Moosehorn RefugeFall foliage
North Woods and Aroostook
- Katahdin Woods and WatersFall foliage
- Aroostook RefugeFall foliage
- Aroostook State ParkFall foliage
Western mountains
- Mount Blue State ParkFall foliage
Maine on one map
Every place we follow here; tap one for its events
Browse by season and event
- Fall foliage · 9 places hereIn Maine →Everywhere →
- Spring migration · 1 place hereIn Maine →Everywhere →
- Winter wildlife · 1 place hereIn Maine →Everywhere →
Park guides and towns to stay in
Towns: straight-line distances on their own pages
Park guides
Maine in pictures
Illustrative photos, not current conditions
How we know
Every timing above, from these pages
- Sep 30Park ServiceBest spring birding from the end of April to the beginning of June; Jesup Path, Hemlock Road and Wild Gardens PathSource (opens National Park Service, Birding Sieur de Monts (Acadia) in a new tab)
- Sep 30Park ServiceIsle au Haut, off Stonington and reached only by ferry, is a migratory stopover; the best time to visit is May or AugustSource (opens National Park Service, Birding Isle au Haut (Acadia) in a new tab)
- Sep 28Park ServiceFall color usually peaks in mid-OctoberSource (opens National Park Service, Acadia weather in a new tab)
- Sep 28Park ServiceUsual peak by refuge: early October at Aroostook, Nulhegan Basin and Missisquoi; mid-October at Moosehorn, Rachel Carson and Great Bay (marsh)Source (opens U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, A fall foliage tour of the Northeast in a new tab)
- National Park Service sources: no claim to original U.S. Government works.