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Maine

When to catch Rachel Carson Refugeat its best

Rachel Carson Refuge through the year: fall foliage (usually mid-October) and winter wildlife (local timing: beginning in early July and continuing through early November). Each has its own page with spots, sources and the latest reports.

RIGHT NOW · SEP 30

  • Latest reportNo dated report this season; the posters below show each usual window.
  • This weekend (NWS)Sat sunny, 64°F · Sun mostly sunny, 61°F
  • Park alertsCheck the managing agency before you go

When are you going?

Fall at Rachel Carson Refuge

Where to go at Rachel Carson Refuge

Spots, visitor points and places nearby
  • Fall
  • Winter
Places on this map, as a list
Map: approximate positions; state lines US Census.

Best spots

Where each event's source says to go

Fall foliage

Winter wildlife

  • Carson TrailA mostly level, looped path of about a mile at the Wells headquarters on Port Road, through coastal forest with views of the salt marsh; benches at some of its 11 stops; wheelchair and stroller accessible; leashed pets allowedU.S. Fish and Wildlife Service ↗
  • Timber Point TrailAt the end of Granite Point Road in Biddeford: salt marsh, river and ocean views and an accessible path to an observation platform over the mouth of the Little River; sunrise to sunset, foot traffic only, very limited parkingU.S. Fish and Wildlife Service ↗

Next 7 days at Rachel Carson Refuge

Forecast: National Weather Service
  • TodayPatchy Fog63° / 55°1% rain
  • ThuPatchy Fog then Mostly Sunny69° / 62°2% rain
  • FriMostly Sunny then Chance Rain Showers71° / 55°38% rain
  • SatSunny64° / 47°6% rain
  • SunMostly Sunny61° / 49°32% rain
  • MonSlight Chance Rain Showers62° / 42°24% rain
  • TueSunny56° / 40°2% rain

Today: sunrise 6:38 a.m., sunset 6:26 p.m., light until 6:55 p.m. · moon waning gibbous, 78% lit (our calculation)

Visitor reports, not verified

Been here in the last week? Tell us how the trees looked.

What color were the trees?

Tap the one that looks most like what you saw.

One report per place for each day you saw it, no name or email · How reports work · Terms · Privacy

Nearby, and when they peak

Straight-line miles; roads are longer

Towns nearby

Straight-line miles; each town page has frost dates and its nature year

Rachel Carson Refuge in pictures

Illustrative photos, not current conditions
A bright red and gold leaf in fall
A red and gold leaf in fall, Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge. Photo: Bri Benvenuti / USFWS · public domain
A calm tidal river reflecting trees and blue sky, edged by golden marsh grass, with a few trees touched with red
A tidal river winding through salt marsh at Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge (date and exact spot not given; a view of the marsh, not of shorebirds). Photo: Cindy Phillips/USFWS · public domain · resized

Questions people ask

When do the leaves peak?

Mid-October, per the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, which suggests the Timber Point Trail from mid to late October.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, A fall foliage tour of the Northeast ↗ (opens in a new tab)

When should I go to avoid crowds?

Early morning or later in the day. Parking is limited, and those are also the best hours for wildlife.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Rachel Carson NWR, Visit Us ↗ (opens in a new tab)

Can I bring my dog?

Only on the Carson Trail, on a leash.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Rachel Carson NWR, Visit Us ↗ (opens in a new tab)

Can I walk out to Timber Island?

Yes, but only across the land bridge at low tide. Watch the tide, because you can't get back at high tide.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Rachel Carson NWR, Trails ↗ (opens in a new tab)

How we know

Every timing above, from these pages; checked Sep 30