Maine RV Vacation

Maine's Rocky Coast

Spring to fall is the perfect time to pack your traveling gear into an RV and adventure out along Maine’s beautiful coast. This state is most popular for its rugged coastal landscapes and the charming fishing villages along the way. Begin your RV trip in Ellsworth, Maine. The town, founded in 1800, is the ideal gateway for many amazing sights. Although not a part of this particular vacation route, Acadia National Park may warrant a visit while you are in the area.

Leave Ellsworth heading north on Highway 1 until you come to Maine Highway 186, a loop that takes you on Schoodic Scenic Byway to Schoodic Point. You must not forget your camera because you will have many regrets if you don’t catch some shots of the pounding surf and rocky shores. You’ll see islands offshore, all different sizes and shapes, such as Pond and Rolling Islands.

Winter Harbor is a great place to stop and rest from driving. You can see the active fleet of lobster boats and strike up conversations with local fishermen. This classic village on Maine’s lovely coast offers amazing views from its western shore. You will see harbors where boats take refuge and trawlers wait for the right conditions to take to sea. Prospect Harbor is one of these great waterways.

Stop and wander the streets of Corea, Maine to really experience this charming fishing village. This community is well worth the time to explore. It’s on the Gouldsboro Peninsula, with quiet spots to sit and reflect on all the scenery you’ve seen so far. There is more to come. The town of Gouldsboro is a place to stop and perhaps enjoy a dinner in one of the fine restaurants. Maybe you will even be up for a kayaking tour or a nightly concert.

Columbia Falls will welcome you with open arms. Visit the Ruggles House to get a flavor of life in Columbia Falls in the mid-1800s. Amazing and intricate woodwork is one of the sights to see in this historic home. When you reach Maine Highway 187 as you continue up Highway 1, you will turn and head out on this loop along the water’s edge.

An RV trip wouldn’t be complete without some exciting new adventure. If you’ve never taken a kayak trip before, now is the time to try it out. Paddling around Head Harbor Island and Steele’s Harbor Island will have you hooked on a new hobby. You can recover from the excitement in Jonesport, the heart of Maine’s rugged coastline. This small fishing village is the ideal place to breathe the fresh Maine ocean air and enjoy the quiet and solitude.

After leaving Jonesport, you will pass Englishman Bay where photo opportunities abound. Miss getting in a swim while you’ve been enjoying the scenery? The best place to don your swim gear and take advantage of saltwater or freshwater swimming is at Roque Bluffs State Park. Now your outdoor recreation can start in earnest. Take a hike along the cliffs, beach comb along the beaches. There are plenty of coves you can explore on a canoe or kayak. Find RV camping at the Sunset Point Campground in Harrington Maine. They accommodate RVs of any size and for a reasonable price. They provide free WiFi and there’s a laundry room so you can wash your traveling clothes.

The first naval battle of the American Revolution caused Fort O’Brien to be built on these shores. It is worth your time to stop by the Fort O’Brien State Historic Site to see where we protected our country during three separate wars. Then move on to the Moosehorn National Wildlife Reserve where you will see waterfowl, game birds, wading birds and more, all protected in this Atlantic flyway.

You are getting close to the end of your trip in Calais, Maine, but it isn’t over yet. Many adventures await you in Shackford Head State Park. If you are a birder, you will love hiking the trails to see a wide variety of bird life, including bald eagles. Even if you don’t do a lot of bird watching, you’ll certainly love the views all the way to Canada.

When you reach Calais, Maine, you can stop for some shopping, and perhaps travel over the border into Canada for additional fun and to make more memories. The choice is yours. You have experienced some of the best of Maine and now can call your RV adventure at an end. There are other vacations when you can return and do it all over again.

Picture credits: The picture of the coast of Maine is from the Wikimedia Commons. It is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported license.

An RV vacation in the endless beauty of Maine’s North Woods leaves visitors breathless, stunned by the scenery, the pristine forests and the wide array of outdoor recreation available. Driving the Old Canada Road Scenic Byway gives you the best of the best of all of these.

If coming from Boston, Massachusetts, take Interstate 95 north through New Hampshire into Maine. After you pass the Waterville exit, you will come to Route 201, and you turn north to start your adventure through the natural setting of Maine’s wilderness landscapes.

When you plan on enjoying some fishing or hunting during your Maine RV trip, be sure to get your state license before you leave. You’ll be fully prepared and won’t have to put off having some fun out there in the wilderness.

As you move along Route 201, you will be following the same path as the Abenaki Indians when they did their trading in the north. Abenaki lands extended across much of northern New England and into southern Quebec. You’ll also have the opportunity to see the abundant wildlife wandering through the forests, across mountain ridges and by the rivers.

Once through Lakewood, Maine, you will soon reach Solon. The woods around Solon provide some great hunting, if this is what you are looking for in outdoor excitement. You may get to have the thrill of bagging a bear on this trip. The 13-mile-long Wyman Lake is a spot you shouldn’t miss, particularly if you enjoy boating and fishing. Throw in a line and catch some yellow perch, sunfish or rainbow trout.

Next stop? Moxie Mountain, a 2920-foot peak where hiking is perfect for those ready for some strenuous exercise. Climbing to the summit will put you in touch with some views, time to catch your breath and reflect. Back in your RV to head for Caratunk and the Appalachian Trail. This is likely one of the finest hiking trails in the U.S., with miles of it to experience right in Maine. You don’t have to hike all of its more than 2,000 miles. Just a few miles is enough to impress.

Visit the spot where two rivers meet – The Forks. Here the Kennebec River and Dead River converge and provide opportunities for some exciting whitewater rafting. In the winter, you’ll discover snowmobile trails to explore, and wonderful hiking or ATV riding in the summer months.

Ten miles north of Caratunk, discover Moxie Falls with its gorgeous 30-yard cascade. The falls is only a couple miles east of Route 201 and easy to access, with a short hike from parking. This scenic waterfall is the tallest waterfall in Maine and a must-see. Head a little way downstream for some delightful swimming, but be warned, it is a challenging scramble over rocks to get there.

As you approach Jackman, Maine, you’ll discover majestic mountains just waiting for you to climb, hike or simply enjoy the view. Coburn Mountain at over 3,700 feet presents some challenging adventures. Bring your camera and a picnic lunch to the summit. Stop later in Jackman for dinner and supplies. In March you can take in a sled dog race. The Northeast Championship Sled Dog Race will leave you breathless, even if you aren’t participating.

Find a multitude of hiking trails in the Jackman and Forks region to test your skills. From moderate to difficult, these mountains will inspire you to get out and stretch your legs – and the rest of you! Choose among Sally Mountain, Boundary Bald Mountain or Cold Stream Falls, the most remote. Other activities you can substitute for hiking include picnicking at the Attean View rest area or sitting by the Moose River to watch the sun go down.

A side-trip for a complete RV vacation experience would be to take Highway 6 to Moosehead Lake. Escape from workaday cares and worries by relaxing lakeside and enjoying the clear waters surrounded by serene forested hills. To finish your trip, you go back to Route 201 and drive north until you reach Sandy Bay at the international border with Canada.

You have made it to the end of your journey and are ready to begin the drive back, stopping at all the sights you may have missed the first time. The Old Canada Road Scenic Byway by RV is certainly a trip you must make, summer or winter, for some of the most beautiful scenery and outdoor recreation available in the northeast United States.