Maine Fall Foliage Colors Reporting Begins Sept. 15

We recently received word from our New England travel neighbors at VisitMaine.com that the Maine Department of Conservation will begin its 52nd season of fall foliage reporting on Sept. 15. 2010.
Maine Forest Service and state park rangers report, in detail, the color changes and leaf drop rates in Maine's seven tracking zones in at least six weekly reports. Each report and an updated foliage map are posted on Maine's official season website www.Mainefoliage.com. You can sign up on the site homepage to receive the weekly reports by e-mail, and fans and followers of the Maine Office of Tourism's Facebook and Twitter (@visitmaine) pages can also get the updates.

We, at The Weekly New England travel and Vacation Blog, highly recommend considering Maine as a New England fall foliage destination. While New Hampshire and Vermont rightfully receive a lot of press for their amazing fall foliage, Maine is also a worthy contender. From the beautiful idyllic inland destinations like Bethel and Rangeley to the coastal splendor of travel spots like Acadia National Park and Camden, we think you'll find Maine to be a wonderful place for fall foliage. But, please, use the Maine foliage reporting tools, first, as each season brings different levels of foliage at specific times during September and October.

Wow, hard to believe the fall foliage season is not too far away!

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Maine Fall Foliage Traditionally Ranks Amongst New England's Best

Article by Eric H. Photo left: A mix of evergreens and hardwood trees creates a colorful display on Songo Pond along Route 5 south of Bethel. Credit: Bethel Area Chamber of Commerce

Maine boasts 7 million acres of forest and more land covered by trees than any other state in the country, so it's no surprise that fall foliage has traditionally held a popular presence amongst locals and travelers.

Granted, Maine has a lot of pine trees, but the reality is that you'll find foliage colors in the myriad other tree species that's every bit as good as the prime-time New England fall foliage players, New Hampshire and Vermont. You just have to know where to go, and when. Additionally, Maine shines colorfully, not only with its inland fall colors, but also at the coast. Any part of the state is capable of turning out vibrant yellow, orange, red and purple hues -- great news for those who prefer the Maine coast. Depending upon location, you can expect the best Maine fall foliage from the last week of September (now!) to the third week of October.

For the latest updates on Maine fall foliage colors, we recommend you check in often at MaineFoliage.com, a state-run site that prides itself on being up-to-date and detailed in its information. For added perspective, we feature a VIsitingNewEngland.com article centering on our take on Maine coastal and inland fall foliage. If you like New Hampshire and Vermont fall foliage, we have no doubt that you'll enjoy Maine's, too!

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The Latest Maine Fall Foliage Updates

Our good friends at MaineFoliage.com report to us that recent evening frosts have sped up the foliage process -- good news for those wishing to leaf peep sooner than later in the "Pine Tree State" (the state's nickname really doesn't give justice to the fall foliage season here).

As of Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2008, The Maine Department of Conservation stated that rangers in far northern Maine have reported observing between 50 and 75 percent peak leaf color in western Aroostook County and the northern portions of Somerset and Piscataquis County. Rangers are also reporting between 30 and 50 percent peak fall leaf color in eastern and southern Aroostook County, northern Penobscot County, and locations north of Rangeley in Franklin County.

Foliage, however, in northern Washington County is low -- 10 to 30 percent peak color -- which is also being reported in the southern part of the county, and in Hancock, Kennebec, Androscoggin and southern Penobscot counties.

The Maine coastline, from Kittery to Belfast, is less than 10 percent toward peak.

The Fish River Scenic Byway in Aroostook County, along Route 11, will have significantly great color for a weekend drive, making it an ideal time to hike or fish at Aroostook State Park in Presque Isle.

Pristine Baxter State Park, the lakes between the park and the town of Millinocket, and the Moosehead Lake region, also should be ideal for the fall foliage crowd during the next week. Reports are also favorable for the northern section of the Old Canada Road National Scenic Byway in Somerset County.

For the most up-to-date fall foliage reports, visit MaineFoliage.com, where visitors can sign up to receive the weekly reports by email or RSS feed.

For more information about events and activities happening in Maine this fall, check out VisitMaine.com.

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