8 Inland Maine Spots That Will Make You Forget About the Coast
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When I tell people that I grew up in Maine, I usually get one of two responses: “We went there on vacation once!” Or, “Oh, I’d LOVE to visit Maine!”
It’s no wonder Maine’s nickname is Vacationland—it’s an awesome place to visit. But the majority of visitors have experienced just one small slice of Maine life: its rocky coastline and charming seaside towns.
They never see what is, in my mind, quintessentially Maine: stunning mountains, freshwater escapes, and endless miles of nature.
I grew up traipsing around these back Maine woods.
To be honest, I’m pretty sure my dad refused to believe the popular Maine expression, “You can’t get there from here.”
We explored all corners of the state guided only by our beat-up DeLorme Atlas and a sense of adventure: hiking and camping in western Maine, searching for the best waterfall swimming holes, enjoying summer days at the lake, and otherwise living life in our central Maine town.
So if you asked me for advice about places to visit in Maine, I’d offer a long list of spots far inland.
Don’t get me wrong—Maine’s iconic coast is stunning and well worth the visit. Its renown is well-deserved.
But for all the nature lovers who want to soak up the stillness found in the woods and mountains and enjoy nature without tripping over hordes of people, I recommend heading to some inland Maine destinations.
(They might just make you forget all about that icy salt water and craggy shoreline!)
Trip Planning Resources
✨ Find Hotels via Booking.com
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✨ Book Tours + Attractions via GetYourGuide
✨ Find Hotels via Booking.com
✨ Search for Home Rentals via VRBO
✨ Book Tours + Attractions via GetYourGuide
Mount Kineo on Moosehead Lake
Oddly juxtaposed with a golf course on what is virtually an island (a peninsula with no public road access), Mount Kineo State Park sits on the water’s edge on Moosehead Lake.
The mountain appears small in size, but its foreboding cliffs tower over the lake as you approach on the ferry, hinting at the steep climb ahead.
For much of the hike, the sounds of Maine’s largest lake—rhythmic waves, motorboats, and float planes taking off—continue to remind you of where you are, even when you’ve lost sight of the water.
When you reach the summit, you may momentarily regret the decision to climb the fire tower’s precarious stairs, but if you hold on tight to the railings and move quickly, you’ll be rewarded with 360-degree views of unspoiled Maine beauty. (I would have been quite nervous to do this if there had not been other people around.)
Quick things to know:
- You’ll need cash for the ferry from Rockwood ($15 adults, shuttle info here), as well as the entrance fee as this is a state park ($3 – $4 adults, fee info here).
- To get any views at the summit, you have to climb the fire tower as the peak is covered in trees.
- On the way up, the best views are from Indian Trail, but it’s steep. I recommend taking a longer, less steep trail on the way down, such as North Trail to Carriage Trail (what I hiked) or Bridle Trail. Check Maine Trail Finder for a great overview of trail options.
- I highly recommend checking All Trails for comments from other hikers on current trail conditions.
Whitewater Rafting on the Kennebec River
If you want to head inland but still crave thrashing waves, whitewater rafting on the Kennebec River is the perfect way to spend a day in western Maine.
The top section of the river is a thrilling ride for any adventure seeker, and the bottom section offers fun for the less intrepid. (To give you an idea, I started rafting the bottom section when I was around seven or eight years old.)
Instead of the steady rhythm of ocean waves, the white water rapids toss your boat as they wish.
As you make your way through a rocky gorge flanked by pine trees, don’t get too distracted by the scenery, or you may end up swimming through Class III and IV rapids.
Trust the guide, dig your paddle in hard, and enjoy the unpredictable ride.
When should you visit Maine? Head here for my month-by-month guide to the best time to visit.
Moxie Falls
The momma of all waterfalls in Maine, Moxie is a must after a day of rafting the Kennebec in the summer, to enjoy the spring runoff, or as a beautiful fall family hike.
The trail to Moxie Falls is fairly easy, but it will make you feel like you’re deep in the woods, surrounded only by nature.
Because, well, you are.
And that’s the beauty of getting away from the tourist traps on the coast—you get to see Maine’s beauty in its natural state, away from the crowds.
Tips for Visiting Inland Maine
- Cell reception is spotty or nonexistent in many places. Download offline maps (even better, get a physical map).
- Extremely important: do not trust Google Maps directions as it will take you down dirt roads of all conditions. You need an atlas to tell you what kind of road you’re taking.
- The one and only atlas that Mainers rely on is the DeLorme Atlas and Gazetteer. It’s an absolute essential for getting off the beaten path in Maine (dirt roads or not)!
- Watch out for moose while driving, especially from dusk until dawn. Inland Maine is prime moose territory! They do not move out of the road quickly like deer, and you usually don’t see their eyes reflecting like other wildlife since they are so tall.
- For hiking, I use and highly recommend AllTrails to download the offline maps beforehand.
- Bug spray, bug spray, bug spray. Find out more on my Maine packing essentials guide.
Smalls Falls Rest Area
One thing you should know about western Maine is that there are no highways.
What many “outta-statah’s” would consider back roads are simply roads to Mainers. Roads that they’re not afraid to drive down at 60 miles per hour, passing logging trucks as they keep an eye out for moose.
But the best part of some western Maine roads?
It’s the way they meander along rivers and streams, begging you to pull over and jump into the first swimming hole you see.
Luckily for everyone, there’s an actual rest area with a picnic area and easy waterfall access. (Smalls Falls was one of our favorite summer day trips growing up!)
Grab your bathing suit, fill your cooler, and head to Smalls Falls to spend a day enjoying one of the best waterfall swimming holes in Maine.
Got a trip to Maine on your bucket list? Pin this post to your travel board on Pinterest to keep it bookmarked!
Mount Katahdin in Baxter State Park
A list of inland Maine’s incredible beauty wouldn’t be complete without mentioning its highest and most challenging peak.
When you see Katahdin in person, you’ll understand why the Penobscots gave it a name that means the greatest mountain.
There are various trails and several peaks, as well as remote campsites throughout Baxter State Park.
Tip: This is one spot on the list that is both well-known and well-traveled, but the crowds are somewhat restricted by limited day parking. Make sure you plan ahead and reserve a parking spot online well in advance. Find out more here.
Cathedral Pines Campground
Cathedral Pines is the campground by which I measure all other campgrounds.
As the name implies, it’s built in a forest of towering pines that create a beautiful canopy overhead.
Some birch and other trees are scattered underneath, but the only trees you’ll notice are the red pines, which make the campsites feel both spacious and private. The best campsites are on the waterfront where you can enjoy the call of loons as you go to sleep and the stillness of the lake in the morning as you sip your camp coffee.
Cool off with a swim in the lake, ride your bike around the grounds all day, relax in a hammock with a book, go moose watching at dusk, or take a day hiking trip in the nearby Bigelow range.
Recommended
Maine Wall Art
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Gulf Hagas
While the moniker “Grand Canyon of the East” might be a stretch, Gulf Hagas is certainly worthy of attention. Part of the 100 Mile Wilderness section of the Appalachian Trail and a national natural landmark, this 8-mile waterfall trail is a spectacular hike in western Maine that shouldn’t be missed.
(And it gets bonus points from me because it’s where I got engaged!)
Any Lake, Anywhere
Maine summers aren’t complete without heading “upta camp.”
Translation: going to a cabin on a lake.
Maine has a strong “cabin culture,” although we call them camps regardless of how rustic or fancy they are. (Whatever you do, don’t call them lake houses or summer homes. They will assume you got lost on your way to the coast if you ask about a summer home.)
This cabin culture means that many people have a camp in their family or have friends with one.
But for visitors, there are plenty available for rent on lakes all across Maine. (Note: They are usually called cabins or lake houses on Airbnb and VRBO, since “camp” is a very specific Maine term.)
Renting a camp is a great way to get a taste of Maine summer life, and I highly recommend it if you’re looking for a fun, nature-filled escape.
Days at the lake are simple, spent listening to the splashes of cannonballs and screams of kids pushing each other off the dock, the echoes of loon calls floating across the water, and motor boats buzzing around all day.
It’s the stuff Maine summers are made of.
Even if you don’t rent a camp, you can still get a taste of lake life by going camping (Lily Bay State Park, Cathedral Pines, or Peaks Kenney State Park are just a few), or just heading to the (lake) beach for the day.
Where to Find a Waterfront Cabin in Maine
It might be overwhelming to know where to start looking for rentals since Maine has so many beautiful lakes, but here are a few lakes I’m familiar with:
- Airbnb on Sebago Lake: I stayed here in the winter, and the house was gorgeous. It was quite close to other houses/camps, so not as much privacy as you might find other places. ✨ Find more Sebago Lake properties on VRBO.
- Airbnb in central Maine: This property is beautiful! I haven’t stayed here but I’m extremely familiar with this area and lake. It’s a very family-friendly area, but also know it’s quite off-the-beaten-path.
- Pushaw Lake is pretty close to Bangor, so this could be a good base camp for day trips all over Maine. ✨ Search Pushaw Lake camps.
- While I haven’t been there, I’ve heard Kezar Lake in southern Maine is beautiful! ✨ Find waterfront cabins on Kezar Lake.
Map of Top Things to Do in Western Maine
This list is just the beginning of the incredible beauty of inland Maine! Have you been to any of these off-the-beaten-path places in Maine? Any other places in this part of Maine you’d recommend? Let me know in the comments!