DESTINATIONS | NEW ENGLAND’ S AUTUMN SHOW
Left: Coastal- View from Cadillac Mountain in Acadia National Park looking toward Bar Harbor and the islands of Frenchman Bay.
Below: Augusta- The main garrison at Old Fort Western in Augusta, Maine
Photos courtesy of Maine Office of Tourism.
Every state has its share of natural attractions, but during the fall, the New England states may be the kings of that court. The highways and byways of the six states provide ample entertainment for the fall foliage viewer alone. But when camping is added to the adventure, the closeness of the natural world in transition is quite a senses-filling treat. Following are recognitions of some of the best New England travel and camping possibilities.
Maine
The largest state of the New England group covers 35,387 square miles. Nearly all of those miles offer an abundance of scenic views and vistas. Popular destinations such as Acadia National Park are warranted to please the adventurer, but the Rangeley region of western Maine beckons autumn visitors. From Exit 75 northbound on the Maine Turnpike / I-95, turn left to Route 4 which leads to Rangeley. From New Hampshire, enter Maine at Gilead on Route 2 and travel east to its intersection with Route 4. Once in the Rangeley region, a 35-mile drive on Routes 4 and 17, titled the Rangeley Lakes National Scenic Byway, has turnouts with picturesque views of lakes and mountains. You also may spot a moose at dawn or dusk, and don’ t bring your trout-catching gear.
A few campgrounds of the area include: Rangeley Lake State Park, offers 50 well-spaced sites; Cupsuptic Campground in
Oquossoc is open year round with canoe and kayak rentals, located on Cupsuptic Lake just west of Rangeley; Black Brook Cove Campground is open through late November on Aziscohos Lake in Lincoln Plantation, located off Route 16, west of Oquossoc and Rangeley.
Augusta is the home of the Maine State Museum and historic Old Fort Western, a National Historic Landmark and America’ s oldest surviving wooden fort. The Kennebec River flowing through Augusta adds to the natural beauty of this stopping point. Canoe and kayak rentals abound through the region, allowing campers to leave the road and view the autumn show among thousands of image-reflecting water bodies.
Call 1-888-624-6345 for Maine travel information.
8 Autumn 2009 |