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 |