AUGUSTA — Foliage viewing, as well as fall camping, location and tips are bing offered by the state Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Conservation. Recommended locations to view fall foliage include: * Androscoggin Riverlands State Park, Turner — Kayak the river along the park. Be prepared for cold water and brisk wind. Put in at the Turner boat launch.
* Camden Hills State Park — Hike or drive to the top of Mt. Battie for fall colors and an ocean view. Or hike the Megunticook Trail, Adams Lookout Trail for a moderate 2.6 mile round trip.
* Wolfe’s Neck Woods Foliage Hike, Freeport.
Some resources to get information about foliage viewing include Maine Foliage Reports by the Maine Forest Service, Forest Trees of Maine by the Maine Forest Service, Natural Heritage Hikes by the Maine Natural Areas Program – a listing of downloadable hike descriptions with the unique ecological, geological and cultural elements encountered on many of Maine’s most.
CAMPING
Camping at State Parks during the fall is on a first-come, first-served basis and customers can continue to camp through Indigenous Peoples Day (Oct. 14) at most park campgrounds.
Those who’d like to camp should contact the park directly to confirm extended camping dates and extent of facilities that will be available. Scenic campsites in remote settings are offered at public lands locations throughout Maine.
Visitors should be self-reliant and capable of camping in an area where they may or may not be able to get ranger assistance or cell hone service. Campers should be aware that hunting is allowed at some state parks at on public lands.
Check hunting season information and wear blaze orange when visiting parks during hunting season.
Some suggestions for public lands camping sites include:
* Deboullie, which offers remote campsites on crystal-clear trout ponds surrounded by low rugged mountains in a sea of forestland in north-central Aroostook County. More than 22 miles of hiking trails await exploration as well as several water-accessed campsites. Call 207-435-7963, the Northern Public Lands Office, to get a copy of the Guide & Map mailed to you.
* Nahmakanta offers an extensive network of hiking trails that lead visitors along lake shores, up to open ledges, and through deep forests in this 43,000-acre public land in Piscataquis County. The Appalachian Trail courses through Nahmakanta and interconnects with miles of hiking trails maintained by Maine Parks and Public Lands. Six pristine water-accessible campsites on Nahmakanta Lake as well as several hike-to campsites are available to paddlers and hikers. Call 207-941-4412, the Eastern Public Lands Office, to have a copy of the Guide & Map mailed to you.
For more information on foliage and camping, visit maine.gov/dacf.
PHOTO: Appalachian Trail through Grafton Notch. (Submitted photo)
