Maine Stories

MAINE - Maine's 12 national and state scenic byways cover more than 500 miles of roadway through beautiful coastal and inland landscapes. Each byway has natural attractions providing detours from a short walk to recreation opportunities that could fill a weekend.

Grafton Notch State Park is a destination for many travelers on the Route 26 Grafton Notch Scenic Byway. The park's Moose Cave is a boulder cave within a 200-foot long gorge that has 45-foot tall walls. The byway crosses the Appalachian Trail and passes through the 4,000-foot Mahoosuc Mountain Range.

Near the northern end of the 78-mile Old Canada Road National Scenic Byway (Route 201) take the Attean Rd. before reaching downtown Jackman and drive to the public boat launch on Attean Pond. Paddle along the shore on the right until you reach a series of five campsites on sandy beaches. The last of the sites has a trailhead for 2,200 foot Sally Mountain with panoramic views of the island-studded pond and colorful surrounding hills and mountains.

Donnell Pond Public Reserved Land provides an oasis of recreation along the Blackwoods Road Scenic Byway (Route 182) between the towns of Franklin and Cherryfield. Take a break along the 13-mile byway to paddle in one of Maine's clearest lakes, hike small mountains, camp or fish on a secluded pond, or watch for moose, deer, great gray owls or bald eagles.