It's hard not to love Fall in Maine with the chilly nights, sunny days, smells of apples in the air, leaves changing and endless opportunities for outdoor fun. They call it vacationland for a reason, but our family is so blessed to call this place home. While most people think of Summer as the ideal window to visit or to enjoy the great outdoors here, in my opinion Fall in Maine has just as much to offer. I've partnered with the The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (MDIFW) to share our favorite outdoor activities for the Fall. Here's some of the activities on our Maine outdoor bucket list this fall:
Visit the Maine Wildlife Park
This is a favorite of our kiddos and we always visit at least once every season. The park remains open until November 11th with some fun activities coming this fall including a Rick Charette concert and Halloween festivities. The Maine Wildlife Park is owned and operated by the MDIFW and is home to over 30 species of Maine wildlife that cannot be returned to their natural habitats. My boys love to explore everything but seeing the Moose, and feeding the bears and fish are definitely their favorites.
Apple Picking
Fall is Maine just wouldn't be the same without apple picking! The smells, the scenery with the changing leaves, the yummy goodies at the local orchards and of course all the treats we make with the apples are all a right of passage of the season. For us apple picking is usually leads us to other fall musts like leaf peeping or hiking.
Take a Fall Fishing Trip
We are water people, and fishing trips for us don't end with summer. We make it a point to bundle up for a day on the water. Fall fishing also gives you a great perspective from the lake or ocean of the changing seasons.
Canoe or Kayak the Scarborough Marsh
We've been doing a lot of kayaking and paddle boarding at Long Pond and on the ocean, but I've added kayaking or canoeing the Scarborough Marsh to our list for Fall. It's so close to home and I haven't done it in years. I know my boys would have a blast navigating through the marsh and seeing all the amazing wildlife.
Moose Watching
Full disclosure, this picture was my son getting a close look at at a moose at the Maine Wildlife Park but my kids are dying to see one in the wild. We'd love to incorporate some moose watching with a camping trip up north! If you haven't already, check of the MDIFW's YouTube channel, they have some really cool videos including this neat moose survey.
Family Foliage Hikes
My boys have a lot of energy - I love finding nature trails and small mountains to get us all outside, exploring and moving. With a variety of trail lengths and a great playground at the base, Bradbury Mountain is a local favorite.
Visit a Local Fish Hatchery
If your kiddos are like mine and love fishing, definitely add a trip a local hatchery to your list. Every year, MDIFW's eight hatcheries produce more than 1 million brook trout, brown trout, lake trout, splake, rainbow trout, and landlocked salmon. You can read more about the hatcheries and the eight locations here.
Fall Fairs & Festivals
Another rite of passage for fall, we love visiting local fairs and festivals. In Maine we are lucky to have a great mix or harvest and agricultural festivals in all pockets of the state.
Camping Trips
Last year we purchased a travel trailer and we are eager to do more exploring of state parks and other Maine campgrounds. Summer has been a busy one for us; we're hoping to take advantage of Fall camping which tends to be light on crowds and big scenery and exploring.
About MDIFW
The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife is made up of biologists, game wardens, and educators all in on a common mission: responsible, safe enjoyment of the Maine outdoors.The work they do to enhance, preserve, and protect the future of Maine's natural resources is vital and as an outdoor family, we are grateful. MDIFW is also a great resource for enjoying the outdoors. You can checkout their website, and also follow them on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter.
FUN Contest!
MDIFW will be hosting a monthly Instagram photo contest from August through November 2019. Whether you're a Mainer or a visitor, share your photos on Instagram of how you enjoy Maine’s outdoors, tag @mefishwildlife and include the #AllinfortheMaineOutdoors hashtag to be entered for a chance to win a MDIFW prize pack valued at over $250.
What are your favorite outdoor adventures for fall? I'd love to hear about them in the comments. thanks as always for stopping by!
What are your favorite outdoor adventures for fall? I'd love to hear about them in the comments. thanks as always for stopping by!
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Rebecca
This post is sponsored by The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (MDIFW). I am excited to partner with them and share their mission to preserve, protect, and enhance the inland fisheries and wildlife resources in our great state!