Grafton Notch State Park occupies 3,129 acres (1,266 hectares) surrounding Grafton Notch, the…read moremountain pass between aldpate Mountain and Old Speck Mountain. The drive to it along ME 26 was beautiful, despite the intense and brutal heat on the day of our first visit. There are roadside turnouts for both Mother Walker Falls and Screw Auger Falls; the water flow at the falls was markedly curtailed due to the current drought conditions. You'll find signage that explains this area's glacial and geologic history. The trails leading to the waterfalls are short and well-marked, with uneven rock and forest flooring. Tip: Apparently Screw Auger Falls is so named because it looks as like someone took a giant auger and drilled large quantities of rock out of this quite sizable granite rock formation formation Tip: Dogs are allowed here for no additional fee. They're permitted throughout the park and on the trails; but not on the beaches I totally enjoyed everything I saw here on my first visit, and have already gone back a week ago. I expect to make visiting this very special destination a regular habit :-)

Grafton Notch State Park, one of Maine's scenic byways, is always going to have a really special…read moreplace in my heart: it's the first time I stepped on the Appalachian Trail! And, I don't know, you don't forget that do you? Screw Auger Falls - Anytime I get the chance to play on rocks and waterfalls, I'm going to! The Bear River has areas of expansive smooth rocks that may or may not be accessible (depends on how much water is flowing). On one side, there's a tinier waterfall; the other side, the gorge where Screw Auger spills down. The rocks here are so interestingly carved and worn because of the years and years (and years) of water washing over them. Mother Walker Falls Turnout - I think this is where The Abandoned Road is, an interesting stone stairway, a wee cave, and some information about "this section of Bear River in the deep gorge below is called Mother Walker Falls. Roaring over broken rocks and falling into little pools, the river gradually drops a total of 98 feet." You can't see much because of the density of the trees. Moose Cave - This is a 1/4 mile loop of mostly packed surface, stairs, some boardwalks and planks, and a few steep drop-offs. There's a reindeer moss garden before Moose Cave which was formed when a great slab of granite broke away from the mountainside. Supposedly at some point an unlucky moose got trapped here. Eyebrow Trail/Table Rock - So now we get to some hiking. I did some research that suggested Table Rock (2380°, 2.4 miles; specifically going orange to blue to white [AT]) was slightly easier than Eyebrow (2600°, 2.1 miles; specifically going orange to white [AT]). Either way, you get to spend some time on the AT, and some folks are here just to step foot, snap a photo, and move on. We decided to do Eyebrow Trail and it was one of the toughest hikes I've ever been on in the best way possible; it ignited a passion in me I didn't know I had! There were areas where you had to scale the mountainside with an iron cable bolted into the ground; other areas where you had to climb vertically on a rock surface via an iron ladder. The summit's views reminded me of areas of the Highlands in Scotland; and, I don't know that I've ever smelled pine so raw and cold and crisp before. I will never forget this hike; maybe sometime I can come back and do Old Speck (4180°)! Spruce Meadow Turnout - We stopped here to have lunch. If you walk a little further then where most of the picnic tables are, there's a lone table facing an expanse of stunning mountain. It's a good place to have a good meal with a good friend. Scenic Turnout - There's not much that here, a trio of signs/placards that talk about the area. What a beautiful Maine spot this is!

You'll find this fantastic hidden gem of nature as you head north into the Rangeley Lakes region -…read moreand it's well worth a stop! The main draw (for me anyway) is the 15-foot waterfall where the Swift River gushes over the smooth carved boulders - it's beautiful! Definitely a lovely visit in the fall colors - they were just starting to show on my visit in late September. But it's my understanding that this is a great place to frolic in natural swimming holes and jump off the rocks and enjoy the water in the warmer months. I had a great time exploring the area! There were butterflies EVERYWHERE!! Many different species - but one species was being particularly cooperative and I had a great time with my camera - and turns out it was a Pink-edged Sulfur which is the State Butterfly of Maine! It's easy to find - right off Swift River Rd and it's free. Theres a picnic area with several tables and a fun giant chair with a story about Paul Bunyan next to it. Everything is well maintained and there's a campground nearby. I didn't see any bathrooms.

Actually I love this place. But Cassie made me feel very very unwelcome. I have been a Coos Canyon…read moreand rented cabbage twice, the first time I just figured maybe Cassie was having a few bad days because I did stay a few days. But the second time I went she was even worse. It's a shame that a wonderful place like this has such a mean spirited and rude person working for them

Fun trip along the river. River is wide so took a little effort to keep to the correct side of…read moreislands. Rented the luxury tubes. Very comfortable. Got a cooler raft and teether straps. Short ride upto the launch site. And you end back where you parked our car. Saw a bald eagle, but wasn't fast enough with camera. Everyone was nice expected the woman that checked us in was a bit rude to us.

You all know me when I have a great experience I will let you know, if I have an OK experience, I…read morewill tell you about it, but I think this is probably going to be the worst experience and review I've ever had anywhere. My family of 22 booked almost $1000 at the Bethel outdoor adventures in campground for a day of tubing down the river. We were greeted with a long snarl of a face in the main office and while still on the river with multiple family, waiting for us to get off the river, they were yelled at and mistreated by Erin. And when I got off, I went to retrieve my keys to leave, and I was treated as if I was a moron when I tried to explain that I just had given her a fob, not a full set of keys. She treated me like I was a two year-old idiot and was very sassy with me and again with her long snarl of a face. This is not how Customers should ever be treated and you should not be the face of this company. I highly recommend another tubing company if you visit Bethel Maine

Beautiful New Hampshire park bordering Maine and not too far from Canada…read more Great fishing spots, hiking trails, and mountain/water views. Definitely check it out!

I hesitate to let the secret out about this campground, but the staff is so nice and the facilities…read moreso well kept that they need a good shout out and a big thank you! We're already making plans for next year to return. The lake is pristine and secluded, there are canoes available and remote sites on the lake where you can canoe or kayak out yourself or get dropped off. True wilderness camping in the great north of NH. I do want to mention that we camped with a 18 ft. rPod camper trailer and had no issues at all with access to a good choice of beautiful well kept sites. I read a few negative comments that make no sense to me. Everybody is different I guess. One of the best camping experiences we've ever had.

a picturesque lake that sits at the foot of Cannon Mountain and is surrounded by views of Mt…read more Lafayette. Relax on the beach or take a dip on a warm summer day. we were here in October and it was amazing to see all the colors. enjoy the beauty of a 39-acre lake with an excellent view. The slopes of the Cannon Mountain ski area drop right to the edge of the lake, and the view highlights where the Franconia Range and Kinsman Range meet, creating the notch. On the lake shores, you also have the option to rent canoes and kayaks for $20/hour or pedal boats for $25/hour. Parking: on busy days, you might have to wait 10-20 minutes to get to the parking spot.

I'm hesitant to review this beach simply because I don't want everyone knowing how great it is and…read moreovercrowding it! Honestly, it's amazing. There's a great grass area to picnic and set up chairs and whatnot (even a few covered picnic areas, but those go pretty quick). The roped off swim area has three entrances (two with steps and one with"beach entry"). The majority of swim area is very shallow (less than 4'), but there are sections close to the rope where it gets quite deep. The lake floor in the swim area is incredibly soft sand with very little rocks. Only con I can think of is I'm not sure if there is a restroom on site (we didn't need one while we were there, but I didn't see any obvious structures).

Such a great place! I would highly recommend this park!…read more There are so many great trails and views. Even at times when there are lots of people in the park, it's very spacious and great for social distancing. I've been here a few times to hike before, and I'll definitely be back again!

The locals refer to it as lower acusshnet falls (not spelling it right) but it's absolutely AMAZING…read more& there is no way they want tourists to know about this spot- because there aren't really maps or directions. It sort of just comes up as white mountains park. You pull into a parking lot and you walk about .25 of a mile and you begin to see little spots on the rocks where individuals and families are camped out or have their towels set up. There is a natural water slide with gentle rapids making it just the right amount of fun without being scary! My son LOVED IT. You can bring tubes or water toys- which make it great- I can seen kids as young as 1 going down! The only thing that made me nervous was kids falling & possibly hitting there head- because during my visit- we helped save a man who slid down on his but & hit his head and was knocked out cold face down unconscious in the water & we turned him over and he eventually came to! One of the members of our group also saved his son- who was just drifting really far away on his raft. The views and water are crystal clear and beautiful! This is a BEYOND BEAUTIFUL SPOT- a definite must see for locals AND TOURISTS! Just be careful because rocks can be slippery and it can be dangerous. I'd say to stick with groups & if you're going alone just make sure someone knows!

Old fashioned camping exists! This is a perfect family campground-- kids can ride their bikes,…read morefolks can stroll through the campground or adjacent trails, and meeting and chatting with other campers and rangers is a joy. The beach has the best view of any in the world. Area hiking trails are challenging and breathtakingly beautiful. Coos Canyon is nearby and a super fun day trip. There are flush toilets and showers and a brand new playground. This is a jewel.

Summer review! Get…read morethat Maine State Park Pass out and head to Mt Blue State Park Campground (even if it's just for a day outing)! It's like a smaller, more intimate, more highly concentrated version of everything you love about Sebago and Rangeley. Clear, clean, cold water to swim in; surrounding mountains (like Mt Blue) that ring Webb Lake making it picturesque in every way. There's also some low stakes hiking, including a 1-mile loop (apparently called Hopping Frog Nature Trail) near the Nature Center. The Nature Center is also very cool, offering hands-on exhibits, interpretive programs, and displays about the local flora and fauna. I learned how big my wingspan is and played a round of outdoor checkers. I was extremely delighted by this spot and can't wait to explore it again in the future!

I've visited Lakewood Camps in Maine with my son and will return this May. It's really a beautiful…read morelocation and the staff was excellent. The breakfasts, lunches & dinners were perfect. The lakes were productive and my son and I caught a substantial Lake Trout locally known and named by the indigenous people hundreds of years ago as a Togue. The stream leading out of the lake at the close by dam was very productive for catch and release Native Brook Trout & also landlocked Salmon & we even caught several Rainbow Trout. We released all of these wild fish. Our server in the lodge where we had dinners was named Sydney & she was charming and we really looked forward to our meals. The chef smoked the Togue for all the guests to sample before our dinners as an appetizer . We had a great experience while staying there on our fishing adventure.

What a great Maine Camp. Brook Trout mecca, grouse and woodcock in these remote woods. Gorgeous…read moreviews, wonderful food (thanks chef Richard!) and Ryan helps with anything you need. Emily makes you feel like you are a long lost family member home for a celebration. And "chief welcomer" Airedale Guy is an affable treat. If you want authentic Maine adventure make a reservation.

I feel the need to preface all of my nature reviews with this: in New England, there's something…read morefor everyone. What I'm reviewing is how a spot compares to similar outdoor spots in my personal opinion. Being in nature - and remembering to carry in, carry out - is always five stars! :) Parking? Kind of. Loop trail? No. Well marked signs? Kind of. Element of surprise? Not really. From the Carter-Moriah trail, Mount Surprise is a two mile hike with a 2,194 foot elevation. This is not a destination hike or one you need to specifically seek out; if anything, it's just a part of the trail en route to Mount Moriah (elevation: 4,049 feet) which is another 2.5 miles beyond the summit of Mount Surprise. But you won't even know if you're at the summit of Mount Surprise, because - surprise! - there's not much to really see! My partner picked this hike because he had read that there were some great views of the Presidential Range even without summiting Mount Moriah, but - personally - I don't know that I entirely agree. If you even figure out you're on Mount Surprise, you'll need to walk off-trail onto moss and lichen covered rock face (which I don't encourage, leave the flora alone please!); and, even then, the "views" are obstructed. (That being said, parts of the trail are so thick with brightly colored green moss that it looks like the forests of the Pacific Northwest! There's also a stretch of trail where the trees thin out, and there are mountains on both sides of you - really lovely!). Overall, this out-and-back was unpleasant when we came, and it was for a couple reasons: 1. The trailhead is essentially in someone's backyard. There's three parking spaces, and if they're full you need to park down the street and walk through a tiny neighborhood. It's kind of weird. 2. When we came in mid-November the ground covering from leaf litter was about six inches deep. Despite it being dry, our entire hike felt like we were walking on black ice. We couldn't see the trail, the roots, or the loose rocks, so we just shuffled up two miles then shuffled down two miles. Lots of tripping, slipping, and sliding. Again, our fault for coming when we did, but something to note. I *would* hike this again, but only to summit Mount Moriah as part of the NH48. We couldn't do that when we came this time because daylight wasn't on our side, but now we know!