Summer. In. Maine.
Do those three words have you ready to pack a picnic and head out the door? Then let these events, trips, sweet spots, and insider tips help steer you.
By Caroline Praderio
6 Away-From-It-All Campgrounds
Paddle out to eight wooded, oceanfront campsites on 11-acre Ames Island. May-October. $40 per night. 77 Floods Cove Rd., Friendship. 207-832-6237.
4 Powerfully Scenic Bike Trips
An all-day, 28-mile ride beside the rushing Aroostook is beautiful anytime, but visit in midsummer to see the County's endless fields of pink and white potato blossoms. Start/Finish: Public parking lot, Riverside Dr., Presque Isle.
Freeport's congested main drag (L.L.Bean will still be there when you get back) and pedal a gentle 9-mile loop that brings you through nearby Wolfe's Neck Woods State Park. The coastal panoramas don't disappoint. Start/Finish: Leon Gorman Park, Bow St., Freeport.
4 Spots for a Great Locally Churned Scoop
Maine Adventures with Down East
Our summer trips are filling up fast! Choose your destination, invite fellow lovers of Maine, and get on board for the ultimate Maine experience.
5 Unbelievable Natural Oddities
An easy mile-long hike in the Debsconeag Lakes Wilderness Area leads to a cool cave that keeps its icicles nearly all summer. Bring a flashlight to see the sparkle. Hurd Pond Trailhead, 18 miles west of Millinocket on the Golden Road. 207-729-5182.
5 Terrific Paddling Day Trips
Strike out across Moosehead Lake with a veteran guide. Frequently spotted species include trout, deer, loons, ducks, bobcats, and (fingers crossed) the mighty, magnificent moose. May-December. $40 per person. Northwoods Outfitters, 5 Lily Bay Rd., Greenville. 207-695-3288.
