Menu

Scenic Byways

National Scenic Byways

Old Canada Road National Scenic Byway
Old Canada Road National Scenic Byway travels 78 miles along Route 201 through Maine’s vast forests from Solon to the Canadian border through villages such as Bingham and Jackman. Route 201 follows the old river trading paths of the Abenaki tribe, leading visitors back in time through towns where turn-of-the-century homes line the main thoroughfare. This byway passes through The Forks, where the Dead and Kennebec Rivers meet. This area is well-known for rafting expeditions down these swift-flowing rivers. The route ends at the US international border crossing at Sandy Bay.
Learn More


Rangeley Lakes National Scenic Byway
Rangeley Lakes National Scenic Byway follows Routes 17 and 4, wrapping around Rangeley Lake. The route follows the ridgeline of the Appalachian Mountains before dropping into rolling hills and valleys. The Height of Land on Route 17 is the centerpiece of this scenic drive, offering breathtaking views of Mooselookmeguntic and Upper Richardson Lakes. Crystal clear lakes and rolling mountains set the backdrop for fantastic vistas along Routes 4 and 17.
Learn More


Schoodic National Scenic Byway
Schoodic National Scenic Byway explores a less developed and unspoiled area of the rugged Downeast Maine coast. Granite outcroppings make up a dramatic coastline that is dotted with blueberry barrens and covered with fragrant evergreen forests.  The Schoodic National Scenic Byway crosses through Sullivan, Gouldsboro and Winter Harbor in downeast Maine.
Learn More


Maine Scenic Byways

Blackwoods (Route 182)
Region: Downeast and Acadia Length: 12.5 miles A few miles from busy U.S. Route 1 and worlds away from the bustle, great gray owls and bald eagles can be seen soaring among the trees or over blueberry barrens along this quiet two-lane highway.  The towns of Cherryfield and Franklin, which serve as gateways to this byway, offer many good examples of 18th and 19th century architecture, as well as the chance to experience rural small town life. Cherryfield is known as the "wild Blueberry Capital of the World." Information: Schoodic Area Chamber of Commerce 800-231-3008
Learn More


Fish River (Route 11)
Region: Aroostook Length: 37 miles The Fish River Scenic Byway, one of the topmost of Maine's scenic byways, traverses the rolling lands between Portage and historic Fort Kent, and offers unparalleled views of wildflower meadows, Eagle Lake and Maine's highest peak, Mt. Katahdin. Much of the route is forested, and wildlife abounds, with wilderness camps lining the shores of the area's lakes.  Route 11 is a primary north-south transportation corridor connecting Aroostook County, Maine, and New Brunswick, Canada. Information: Greater Fort Kent Chamber of Commerce 800-733-3563
Learn More


Grafton Notch
Region: Maine Lakes and Mountains Length: 21 miles The Grafton Notch scenic byway begins in Newry, just north of the Sunday River Ski Area, and travels along Route 26 to Grafton Notch State Park and Lake Umbagog.  This byway follows along the Bear River for much of the trip. Crumbled foundations of old farmhouses and weathered stone walls mark the landscape of this rural two-lane road. Information: Bethel Area Chamber of commerce 800-442-5826
Learn More


Katahdin Woods & Waters (Formerly Grindstone)
Region: The Maine Highlands Length: 89 miles The Katahdin Woods & Waters Scenic Byway is 89 miles long and offers breathtaking views of Katahdin and the Appalachian chain, and provides a mix of pastoral farms, meadows, recreational trails, and working forests filled with wildlife and significant natural areas.  Ash Hill provides an outstanding 360° view of Katahdin, the mountains surrounding Baxter State Park, and long views toward the Allagash and Aroostook County. Information: Katahdin Area Chamber of Commerce 207-723-4443 Baxter State Park 207-723-5140
Learn More


Million Dollar View (Route 1)
Region: Aroostook, Downeast and Acadia Length: 8 miles Aptly called the "Million Dollar View", this stretch of U.S. Route 1 offers travelers unsurpassed views of the Chiputneticook chain of lakes, rolling hayfields, Mount Katahdin, Peekaboo Mountain and the landscape of New Brunswick, Canada. Danforth marks the southerly limit of the byway and Weston is the location of an historic portage and many interesting historic buildings. Information Town of Weston Administrator 207-448-2316 Greater East Grand Lake Area Chamber of Commerce 207-448-7381
Learn More


Moosehead Lake (Formerly Seboomook)
Region: Kennebec and Moose River Valley, The Maine Highlands Length: 59 miles Traveling through Maine's Moosehead Lake region, Moosehead Lake Scenic Byway (formerly Seboomook) takes Route 15 from Greenville to Jackman.
Learn More


Pequawket Trail (Route 113)
Region: Maine Lakes and Mountains Length: 60 miles The Pequawket Trail Scenic Byway offers sustainable working farms, historic villages, and abundant wildlife in pristine habitats.  Along the journey the Saco River and the Mountain Division Rail meander parallel to the byway, which runs between Standish and Fryeburg.  The White Mountain National Forest offers unparalleled scenic vistas. Information: Fryeburg Visitors Center 207-935-3639
Learn More


Saint John Valley
Region: Aroostook Length: 92 miles The St. John Valley Cultural Byway is rich with Maine's Acadian heritage and culture. The byway travels a total of 92 miles along the northern border of Maine and through the St. John Valley.
Learn More


State Route 27
Region: Maine Lakes and Mountains Length: 47 miles Skiers and snowmobilers know this route well, as it connects the historic 19th century mill town of Kingfield with Sugarloaf USA, Stratton and Eustis. In the south, this byway winds along the Carrabassett River with views of Mount Abraham and the Bigelow Range, and passes by Flagstaff Lake and through Cathedral Pines, the largest stand of old growth forest in the state covering 220 acres.  North of Eustis, the landscape grows wilder. Information: Sugarloaf Area Chamber of Commerce 207-235-2645
Learn More


The Bold Coast
Region: Downeast and Acadia Length: 125 miles The Bold Coast Scenic Byway offers fabulous vistas and winding roadways, extending from the coastal fishing community of Milbridge eastward along the coast to Lubec, the easternmost town in the United States, and then scoops around Cobscook Bay to Eastport.  The Bold Coast Scenic Byway is characterized by rocky coastlines, harbors bustling with fishing boats, colorful beaches, mysterious fog banks enshrouding the dense coastal forests, panoramic blueberry barrens glowing blue in summer and red in fall, glorious sunrises and sunsets, and a dark night sky brilliant with stars.
Learn More


All-American Roads

Acadia Byway
Acadia Byway travels through Acadia National Park and the historic villages of Bar Harbor and Northeast Harbor on Mount Desert Island. Along this route, the rugged Maine coast and old-growth forests remain much as they were when the island was first discovered by Samuel de Champlain in 1604.
Learn More


More Information:
The Bold Coast Scenic Byway Facebook Page
Downeast and Acadia Regional Tourism
Downeast Maine Online
Destination Cherryfield
Schoodic East Magazine
Town of Jonesport
Machias Bay Area Chamber of Commerce
Cobscook Bay Area Chamber of Commerce
Eastport Area Chamber of Commerce
Visit Lubec

"We have been fortunate to have made two movies in Maine — The Way We Get By and Beneath The Harvest Sky.” Maine is a very special state in that there are so many options for locations. Given its size, you can travel to northern Maine, southern Maine, all along the coast, and tell a number of different stories in totally unique worlds with each film having very distinctive looks. The abundance of locations combined with the incredible generosity of the people and communities, make filmmaking in Maine a pure joy. We would not be filmmakers today without the support from the people of Maine and we will be forever grateful."

- Gita Pullapilly and Aron Gaudet, The Way We Get By and Beneath the Harvest Sky

See all testimonials

Register Your
Production

Contact Us

PHONE  207-624-7483

EMAIL  film@maine.gov

subscribe to e-newsletter