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Maine Fall Foliage Report
September 25, 2019
Celebrate the Fall Equinox with the Changing Colors
Augusta, ME - Maine’s leaf-bearing trees will show off their brilliant colors of yellow, orange and red in the upcoming weeks. The 2019 Fall Foliage Report from the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation & Forestry reports 40-percent color change in the forest. Northern Maine is reporting moderate conditions, 50-percent color change and 30-percent leaf drop.
Typically, northern Maine (zones 6 and 7) reaches peak conditions the last week of September into the first week of October. The rest of the state’s progression of color will start occurring from north to south in mid-October. Coastal Maine typically reaches peak conditions mid-to-late October.
“That fall feeling is in the air, and now that our weather is moving toward a more seasonal trend, it’s the most wonderful time of the year to be in Maine,” according to Gale Ross, Maine’s fall foliage spokesperson. “Whether near or far, leaf-loving enthusiasts really get pumped up during the fall foliage season. A Facebook fan from Texas commented that she thought the photos we’ve posted on Facebook and the foliage web page were photoshopped until she made her first visit to Maine. Needless to say, she’s coming back again this year,” Ross added.
Celebrate the official start of fall with an apple-picking adventure at one of the state’s many pick-your-own orchards. In addition to fresh apples and apple-related products like cider and donuts, many orchards have pumpkin patches, corn mazes and other activities for the whole family.
On Sunday, September 29, Maine’s largest fair dating back to 1851, the Fryeburg Fair, opens. The fair is considered to be one of the best agricultural fairs in the country with livestock, an exhibition hall, a farm museum, craft demonstrations, harness racing and nightly entertainment.
For next week, fall lovers have the 21st Annual Freeport Fall Festival to look forward to.
For a laid-back leaf-peeping route, wind through Maine’s Kennebec Valley along the 78-mile Old Canada Road Scenic Byway. Begin in Solon and make your way to the Canadian border. Don’t miss a perfect picnic stop at Robbins Hill for panoramic views of the valley, and in The Forks, stop at the Moxie Falls Scenic Area. Enjoy a two-mile hike to one of the state’s highest waterfalls with a 92-foot vertical drop. Adventure seekers can still feel the thrill of whitewater rafting on the Kennebec River, a great way to experience fall foliage from the water, for a few more weeks.
Autumn enthusiasts can visit the state’s official foliage website at www.mainefoliage.com to sign up to receive weekly reports by email and can share their photos from throughout the state as the progression of color begins. Our Facebook page will include statewide events taking place throughout the foliage season, and our Instagram account (@mainefoliage) will also feature colorful fall shots. For more information about fall activities and events in Maine, go to www.visitmaine.com.
Week of September 25, 2019
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Zone Number
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Color Change
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Leaf Drop
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7
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Moderate
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Low
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6
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Moderate
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Low
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5
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Moderate
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Low
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4 North
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Moderate
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Low
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4 South
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Low
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Low
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3
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Low
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Low
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2
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Low
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Low
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1
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Low
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Low
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Foliage Zones
Zone 1: Mid-Coast and South Coastal Maine, including Camden, Portland, Kennebunkport, and Kittery
Zone 2: Downeast Maine, including Machias, Bar Harbor, and Penobscot Bay
Zone 3: Central and Southwestern Maine, including Bangor, Augusta, and Fryeburg
Zone 4: Eastern Mid-Maine, including Houlton, Millinocket, and Calais
Zone 5: Western Mid-Maine, including Greenville, Rangeley, Bethel
Zone 6: Northwestern Maine
Zone 7: Northeastern Maine, including Fort Kent, Caribou, and Presque Isle
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