Spring is a time of transition. It starts with “Maple Season” in March and April, where sugar shacks boil sap into syrup, culminating in Maine Maple Sunday.
The Awakening
As the snow melts, waterfalls like Moxie Falls and those in Grafton Notch are at their most powerful. Anglers head to the lakes as soon as the ice out is declared.
Blooms
Late spring brings color back to the landscape. By June, fields of purple and pink lupines bloom along roadsides, particularly in the Downeast region, signaling that summer is just around the corner.
Worth knowing before you photograph them: the roadside lupine is Lupinus polyphyllus, the western lupine, which the Maine Natural Areas Program lists as an invasive plant. Maine’s native lupine is a different and much rarer species, Lupinus perennis. The display is spectacular either way, and it is not a wildflower meadow so much as a naturalised one.
Top Experiences
Common Questions
What is 'Mud Season'?
It's the period in early spring when the ground thaws and dirt roads become muddy and soft. Some trails may be closed to prevent damage.
Are the black flies bad?
They can be, typically starting in late May into June, especially in the woods. Coastal areas usually have fewer bugs due to the breeze.
What to Pack
- Waterproof boots (Mud Season!)
- Rain jacket
- Layers (temps fluctuate)
- Warm socks