Here in Maine it’s easy to enjoy the nature that surrounds us. It’s all around us, after all. From the sea to the forests, there’s tons of beauty just about everywhere. And so much of it is unique that we can’t help but think there’s no better place to explore than right here. If you’re looking for places to enjoy the natural beauty of Maine check out our list of favorites. Beautiful in any season and with on cost associated, these are spots you just can’t pass up.
- Giant’s Stairs, Bailey Island
TJForrest / TripAdvisor This beautiful coastal area can be find by crossing the Cribstone Bridge over to Bailey Island. Once there you’ll find the path leading along the water. Here you’ll see what ages of erosion have done to the land. Rocks that looks like stairs have been formed and they’re so large they could only be fit for a giant! You can learn more about how to reach this beautiful natural wonder by clicking here.
- Height of Land, near Rangeley
alan48 / Flickr The Rangeley Lakes National Scenic Byway follows Routes 17 and 4 in western Maine leading directly to an overlook to see this beautiful part of the state. The term “height of land” refers to a place where two watersheds come together and while that’s cool, the view is what’s truly captivating. From here you’ll be able to see Mooselookmeguntic Lake and even the White Mountains on a clear day. You can learn more about how to find it by clicking here!
- Coos Canyon, Oxford County
binkley27 / Flickr One of the reasons we love this beauty so much is that you can see it just by parking and taking a step out of your car. You’ll find it just off of Route 17 scenic highway, The waterfall is beautiful year-round. In the winter it’s often covered in ice and snow, for a truly magical appearance. In the summer it’s a great place to cool down by jumping in the water. There’s a park connected which is the perfect place to enjoy a picnic lunch. Learn more about it here!
- The Dramatic Tidal Changes
Bulgarian Wikipedia user Пакко, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons This one is a bit more general than the others on this list, but we think the tidal changes here in Maine are worth a mention. They’re the most dramatic of anywhere else in America and can change as much as 20 feet between low and high tides! To see that, head to Calais where that exact number has been reported. But just about anywhere on the coast you’re bound to see a big change.
- Reversing Falls, Mahar’s Point
wolfsavard / Flickr Caused by water rushing in and out of Dennys and Whiting Bay, the reversing falls are truly unique. If you visit you’ll notice the narrow area sitting between Mahar Point and Falls Island. When the high tide comes in, the water swirls around creating whirlpools. When it goes out over a rocky ledge just beneath the surface the water appears to move in the opposite direction as the tide creating what can only be called a reversing waterfall. Check it out here!
- Gulf Hagas, near Brownville Junction
Tcpx36, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons Known as the Grand Canyon of the East, this impressive network of falls is truly a sight to behold. Created by the Western Branch of the Pleasant River you’ll find impressively large granite walls on either side of the river. You can learn more about the falls and how to find them (spoiler alert: it’s a bit of a hike!) by checking out this article.
- Old Sow Whirlpool, Eastport
Karin Lewis / Google This is one of the most unique natural wonders in all of Maine! To see it head to Eastport where tidal currents come together between that town and Deer Island to create one of the largest and most dangerous whirlpools anywhere in the world!
Have you been to any of these natural wonders in Maine? If so, share any tips you have for the visit. And if we’ve left anyone off this list that deserves to be there add that to the comments, too!
TJForrest / TripAdvisor
This beautiful coastal area can be find by crossing the Cribstone Bridge over to Bailey Island. Once there you’ll find the path leading along the water. Here you’ll see what ages of erosion have done to the land. Rocks that looks like stairs have been formed and they’re so large they could only be fit for a giant! You can learn more about how to reach this beautiful natural wonder by clicking here.
alan48 / Flickr
The Rangeley Lakes National Scenic Byway follows Routes 17 and 4 in western Maine leading directly to an overlook to see this beautiful part of the state. The term “height of land” refers to a place where two watersheds come together and while that’s cool, the view is what’s truly captivating. From here you’ll be able to see Mooselookmeguntic Lake and even the White Mountains on a clear day. You can learn more about how to find it by clicking here!
binkley27 / Flickr
One of the reasons we love this beauty so much is that you can see it just by parking and taking a step out of your car. You’ll find it just off of Route 17 scenic highway, The waterfall is beautiful year-round. In the winter it’s often covered in ice and snow, for a truly magical appearance. In the summer it’s a great place to cool down by jumping in the water. There’s a park connected which is the perfect place to enjoy a picnic lunch. Learn more about it here!
Bulgarian Wikipedia user Пакко, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
This one is a bit more general than the others on this list, but we think the tidal changes here in Maine are worth a mention. They’re the most dramatic of anywhere else in America and can change as much as 20 feet between low and high tides! To see that, head to Calais where that exact number has been reported. But just about anywhere on the coast you’re bound to see a big change.
wolfsavard / Flickr
Caused by water rushing in and out of Dennys and Whiting Bay, the reversing falls are truly unique. If you visit you’ll notice the narrow area sitting between Mahar Point and Falls Island. When the high tide comes in, the water swirls around creating whirlpools. When it goes out over a rocky ledge just beneath the surface the water appears to move in the opposite direction as the tide creating what can only be called a reversing waterfall. Check it out here!
Tcpx36, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Known as the Grand Canyon of the East, this impressive network of falls is truly a sight to behold. Created by the Western Branch of the Pleasant River you’ll find impressively large granite walls on either side of the river. You can learn more about the falls and how to find them (spoiler alert: it’s a bit of a hike!) by checking out this article.
Karin Lewis / Google
This is one of the most unique natural wonders in all of Maine! To see it head to Eastport where tidal currents come together between that town and Deer Island to create one of the largest and most dangerous whirlpools anywhere in the world!
For more access to the natural beauty of the state head for one of our incredible trails. Here are 10 incredible hikes under 5 miles everyone in Maine who is able should take!
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
Address: Giant’s Stairs Trail, Harpswell, ME 04003, USAAddress: Height of Land, ME-17, Roxbury, ME 04275, USAAddress: Coos Canyon, Byron, ME 04275, USAAddress: Calais, ME, USAAddress: West Pembroke, Pembroke, ME 04666, USAAddress: Gulf Hagas Trailhead, Katahdin Iron Works Rd, Monson, ME 04464, USAAddress: Eastport, ME, USA
