This Rural Road Trip Will Lead You To Some Of The Best Countryside Hidden Gems In Maine

The coast of Maine gets a lot of attention and sure it is beautiful. With lighthouses, great seafood restaurants, and one of the top ten most visited national parks, one can see why we love our coast. But Maine is huge with amazing and wonderful things hidden deep into the rural parts of our state. You won’t see an interstate, or a city, heck you might not even see people, on this great rural Maine road trip we have planned for you. Make sure to check out the itinerary for this trip and feel free to tweak it as you see fit. Isn’t that what road trips are for? Care-free flexibility and taking in these five wonderful spots on our rural Maine road trip.

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You will be traveling 150 miles and should take you about 3 hours and 20 minutes of driving time. We allotted lots of time for each location if you want to squeeze it in a day but we recommend taking your time and stretching it into two. The choice is yours.

Houston Brook Falls, Pleasant Ridge Plantation, ME 04920, USA

Chris Dodge/ Flickr

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Chris Dodge/ Flickr

This is a small trail near Bigham Maine that packs a huge punch. Walking down the fairly open wooded path you will follow along a couple of stream crossings and traverse over a bridge. Then you will be greeted with Houston Brook Falls. This waterfall is really massive and quite fun to climb around the rocks, or just sit and relax. Learn more about Houston Brook Falls.

To see a more in-depth look at this waterfall check out this Adventuring in the Moment video:

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Carrabassett Veterinary Services, 1082 Main St, Kingfield, ME 04947, USA

SarahPrince09/ Flickr

SarahPrince09/ Flickr

Reed Brook Falls also known as Jericho Steps is a gorgeous waterfall hidden in the shadows of the Carrabassett Valley. You will follow along the brook all the way to Jericho Steps on this incredibly unique trail. Hand-painted signs and rocks lead the way as well as some other interesting finds through the woods. Once you reach the waterfall prepare to be blown away by the sheer width of this stunning beauty. Read more about Reed Brook Falls.

Check out the trail and this amazing waterfall by watching this Adventuring in the Moment video:

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Sugarloaf Mountain, Carrabassett Valley, ME 04947, USA

Michelle Mugnaini/ TripAdvisor

Tyler Leskowsky/ Alltrails

Sugarloaf Mountain is an iconic ski resort here in Maine. If you haven’t been then you have at least seen their iconic blue and white sticker posted on someone's jacket or their car. This mountain is beautiful and well worth a visit as it's one of the best hidden gems in Maine. When you turn around you will also be greeted by the breathtaking view of the Carrabassett Valley. Take to the slopes or take a hike depending on the time of year but either way, carve out some time to enjoy yourself here. Visit the Sugarloaf website to learn more.

Rangeley Lake, Maine 04970, USA

Dudesleeper/ Wikipedia

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Amanda Davis/ Alltrails

This lake is huge and iconic seemingly in the middle of nowhere. Just the way we like it. This route has you traversing along most of the southern side of the lake. Take it all in while you pass by or stop to enjoy the many joys that can be found lakeside. Something about sitting by the still fresh waters of a calm and clear lake that really feels tranquil. Read about the Rangely Lake Scenic Byway, one of the best scenic byways in Maine.

Grafton Notch State Park, Newry, ME 04261, USA

Bill Lamb/ Alltrails

Andrew Joslin/ Alltrails

The last stop on our road trip in Maine is Grafton Notch, State Park. This rugged mountain range is a great place to take a bigger hike to challenge yourself. We recommend hiking Speck Mountain to give yourself amazing views of this beautiful state park. Or if you want to keep it light then visit Screw Auger Falls which is only a small walk from the parking lot. Either way, you should also take your time in this park to really enjoy your stay. Read more about Grafton Notch State Park.

Take a look at this video on some hikes at Grafton Notch State Park by @bethelmaine:

Who said rural means boring? Not us! We believe that if you take the road less traveled then there are all kinds of hidden gems just waiting to be discovered. We love the coast but we also love our rural Maine. 

Are you ready to embark on this rural Maine road trip? I am, so let’s go! For more great content about a few of these locations please check out Reed Brook Falls or more about Grafton Notch State Park. 

Before going on this or any other of the Maine road trips we have already planned out for you, do yourself a favor and check out our Ultimate Road Trip Essentials Packing List for everything you need to make the car ride comfortable. And you’ll want to bring snacks along as well!