Wild and Beautiful Maine is Ideal for Motorcycle Touring, Especially Along the National Scenic Byway, From the Coast of Maine to Quebec.  It is worth spending many days, or longer just to hit the high spots of this state. It is not as much about twisties, as it is about phenomenal vistas, local towns, parks, inland waters, and more. Best time to go is Summer and Fall, for the changing of the leaves. The one hazzard to be aware of is Moose.  You do not want to hit a Moose on your motorcycle.  Under Resources we have listed some Moose Tips and Warnings.

MOTORCYCLE LAWS

Helmet Use: Required by law for those under age 18; or operating under a learner's permit; or operating less than one year with license/endorsement; or as a passenger of an operator required to wear protective headgear

Riding Two Abreast: Yes

Eye Protection: Not Required

Daytime Use of Headlight: Required By Law

More Information On Laws

BEST RIDES IN THE STATE

Acadia  / Mount Desert Island  Explore the glacier-scoured mountains and rock-bound coast of Acadia National Park. Stop at the Champlain Mountain Overlook for great views!!! About a half mile past Sand Beach you can stop and see the Thunder Hole where during high seas waves rush in to a cove and compress trapped air creating a “thunder” sound. While on the island, make sure you travel to the top of Cadillac Mountain to get a great 360-degree view of the Atlantic Ocean.

Grafton Notch Scenic Byway  SR 26 located in the western mountain area of Maine on the New Hampshire border. The Scenic Byway is unique in that it connects with a New Hampshire Scenic Byway and passes through Grafton Notch State Park. There are waterfalls to view on this route.

Million Dollar View Scenic Byway US Rt 1 from Danforth to Orient. Only 8 miles long but some of the most beautiful views in eastern Maine. This corridor passes near the summit of Peekaboo Mountain which provides an overlook of Grand Lake into the spectacular western mountainous region of New Brunswick, Canada. As the principal connecting corridor for Aroostook County and "Downeast" Maine, the byway provides a significant wildlife viewing area for the moose, eagle, bear, and deer common to this region of the state.

Scenic Coastal Rt 1   Bath to Popham Beach

Kittery to Old Orchard Beach

Old Canada Road Scenic Byway   U.S. Rt. 201 winds right alongside the Kennebec River, Wyman Lake, and the Dead River.  From I-95 Exit to 201 North, Skowhegan, Jackman, to the US/Canada border. Stay on 201 Approx. 35 Miles to Bingham. About 2 miles out of Bingham is where the scenery starts and the road starts to snake for about 40 miles to West Forks. From West Forks to Jackman you're in the wilderness, open road that's in great shape and not much if any traffic. About 20 miles start watching for a scenic turn out on the right as you climbing the Mountains toward Jackman, it's breathtaking.  An alternate route back is route 15 from Jackman to Moosehead Lake through Rockwood and Greenville to Abbot, then right on Rt16 back to 201.

Rangeley Lakes Scenic Byway  Wind through the mountains and lakes of western Maine. Make a roadside stop at Coos Canyon Rest Area for a scenic view of the canyon along Rt 17.  and be sure to stop at the look out for Height of the land to get a beautiful view of Mooselookmeguntic Lake. A stop at  Smalls Falls Rest Area on Rt 4 just south of Rangeley is well rewarded with  a short hike from the parking lot to see the falls.

Schooldic Scenic Byway The Schoodic Scenic Byway travels through the eastern seaboard, including the "quiet" side of Acadia National Park. The landscape remains unspoiled, revealing a part of Maine where lobstering and clamming are still a tradition.

Seboomook Scenic Byway

SR 11 Scenic Byway

MOTORCYCLE FRIENDLY CAMPGROUNDS & LODGING

Aysgarth Station B & B  Bar Harbor, Maine  6 Rooms  just minutes from  Acadia National Park, motorcycle friendly

Baits Motel Searsport, Maine  WiFi  Motorcycle Friendly

Bentley's Saloon Arundel, Maine  More than just a Saloon this is a biker destination. Food, Entertainment, Motel, Campground, Showers, Laundry

Boardwalk Inn B & B  Rumford, Maine  3 Rooms, WiFi   Motorcycle Friendly

Cedar Ridge Outfitters  Jackman, Maine  Cabin Rentals, Hot Tub, Pool, Motorcycle Friendly

Cohill's Inn Lubec, Maine  9 Rooms, Food & Pub Motorcycle Friendly

Foothills Farm B & B  Brownfield, Maine  3 Guest Rooms,  2 Bedroom Cottage and 3 bedroom log cabin  Motorcycle Friendly

Northern Outdoors Adventure Resort  The Forks, Maine   Cabins, Tent Sites, Restaurant

The Belmont Inn B & B  Camden, Maine  6 Rooms, Motorcycle Friendly

The International Motel  Calais, Maine   WiFi, restaurant and lounge adjacent to the motel   Motorcycle Friendly

The Lodge at Kennebunk Kennebunk, Maine 95 Alewive Road / RT 35 North  WiFi, Pool  Motorcycle Friendly 

The Villager Motel  Bar Harbor, Maine  Pool, WiFi   Motorcycle Friendly

Wild Duck Campground  Scarborough, Maine Located in the Maine Audubon’s Scarborough Marsh, between Old Orchard Beach and Portland Maine.  Tent Sites, Showers, Laundry, WiFi, Adults only, Motorcycle Friendly

State Park Campgrounds

Maine Campgrounds    Campground resource from travel New England.  You need to inquire with the individual campgrounds to see if they are motorcycle friendly.

NATIONAL PARKS

Acadia National Park  Located in Bar Harbor

Saint Croix Island International Historic Site  Located near Calais

ATTRACTIONS TO SEE / DESTINATIONS

Pemaquid Point Lighthouse   Accessibility: From US Route 1 in Damariscotta, take ME 130 south to Bristol (about 14.5 miles). The route leads to the parking lot (small fee) at Pemaquid Point.  The grounds and keeper's house are owned and managed by the Town of Bristol. There is a museum in the keeper's house.  This is the lighthouse featured on the Maine State Quarter.  

Penobscot Narrows Bridge & Observatory  The bridge carries US 1 over the Penobscot river. What makes this bridge unique is that is one of only 3 in the world that has an observation tower.   The tower reaches 420 feet (128 m) into the air and allows visitors to view the bridge, the nearby Fort Knox State Historic Site and the Penobscot River and Bay. The tower is accessible through the Fort Knox State Park 711 Fort Knox Rd, Prospect, ME 04981. There is a fee to get into the park and it covers the observation tower and the Historic Site. Open May - October.

Fort Williams Park  Located within Cape Elizabeth, Maine at the edges of Casco Bay is this beautiful park with spectacular vistas and it's home to the oldest lighthouse in Maine, Portland Head Light, and Goddard Mansion. Directions: From Rt. 295 in Portland , take ME 77 to South Portland. Left on Broadway, right on Cottage Road. Cottage Road becomes Shore Road at the Cape Elizabeth town line. Address is 1000 Shore Road.  From the south take US Route 1 north to Oak Hill in Scarborough. Right on ME 207, left on ME 77 north to Cape Elizabeth. Right at a blinking light at Shore Road and follow to Fort Williams Park.  History of Fort Williams.
 

Quoddy Head State Park  A fascinating and fun place to visit while on the Schoodic Peninsulain is Quoddy Head State Park. Located just four miles off Maine Route 189 in Lubec, this Park is the easternmost land in the United States. Quoddy Head State Park includes 4.5 miles of hiking trails, two bogs, and lush forests. The red-and white striped lighthouse tower of West Quoddy Head Light is also a favorite attraction.   This scenic park offers hikers breathtaking trails that follow along rock cliffs rising 80 feet above the ocean.  

Madawaska Four Corners Park   Most Northeastern Town in the United States - If you have heard of the 4 corners motorcycle tour, this is one of the stops. The four corners of the U.S. include Madawaska, ME; Key West, FL; San Yisidro,CA; and Blaine, WA.  This is the first park dedicated to long distance motorcycling.

Roadside America  Maine Attractions

RALLIES AND EVENTS

 Bikefest Maine  Wiscasset, Maine  Held in September

Maine Motorcycle Events Calendar

RESOURCES & LINKS

Ride Maine  RideMaine© is an easy-to-use guide, created with the motorcyclist in mind. Each region is color-coded for easy reference, and jam-packed with colorful photos, easy-to-navigate maps, places to eat, shop, sleep, gas up and of course, great places to ride. 

Maine - Things To Do

Travel New England      Information for Maine

New England Vacations Guide

Visit Maine 

Maine Motorcycle Roads & Trips

Motorcycle Roads - Maine

Sunday Morning Rides
 

Roadrunner Magazine Article on Maine Touring and Touring Map of Maine

http://www.acadianationalpark.com/summer_recreation/motorcycle.php

Border Crossing Requirements  U.S. Border Crossing Requirements Have Changed - Make sure you are compliant.

Moose Tips and Warnings

Maine Fall Foliage Reports