(AUGUSTA, Maine) — With the official arrival of autumn, Mainers and leaf peeping enthusiasts can look forward to the fall colors spreading throughout Maine. The third 2024 Fall Foliage Report from the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry (DACF) reports moderate to high color change (50-70 percent) throughout most of Maine with low to moderate leaf drop (less than 50 percent).

Northern Maine (zones six and seven) is on track to reach peak conditions during the first week of October. Fall colors in all other areas of the state will occur from north to south through mid-October. Coastal Maine typically reaches peak color during mid-to-late October.

DACF is rolling out a new interactive foliage map this week at the official fall foliage website, www.mainefoliage.com. Visitors can zoom in on the scenic byways, RealMaine farms with pick-your-own options, apples, pumpkins, corn mazes, and baked goods, Land for Maine’s Future funded projects, state parks and public lands, boat launches, and upcoming fall fairs and festivals.

This Week’s Foliage Outlook  

“It’s fall y’all…which means it’s officially sweater weather in Maine! We have experienced a bit of a drought the past several weeks, which can delay or accelerate the fall colors. I believe Maine is in the goldilocks position (not too dry, not too wet, without a killing frost) to accelerate the best fall colors in the upcoming weeks,” said Gale Ross, fall foliage spokesperson.

Follow the 2024 Maine fall foliage forecast this season and take advantage of autumn events, activities and tips for colorful road trips throughout Maine:

• Continue celebrating Maine Lobster Week. This week-long event continues through September 29, so there is still time to support the Maine lobster industry and take advantage of lobster-inspired cuisine and specials at the list of participating locations.
• Keeping with the Maine seafood theme, enjoy the Pemaquid Oyster Festival. This Saturday and Sunday, head to Boothbay Harbor for all things oyster with eight participating farms, a shucking contest, live music, silent auction and educational exhibits.
• Make it to the fair. A harvest fair favorite, the Fryeburg Fair kicks off on Sunday and goes through Sunday, October 6. Known as “Maine’s Blue Ribbon Classic Agricultural Fair,” it offers a variety of livestock, events ranging from harness pulls to a pig scramble, food, rides, exhibits and vendors and more.
• Navigate a themed corn maze. With several great maze options in all corners of the state, two standouts are a Peanuts-themed maze, paying tribute to the comic’s 75^th anniversary, at Thunder Road Farm in Corinna, and Treworgy Family Orchards’ Peter Rabbit design, found in Levant, known for award-winning designs and the longest continually running maze in the state.
• Take a scenic road trip. As foliage continues to move south throughout the state, take a road trip through inland’s Maine’s Kennebec Valley. Home to many rivers and lakes throughout the region, autumn colors pop against the easily accessible water views. Old Canada Road Scenic Byway offers panoramic views of the valley, making an ideal road trip from Solon to the Canadian border. Places worth a stop or have a picnic lunch include Robbins Hill or Moxie Falls Scenic Area in the Forks. The region is also home to riverside towns and cities, including Hallowell, Waterville and Skowhegan, for small shops and noteworthy restaurants.