By Henri Bauholz
June is a great month to enjoy the coast of Maine. June is before the major summer crowds arrive, yet you will still find most of summer spots already open and far less crowded. Southern Maine is a busy place all year long, but as you venture north, you will find better deals and thinner crowds. Here are a few places you might try during the month of June.
Freeport-Brunswich
Freeport is a retailer's paradise, most notably due to the success of L.L. Bean, the most prominent of Maine retailers. However, located just outside this busy little town are some fabulous private campgrounds and an enjoyable state park, Wolf Neck State Park. There are also some excellent private campgrounds, including Recompence Shore Campsites (207-865-9307).
On the west side of Freeport, along Interstate 295, there are several chain motels that offer cheaper rates as well as a few places along the main drag in Brunswick, just ten miles away. Further north along the coast are many fascinating and inexpensive places to visit, such as the Pemaquid Lighthouse in New Harbor or the Popham beach State Park in Phippsburg.
Acadia National Park
Much of the land of Acadia National Park is found on Mount Desert Island. On the island are two popular campgrounds at Otter Creek and Seawall. However, even in June, you will need to make reservations.
For a reasonably priced motel in the vicinity, try the Main Street Motel in downtown Bar Harbor (207-288-3500; 800-638-3636), or drive up to the Schoodic Peninsula where, just outside the town of Winter Harbor, you will find a very nice private campground called Ocean Woods Campground (207-963-7194). This area of the park is much less visited that the main section on Mount Desert Island.
Park activities in June are varied, but don't count on swimming in the chilly Maine waters, which can still be a little bit cool this early in the summer.
Northern Maine
The northernmost section of the Maine coastline is a long drive, so fewer travelers make the journey this far north. Here you will find fewer crowds and lower prices, especially in June. Eastport, Lubec and West Quoddy Head are great destinations, where you can visit the West Quoddy Head Light, Shackleford Head State Park or Fort Gulliver in Eastport. Good camping sites are available at the Shackleford Head or West Quoddy Head State Parks. More more information on local sites and rooms to rent, contact the Cobscook Bay Chamber of Commerce (see Resources).
About the Author:
Henri Bauholz is a professional writer covering a variety of topics, including hiking, camping, foreign travel and nature. He has written travel articles for several online publications and his travels have taken him all over the world, from Mexico to Latin America and across the Atlantic to Europe.
