Scenic Drives
Embarking from the Bethel area in any direction provides you with views of mountains, lakes and rivers, and recreational opportunities. These trips are fabulous any time of year, but make sure to get here during fall foliage time (usually early October). The Bethel area is consistently ranked among New England's top destinations for foliage-viewing by Yankee Magazine.
Bethel to Rangeley Loop
Drive time is about 3.5 hours, but give yourself the full day if you can to explore Grafton Notch State Park, Umbagog National Wildlife Refuge, the Rangeley Lakes region, Height of Land viewpoint, and Coos Canyon. Most popular wildlife-viewing loop.
Bethel to Fryeburg, North Conway, Mt. Washington
Check out the eastern White Mountains (Evans Notch and Pinkham Notch at the base of Mt. Washington) and perhaps a shopping trip to North Conway. Summer only - Route 113 closed in winter.)
Covered Bridge Tour
Visit the famous Artists' Covered Bridge over the Sunday River in Newry then on to the village of Andover and the Lovejoy Covered Bridge over the Ellis River.
Western Maine Mountains
The Western Maine mountains region includes the towns of Bethel, Livermore, Jay, Farmington, Avon, Phillips, and Weld. This scenic drive has 10 points of interest and is 80 miles long, passing through amazing mountain views and recreation areas.
Oxford Hills
The Oxford Hills Area includes the towns of West Paris, Paris, Norway, Waterford, Harrison, Otisfield, and Oxford. This drive is 90 miles in length with 14 points of interest and includes picnic areas, ponds, lakes, nature preserves, and historic places.
Grafton Notch to Andover
Departing from Bethel towards the towns of Newry, Hanover, Rumford, Andover, and Upton. This drive is 67 miles long and has 10 different points of interest, including covered bridges, pristine lakes, waterfalls, and mountain views.
Sebago Lake Region
Embark from Bethel towards the Sebago Lake area, including the towns of Naples, Bridgton, Fryeburg, Brownfield, and Sebago. This drive has 9 different points of interest and is 65 miles long. Sebago Lake is the second-largest lake in Maine.