Non-Coastal Region to add to Itinerary

Question

We are a couple in our 60s excited about our first and much awaited trip to Maine. We will be staying on MDI for 4 nights at the end of September. We are trying to decide where to go after Acadia/ Coast. Our current plan is to fly into Portland and spend a few nights in Camden area before going to Acadia.

After MDI and Schoodic Peninsula, we are interested in driving and exploring the coast in DownEast and then on to Campobello (will spend at least one night along the way).

I’d like to add another region to our trip. We enjoy walks in the woods and waterfalls. Also, seeing fall foliage. Would the Scenic Byway that starts around Bethel and goes toward Umbagog be a good option? How many days would you allow for exploring this area… including some easy to moderate waterfall hikes? Lodging options?

From there we could drive back to Portland to fly home.

Answer

Yes — the Bethel / Grafton Notch / Rangeley / Umbagog corridor is an excellent non-coastal option to add to your Maine trip. It’s exactly the kind of place that delivers quiet woods, brilliant late-September foliage, easy-to-moderate waterfall hikes, and small-town lodging. The state-designated Grafton Notch (Route 26) scenic byway links Bethel with Grafton Notch State Park and the Umbagog/Lake Umbagog area, and the nearby Rangeley Lakes region adds more waterfalls, viewpoints, and classic Maine mountain-lake scenery.

How many days to allow

Minimum (2 days): Use Bethel as a base and spend one day driving Grafton Notch with stops at the main falls and outlooks, and a second day pushing out to one nearby waterfall cluster (Rangeley/Route 4) or a short side trip to Umbagog for an easy walk or boat/wildlife viewing. This is doable but brisk.
Recommended (3–4 days): Allows a comfortable pace: day 1 arrive and settle in Bethel; day 2 explore Grafton Notch State Park (Screw Auger, Mother Walker, Step Falls); day 3 head north to the Rangeley area for Smalls Falls/Cascade Stream/Coos Canyon; day 4 morning at Umbagog (gentle trails/observation) then drive back toward Portland. This gives time for short hikes, scenic drives, and to savor fall color.

Waterfalls and easy-to-moderate hikes to consider

Grafton Notch State Park (Route 26) — very accessible series of falls and gorges along short trails: Screw Auger Falls, Mother Walker Falls, and nearby viewpoints. These are short walks (many under 1.5 miles round-trip) and are excellent for late-September foliage.
Step Falls Preserve / Wight Brook — a short, pleasant walk past cascading pools; great for a calm waterfall experience without a long hike.
Rangeley area waterfalls — Smalls Falls (very easy, roadside with steps and viewing platforms), Cascade Stream Gorge, Angel Falls and others clustered around Route 4 and Route 17 — plenty of options for short, scenic walks and gorge views.
Coos Canyon (on Route 17) — a short, family-friendly spot with dramatic rock and water features perfect for photos and a quick stroll.
Umbagog National Wildlife Refuge / Lake Umbagog — not a waterfall hotspot, but superb for easy boardwalk/short trails (Magalloway River Trail), moose/wildlife viewing, and boat/float trips on the lake; a peaceful contrast to the gorge hikes.

Where to base yourselves — lodging options

Bethel — a great central hub for Grafton Notch and for easy access to the western Maine drives. Bethel has a range of lodging from cozy B&Bs and cabin rentals to the larger Bethel Inn / Bethel Resort & Suites if you want resort amenities. Staying in Bethel gives you restaurants, a village stroll, and short drives to the scenic byway.
Rangeley — if you prefer to be closer to the Rangeley waterfalls and lakes, town inns (The Rangeley Inn, Saddleback Inn, waterfront lodges and cabins) are charming and put you right in classic leaf-peeping country. Rangeley is a good second-night option or an alternative base to Bethel.
Other lodging notes — small inns and cabins fill up quickly for fall foliage weekends, so plan to book early. If you prefer fewer hotel stairs and more quiet, look for lakeside cabins or B&Bs in both Bethel and Rangeley.

Suggested 3-day sample itinerary

Day A (arrive Bethel): Settle in, short village walk, early evening viewpoint/short trail near town to stretch legs.
Day B (Grafton Notch Scenic Byway): Drive Route 26 through Grafton Notch — stop at Screw Auger Falls, Mother Walker Falls, gorge overlooks, and Step Falls Preserve. Picnic and gentle hikes; finish with sunset view or short evening drive.
Day C (Rangeley / Umbagog): Head northwest for Route 4/17 waterfall loop: Smalls Falls, Cascade Stream, Coos Canyon; late afternoon/early evening at Umbagog (short refuge trails or boat time if you like wildlife). Stay in Rangeley or return to Bethel depending on pace.

Practical tips

Late September is typically excellent for foliage in the western Maine mountains — fine timing for leaves and cooler daytime temps. Check local foliage trackers as your trip approaches for exact peak dates.
Most waterfall stops are short walks but can be slippery — bring sturdy shoes, and a light waterproof layer for possible mist or rain.
Cell service can be spotty in the notch and Umbagog areas; download maps or keep a paper map as backup. Umbagog and many preserves emphasize “leave no trace” and have limited services.
If you want a gentler, wildlife-focused day, prioritize Umbagog (birding, moose viewing), and if you prefer dramatic gorge scenery and waterfalls, make Grafton Notch + Rangeley your main days.

Bottom line

The Grafton Notch / Bethel → Rangeley → Umbagog corridor is a fantastic pick for woods, waterfalls, and peak-season foliage. Plan for 3 nights (2–4 days on the ground) for a relaxed, enjoyable stretch of hikes, scenic drives, and wildlife/leaf peeping; base in Bethel for convenience or split nights with a stay in Rangeley if you want to shorten drives to the Rangeley waterfalls. Book lodging early and enjoy the quieter, classic mountain-lake side of Maine after your coastal time.

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