Beaches and Camping

The beautiful but crowded Sebago Lake Park (11 Park Access Rd., off US Route 302, Casco, 207/693-6613, $6.50 per day adults, $1 children 5–11, free children under 5) provides access to plenty of water, and is most popular for swimming, fishing, and sunbathing. Even with the hordes of fellow beachgoers, however, there’s usually space for everyone; the park covers 1,300 acres.For those who’d like to spend more than a day at the beach, the state park has 250 wooded campsites ($25/night) as well as hiking trails through the forest.

Hiking and Biking

In Bridgton, the hiking trails of Pleasant Mountain (about 3 miles past the Shawnee Peak sign on Mountain Rd.; look for the Moose Trail sign) provide a solid range of options, from easy to challenging. Each can be done round-trip in an afternoon, and each rewards with stunning views of the area from the top.

In Bethel, serious hikers head to The Mahoosucs, a mountain range full of pristine environments and difficult trails. Don’t go unless you’re an expert, have an extra few days, and are completely geared up. Ready to try? Head up to Grafton Notch State Park (1941 Bear River Rd., Newry, 207/824-2912, www.maine.gov), 3,000 acres of both short and long hikes, cut through the middle by the Appalachian Trail.

Sound intimidating? Try Step Falls Preserve (Rte. 26, Newry, 207/729-5181, www.nature.org) instead, filled with waterfalls, gorgeous fauna, and only moderately challenging hikes.

Boating and Fishing

Rent fishing boats of several sizes from Naples Marina (Rtes. 302 and 114, Naples, 207/693-6254, www.naplesmarinamaine.com) for use in the Sebago area. If you’re headed out on Bethel’s Androscoggin River, stop by Bethel Outdoor Adventure (121 Mayville Rd., Bethel, 207/824-4224, www.betheloutdooradventure.com) to rent canoes, arrange a drop-off or pick-up at the river, or get maps and directions.

Skiing

The 800-pound gorilla of Maine ski resorts, Sunday River Ski Resort (Sunday River Rd., Bethel, 207/824-3000, www.sundayriver.com, $74 adults, $63 youth 13–18, $51 seniors and children 6–12, free children under 6) has eight peaks and more than 125 trails to test the mettle of every level of skier, from beginner to advanced.

In fact, Sunday River probably offers more diversity of terrain that any other resort in the northeast, with each peak taking on a distinctive character, from the precipitous White Cap (home to “White Heat,” known as the “longest, widest, steepest trail in the east”), and wooded Oz with its fine glade skiing.

Due to its location deep in Maine’s western mountains, Sunday River gets plenty of natural snow—when that fails, however, it is also has one of the best snowmaking systems in the northeast. The only drawback with the resort is its inaccessibility, a grueling 3.5 hour drive from Boston; for some, however, that’s a plus, since the drive weeds out casual Sunday skiers, and keeps more powder for the die-hards.

© Michael Blanding and Alexandra Hall from Moon New England, 2nd Edition