Anyone make the trip up to Maine in a Taco?

My wife and I are planning an impromptu trip up to Maine for a week. We (me) are doing some last minute mods to the Tacoma to make the trip, including the addition of a RTT. So... we’re trying to keep the itinerary pretty loose. However, I want to have some destinations in mind so that we can point ourselves in a direction to start with.

I have the following in mind:
US SIde of Niagara Falls,
Acadia National Park,
Portland Maine,
Bar Harbor Maine,
L.L. Bean Headquarters

Anybody else have some good ideas as well?

 

Sounds like you've got the tourist zones checked in good shape. While in Portland the Old Port is the best bet for food, Portland Head is the typical 'New England Lighthouse' if you're into that sort of thing. If you're cruising up Route 1, I always recommend the Owls Head Transportation Museum to people. They've done most of their shows for the year at this point, but the Wings & Wheels show is the weekend of August 3rd (not sure when you're coming up?) and is their biggest event of the year.

 

Niagara falls is 3 states away. ha

I found Maine to be disappointing. but.. we didn't make it up to the national park or up north, which, would likely have saved the trip.

Azure cafe in Freeport had some excellent clam chowder... The LL Bean store was meh as was most of freeport. Downtown felt like an outlet mall.

Portland downtown was nice for dinner and drinks.

The drive in VT and NY was nice. Sounds like we are going to hit this area up over labor day to do some hiking and chilling away from people.

a bad day of vacation is better than a good day at work

 

We will be heading out of Cincinnati the weekend of the August 3rd... so we wouldn’t make it up there in time. Truly we’re looking to get off the grid more than anything. I’d love to know where the locals go explore.

 

The wife and I love to find new places to hike and just hang out. Might bring our mount bikes as well... haven’t ridden in a few years!!!

I’ve spent some time in Portland for work. A little college town which was cool for drinks and dinner. Done the light house thing and saw LL Bean while there. I did all of it solo over 15 years ago. I want to share some of the experience with the wife.

We are all about the journey...

I’m with you:

 

Downtown IS an outlet mall. The only thing I hit when I go to Freeport is Bean's, and I make sure to go at odd hours to avoid the crowds.

 

If you want adventure, head to the wilds of Maine. Greenville is a good stepping off point to Maine's big woods. Another great area is Baxter State Park and the nearby Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument.

 

You’re speaking my language. Are there any off road trails which allow camping?

 

I travel gravel roads, not true off-roading. There are lots of those types of roads, including the famous Golden Road. There are others on the forum who are more knowledgeable on off-roading and camping. Try posting the question here:

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/new-england-b-s-thread.204874/page-8038#post-21149465

Here's a YouTube video of off-roading and camping in the Maine North Woods.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HRkLs4Vfzag

 

I’ll read the thread more before posting ideas, but the US side of Niagara isn’t anything special, the Canadian side is way better.

 

Don’t be afraid to drive up to Aroostook county, if you coming from the west, drive through the Green mountains in VT and Whites in NH, then cross into Maine and work your way up to Acadia or Northern Maine, you will enjoy the ride more if you stay off the highway, and the extra drive time is worth it.

 

Your first post is pretty much all tourist destinations and will be filled with lots and lots of people this time of year. Obviously there's some stuff worth seeing in every location, and others have already hit on greater Portland area being huge on food / beer right now.

But if you want to get off grid, you'll be looking at several hours drive north. And obviously that kinda depends on your definition of 'remote'. Generally anything North of Greenville and West of Rt 11 will be getting kind of remote by Maine standards. A very large portion of the North Maine Woods has no cell service and would truly be the most remote part of the state. If you are going hardcore, probably have some kind of long range comms (HAM or Satellite) and bring passports as a last ditch 'oh shit' measure - Canada is often times the nearest civilization up there.

Check out the NMW website for general info, downloadable maps, and a list of fees based on your length of stay and # of people (cash only).
https://www.northmainewoods.org/

Plenty of side roads and old unused logging yards that would be suitable for dispersed camping. It will be fairly obvious what areas are active logging operations and you'll want to avoid those as far as camping goes. The logging industry isnt what it used to be up there, but active operations and big trucks still have the right-of-way so move over if you see them coming. If you have a CB, ch19 is worth monitoring. Also dust will likely be an issue too unless its been raining just as a heads up.

Spare tire, wheel lock keys (if needed), jack, tire plug kit & compressor, 5 gallons of gas, general tools, bug spray, and tick removal device (tick spoon) are all great things to have on hand!

Getting back to camping spots for a minute - one of the maps on the NMW site has a list of 'designated' camping sites. The people at the gatehouse will probably ask where you are camping. They generally have picnic table, fire ring (no permit needed), and some (most?) have an outhouse. These are first come first serve type of deals, no reservations. Some are big enough for several vehicles, some are smaller. Baxter SP also has camping, though Im not sure if its something you could use a RTT at or if you would have to park and hike in..

FYI theres also a Maine thread on here that you can post in and get some answers. Plenty of guys on here who are familiar with different parts of the state.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/maine.58297/page-133

 

Beat me to it Zach. Haha.

Yep. You can do a few hundred miles without hitting a paved road or a house up there if you want. Plenty of camping. Pick up a Maine Delorme map. Sites marked on there. It doesn't suck.

 

Actually, I'll probably be up there that week so feel free to hit us up.

@SR-71A honeymooning haha

 

Dude nice! Hopefully the weather is good for you guys. Gonna be up there all week?

 

I'll PM you

 

Katahdin Iron Works above Brownville Junction on Rt 11. Many roadside camping areas. Gulf Hagas and Screw Auger Falls are nice hiking destinations. Has been a wet spring/summer, so water levels should be good.

 

Screw auger falls is deff a sweet one. Can hit angel falls too while around there

 

This is awesome. Thanks for everyone’s feedback. I’ll definitely x-post this in the Maine thread... excellent advice. I’m in airplanes for most of the day today but will spend more time digging through the details tonight.

 

I'd also say skip Niagara and allow time to roam VT. Especially if you like beer. Still holds if you don't. Or look into ausable chasm tubing in NY or what not.