Recreation

Maine offers fun activities for both visitors and residents. No matter what your interests may be, you will find something of interest to you, whether it be battling the mighty Kennebec, walking down Main Street or just relaxing for the day at a lake. You will find fun in every season.

Spring

Spring in Mid-Maine is a time of renewal, with blooming flowers, warmer temperatures, and fresh Spring air.

Fishing enthusiasts will find prime spots as rivers and lakes thaw. Maine Wilderness Guide Services can help you plan your next fishing trip in the Belgrade Lakes Region.

Maple syrup season is in full swing, offering sugarhouse tours and fresh maple treats. Visit the Bacon Farm Maple Products' sugarhouse in Sidney on Maine Maple Sunday to learn about the Bacon family history of making maple syrup.

The Downtown Waterville Farmers Market relocates back to Head of Falls for the Summer months, offering fresh produce, locally farmed meats and handmade goods.

Birdwatchers can catch glimpses of migratory species returning to the region. Colby College’s entire campus is designated as a wildlife management area and 128 acres have been set aside as an arboretum and trail for walking and nature study.

Hiking trails are abundant throughout Mid-Maine, offering a variety of experiences for all skill levels. From leisurely woodland walks on the numerous Kennebec-Messalonskee Trails or Oxbow Nature Preserve in Waterville, to more challenging mountain climbs such as French Mountain in Rome, there’s a trail for everyone.

Summer

Summer in Mid-Maine is all about long, sunny days and outdoor adventure. With its countless lakes, rivers, and forests, the region is a paradise for boating, fishing, swimming, biking and kayaking.

For the outdoor folks and history buffs, explore Good Will-Hinckley’s campus. The campus features the L.C. Bates Museum with Arboretum and forest walking trails. Also visit the historic Moody Memorial Chapel.

Go for a picnic at Fort Halifax Park in Winslow or Head of Falls in Waterville, overlooking the Kennebec River. Visit Field of Dreams Park in Unity for some fun that the whole family can enjoy.

Summertime offers a great opportunity for white water rafting adventures on the Kennebec River. Contact North Country Rivers to sign up for your adventure today!

For those seeking off-road excitement, mid-Maine offers hundreds of miles of ATV trails, winding through forests, fields, and scenic backcountry. Whether you're looking for a leisurely ride or an adrenaline-pumping adventure, these trails provide the perfect way to explore the rugged beauty of the region.

Camping in the Mid-Maine region is the perfect way to immerse yourself in nature and enjoy the great outdoors. With a mix of lakeside campsites, deep-woods retreats, and family-friendly campgrounds, there’s something for every type of camper. Whether you prefer tent camping, RV sites, or cozy cabins, mid-Maine offers a peaceful escape for outdoor enthusiasts of all ages.

There are many different camps that children can attend. The Alfond Youth & Community Center hosts the Central Maine Basketball Camp, Camp Tracy, Karate Camp, Climbing Camp, Baseball Camp, Summer Golf Camp, and Summer Gymnastics Camp.

Thomas College and Colby College hold softball, soccer, basketball, and cheerleading camps.

If these aren’t the type of camps you’re looking for, Waterville Creates offers Missoula Children’s Theatre camps and school shows as well as art camps and classes throughout the Summer.  The New England Music Camp has students who perform concerts that are open to the public.

For outdoor activities, you can find tennis courts that are scattered throughout the area, including the Colby College’s campus and indoor at Champions Fitness Club.

Parks and playgrounds that feature soccer fields, baseball diamonds, bike trails and basketball courts, can be found in China, Fairfield, Winslow, Waterville, Oakland, Unity and in most towns in the mid-Maine Region.

Disc Golf has a strong presence in the Mid-Maine region. Be sure to visit Angry Lobster Disc Golf in Oakland.

Bicycling is another great summer activity that Mid-Maine has to offer. It’s a great way to take in the beautiful scenery, with our bike-friendly roads and shared-use paths. Visit Gorham Bike & Ski to be sure you have everything you need before you hit the road or trails.

To take you away from the summer heat, try visiting one of the many lakes or pools that are in the area. Pool facilities are located at the Morton Brody Playground, the Alfond Youth & Community Center, Best Western Plus, Fireside Inn & Suites, and Hampton Inn.

If you’re looking for waterfront rentals, try Loon Ridge of Belgrade There is also an abundant number of lakes, ponds and rivers that are accessible for swimming. Snow Pond Cruises will offer you a tour of Snow Pond aboard the Snowdrifter II.

Autumn

Autumn in Mid-Maine is well known for its beauty and one of the most beautiful times of the year to visit. Lush green foliage from Summer fades away to the bright, brilliant colors of red, orange, and yellow leaves. The air turns crisp and clear and harvest season arrives.

It’s a great time for tourists to come and pick their own fresh apples and pumpkins and to taste the homemade goodness of freshly baked apple pies. Fall also gives way to annual big-game hunting seasons, with thousands of any-deer, bear, and moose permits awarded annually.

With abundant woodlands and fields, Hunters also take advantage of the season by pursuing wild turkey, ruffed grouse, upland game and waterfowl.

Winter

There’s still much to enjoy in Mid-Maine during the Winter months, just be sure to bundle up with appropriate gear. Snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, downhill skiing, ice-skating, fat-tire biking and ice-fishing are just some of the fun activities residents and tourists partake in.

Skiiers should visit Quarry Road Trails for cross-country and downhill skiing, snowboarding, and snowshoeing fun.

Indoor and outdoor skating rinks are accessible around the region. Snowmobile trails are extensive in Fairfield, Winslow, and the outskirts of Waterville. Visit www.mesnow.com or download the SLEDTRX app for an area snowmobile trail map.

Sledding and tubing is popular among participants both young and old. Both Pine Ridge Golf Course and Colby College offer excellent places for sledding.

Ice fishing is another activity that you can enjoy throughout the area. The various waterways area offers a wide range of fish species. Mid-Maine offers plentiful ice fishing tournaments in the area as professional anglers and amateurs battle for the heftiest catch.

All Seasons

For those history buffs, you can visit Redington Museum and Apothecary, Thomas College, Colby College and the Paul J Schupf Art Center on Waterville’s Main Street to enjoy art museums featuring pieces from local and famous artists.

If you encounter an unfavorable weather day, go to one of Mid-Maine’s great indoor facilities. There are many health facilities in the area. They offer a variety of indoor tennis, racquetball, and basketball courts, aerobics, weight rooms, pools, saunas, massages, yoga and physical therapy programs.

These facilities can be found at Champions Fitness Club,  Best Western Plus, Rose Key Reiki & Massage, and Apollo Day Spa.

The region offers many activities that are great for families or friends. You can go to Maine Film Center for a good movie, and the Waterville Opera House or The Playhouse at Waterville Station if you’d rather watch a play.

We also have many bars, nightclubs, sports bars and taverns spread throughout the area for a night on the town.

If you are interested in college level ball, visit Thomas College , Kennebec Valley Community College and Colby College. Sport rivalries run strong in our region, so every game promises to be exciting and action-packed. If you are more interested in shopping, we have downtown Waterville that offers a variety of small specialty shops and outstanding restaurants that appeal to everyone.

A year-round attraction, the Kennebec-Chaudière International Corridor is a tourist route rich in history and culture with heritage that links the providence of Quebec to the state of Maine.

For campers, Waterville offers an RV Dump Station at the Kennebec Sanitary Treatment District, 401 Water St, Waterville ME 04901 / 207-873-0611. Go straight in through gate and there is a bayonet hose next to commercial ramp on your left. No water is available. Open Mon-Fri, 7am-3:30pm. $10 or less. For information on other dump stations, go to: https://www.rvdumps.com/maine/