This Maine Boat Ride is a Spectacular Must-Do During Leaf-Peeping Season

If you've lived in Maine for any amount of time, then you are surely aware of all the Maine rivers, lakes and ponds that are at our disposal when it comes to where to go boating.

However, as an avid boater, there is one journey that remains my absolute favorite of the year. (I say 'of the year' because it's typically a trip that we only do once a year, sometimes twice if we have the time.)

If you're a Maine boat owner, or know someone that has a boat (even better!), you need to go on this epic half-day trip down Maine's mighty Kennebec River.

And, if I were you, I would do it late-September through mid-October.

The trip I am talking about is Gardiner to Boothbay Harbor.

Depending on the type of boat you have and how fast you cruise, you can do the trip down in well under two hours.

Start in Gardiner and follow the Kennebec River all the way to Bath. You'll pass dozens of islands, marinas and million dollar homes on the way. Once you reach Bath Iron Works, bang a left and enter the Sasanoa River.

From there, the Sasanoa will take you along a windy journey, through Upper Hells Gates, a couple of bays, and eventually spit you out at the mouth of Maine's beautiful Boothbay Harbor.

I went on this trip recently with my family. And maybe even better than seeing all the changing color in the trees is the wildlife. If you watch closely, you're almost guaranteed to see eagles, cormorants, puffins and harbor seals.

And, if you hit the harbor at the right time, you'll even see chartered schooners and mini-cruise ships, too!

Boothbay Harbor has a free municipal dock attached to the foot bridge which provides three-hour docking. Plenty of time to grab a bite to eat and some saltwater taffy before venturing out for the return trip.

So, simply put, if you haven't done this trip before, you have to put it on your fall bucket list.

And I like said earlier, if you don't own your own boat, just make friends with someone that has one an you'll be good to go!

Happy Boating!