THE NORTHEAST’S OUTBACK
MOUNTAIN BIKE THE CARRABASSETT VALLEY
Maine Huts & Trails operates a string of four backcountry eco-lodges connected by 80 miles of trail, so you can set off for a few days without having to equip your bike with camp gear. You can overnight in a bunkroom or reserve a private room in advance; food, beer, and wine are available for purchase, too. For the best itinerary, connect the Poplar Hut, Stratton Brook Hut, and Sugarloaf Outdoor Center.
GLAMP ACADIA
Somewhere between a designer lodge and roughing it, the brand-new Terramor Outdoor Resort sits just outside Acadia National Park. Each of the 64 two- to five-person “tents” is outfitted with Wifi, electricity, a Chemex Coffeemaker, and a ceiling fan. The line is drawn, however, at air conditioning—it’s all natural. The units are scattered in the woods around a lodge with a bar and restaurant, so packing has never been easier.
PADDLE MOOSEHEAD LAKE
The largest mountain lake in the eastern
U.S., Moosehead is 40 miles long, contains over 80 islands, and features a peninsula that hosts Mount Kineo, a sheer-faced volcanic beauty you can paddle right up to—and even climb. Base yourself at The Birches Resort to join a seven-hour guided tour or rent a sea kayak for the journey. birches.com
GET A NEW LOOK AT KATAHDIN
Mount Katahdin is the highest point in Maine and the northern terminus of the Appalachian Trail, but if you don’t want to climb it you can still get quite a view from the recently opened Katahdin Woods & Waters National Monument. It encompasses 87,563 acres of remote wilderness located along the East Branch of the Penobscot River. Before setting out with your mountain bike, kayak, or backpacking gear, get a map from Map Adventures. mapadventures.com