It was only later in life that I gained an appreciation for fall foliage. Growing up in Maine, the changing colors of the leaves were just background noise in the march toward winter, not an attraction in and of itself. However, now I find myself charmed by the vibrant reds, oranges and yellow that blanket the state in October.

I’m not alone. While it doesn’t get quite as much attention as summer tourism, fall in Maine is a big deal – the Maine Office of Tourism reported more than 8 million visitors to the state last autumn. While there are plenty of wonderful fall attractions, there’s little doubt that foliage is a major factor in bringing in visitors from all over the world.

At this point we’re already past peak foliage in a number of spots around the state. The Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry – which tracks the changing leaves at MaineFoliage.com – splits the state into a number of different geographic zones to track the leaves. The majority of these are past peak, with most of northern and eastern Maine on the wane. However, southern Maine and the foothills are just coming into their own right now.

A number of trips will take you to some of Maine’s best foliage, either by foot, bike, car or kayak.

A 40-mile drive from Erroll, New Hampshire, to Bethel along Route 26 offers a beautiful ramble for drivers, as well as ambitious cyclists. Pit stops at the Lake Umbagog National Wildlife Refuge, the Spruce Meadow Picnic Area and myriad spots in Grafton Notch State Park provide places to take in both foliage and wildlife, as well as embark on a few hikes.

In terms of hikes offering bang for your buck, it’s hard to beat Table Rock. The trailhead is on the east side of Route 26, about halfway between Erroll and Bethel. The 21/2-mile loop climbs nearly 1,000 vertical feet to a flat, open bluff (hence the name) with a great view of the notch and a dramatic drop.

In the western mountains, both Sunday River and Sugarloaf are gearing up for the ski season this weekend. In Newry, the two-day, annual Fall Festival started Saturday and concludes with a craft fair and outdoor concerts from the Pete Kilpatrick Band and the Mallett Brothers Band. On the foliage front, the resort is offering free wagon rides from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and scenic chairlift rides ($15 for adults, $10 for kids 6-12, and free to season-pass holders) to Peak Lodge, where visitors get an unhindered view of the Mahoosuc Mountains.

At Sugarloaf, this is Homecoming Weekend with Sunday featuring the Upcountry Artists craft show wrapping up in the base lodge, as well as a day-long Beach Party in front of the lodge. On the hill, Sugarloaf is offering free scenic lift rides all day, and paid zipline and Segway tours. And if you’re looking for a bit of different perspective, you can always hike nearby Bigelow or Tumbledown (in Weld) for spectacular panoramas of the Maine mountains.

Closer to southern Maine, it’s hard to beat the final days of foliage in the Sebago Lake region. This weekend marks the end of the season for Songo River Queen II, and grabbing a ride is an ideal way to take in the bright colors of fall. A privately built replica of the paddle wheelers that famously traveled the Mississippi River, the River Queen leaves from downtown Naples and covers 12 miles of Long Lake. The final cruises, running through Monday, depart at noon and last for two hours.

If you’d prefer self-powered touring, a number of boat launches allow for a water-level view of the changing leaves. The public landing in Raymond on Route 302 provides access to Jordan Bay, and there’s access to Thomas Pond and Long Lake on the same road as you head west. One of the best hidden secrets for waterborne leaf peeping is Kettle Cove, which can be accessed from Point Sebago Road in Casco. After launching into Kettle Cove, kayakers and canoers can easily paddle into Sebago Lake proper, where the beautiful Dingley Islands frame the larger lake in vibrant color.

With many Mainers enjoying a three-day weekend for Columbus Day, take the time to explore the Maine woods. It’s only once a year that nature provides us with a technicolor art show – best check it out now before all we’re seeing is grey and white.

Josh Christie is a freelance writer and lifetime outdoors enthusiast. He shares column space in Outdoors with his father, John Christie. Josh can be contacted at:

joshua.j.christie@gmail.com

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