10 Best Things to Do in Bethel Maine

Bethel is a beautiful mountain town in western Maine and is home to one of the best ski resorts in Maine. The small town is known for excellent skiing at Sunday River and beautiful mountain views. Although winter is a fun time to visit, Bethel has things to do year-round!

I have visited Bethel in every season, so I know you will love it no matter when you visit. I love hiking and exploring its beautiful waterfalls and scenic drives year-round!

And the best part? It has something to do for everyone, including hiking trails, beautiful waterfalls, and fun water activities. No matter what season you visit, there are many things to do in Bethel for the entire family. This guide has everything you need to know about the best things to do in Bethel year-round!

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Best Time to Visit Bethel Maine

Winter is a great time to visit Bethel if you want to ski or snowboard. Sunday River is one of the best ski resorts in Maine, with over 53 miles of trails, and is near the heart of Bethel. Bethel also offers many trails for snowshoeing or cross-country skiing.

Spring in Bethel has beautiful weather, wildflowers, and flowing waterfalls. After the snowmelt, the waterfalls are gushing, so visiting them is one of the best things to do in Bethel in the spring! The beginning of spring is also a great time to ski at Sunday River without many layers. If you want to hike, I highly recommend reading recent trail reviews and packing layers and extra traction. The snow can linger on the trails through June, especially in the higher elevations, so it is crucial to have the appropriate gear!

Summer has endless activities and things to do in Bethel. All hiking trails are open in the summer, so the opportunities are endless. There are also many beautiful swimming holes to cool off, or you can tube in the Androscoggin River.

Fall is a beautiful time to visit Bethel because of the beautiful fall foliage. The foliage paints the mountains and valleys in beautiful colors. The weather is cool with low humidity, so fall is one of the best times to hike! Because fall is one of the most popular times to visit, many of the best things to do in Bethel will have crowds. I highly recommend visiting the must-see attractions early in the day to avoid most crowds.

Best Places to Stay in Bethel Maine

Although Bethel is a small town, it has everything you need for a getaway! There are restaurants, brewing companies, grocery stores, and accommodations.

Best Hotels in Bethel:

Best Campgrounds in Bethel:

unique places to stay in maine

What to Pack for a Trip to Bethel Maine

Hiking Boots: If you want comfort and support on your trip, hiking boots are the go to.
Hiking Socks: Having moisture-wicking and comfortable hiking socks are just as important for exploring.
Hiking Backpack: You need something to carry all your food, clothes, and anything else you need while adventuring, so having a supportive hiking backpack is crucial.
Hydration Reservoir/Water Bottles: While hiking or just exploring, it is important to have enough water! I always pack a hydration reservoir.
Jackets: The weather is unpredictable, so I always pack a rain jacket and insulated jacket.
Ten Essentials: The Ten Essentials are crucial for hiking!
Microspikes: If you plan on winter hiking, you will need to bring microspikes.
Snowshoes: Also if you hike in the winter, you may need snowshoes.

The Best Things to Do in Bethel Maine

Sunday River

Sunday River is one of the best ski resorts in Maine and one of the best things to do in Bethel! The beautiful ski area has over 53 miles of trails on 870 acres over eight interconnected peaks. It has ski trails for all levels, making it perfect for the entire family!

If you want to visit Bethel in the warmer months, do not worry! Sunday River offers year-round fun. In the warmer months, you can enjoy a Scenic Lift Ride that is also dog-friendly. Meadow loved joining us on the ride up to the top.

The gondola is a fantastic way to see easily see mountain views. You can also hike up the ski trails to the top! No matter what time of year you visit, Sunday River is one of the best things to do in Bethel!

Sunday River Covered Bridge

Bethel is home to one of the most photographed covered bridges in Maine! The Sunday River Covered Bridge (also known as Artist’s Covered Bridge) was built in 1872 and is closed to car traffic, allowing you to explore the inside of the bridge. The area is also a great swimming spot in the summer! The Sunday River Covered Bridge is one of the best things to do in Bethel for the entire family.

Bethel Pathway

The Bethel Pathway is one of the best things to do in Bethel year-round! The 3.4-mile round trip trail travels through Bethel, connecting picnic areas, a playground, and a boat launch. It’s the perfect place for walking, biking, and cross-country skiing. The trail is well-maintained and relatively flat, so it is for the entire family.

Valentine Farm

Valentine Farm is one of the most underrated things to do in Bethel, and it is one of our favorite places to hike with Meadow. It has trails that wander through a beautiful forest, to a pollinating area, and near the Androscoggin River. The preserve is also a great area to see wildlife, including birds, moose, foxes, deer, and bears. If you want a quiet walk, Valentine Farm is perfect!

Bethel Community Forest

The Bethel Community Forest is a beautiful area in Bethel that has fun hikes. The 980-acre forest has miles of trails for the entire family. You can enjoy mountain biking the 1.7-mile Tribute Trail or hiking the 3.6-mile Summit Ridge Trail.

The Summit Ridge Trail has some of the best views in Bethel Community Forest. The trail has steep sections, but the effort is worth it for the mountain views! If you are looking to mountain bike or hike, Bethel Community Forest is one of the best things to do in Bethel.

Kayaking or Tubing on the Androscoggin River

If you visit Bethel in the summer, you can tube or kayak on the Androscoggin River! The Bethel Outdoor Adventure & Campground has canoes, kayaks, paddleboards, and tubes you can rent. The Androscoggin River is stunning, and you will love spending time on the water in the summer!

Grafton Notch State Park

Grafton Notch State Park is one of the most beautiful state parks in Maine and one of my favorite places to visit near Bethel! The state park has over 3,000 acres and includes one of the tallest mountains in Maine, Old Speck Mountain.

The best part about Grafton Notch State Park is there is something for the entire family! You can hike to Screw Auger Falls and Step Falls and view beautiful waterfalls. If you want a challenging hike, you can hike 7.4 miles round trip to Old Speck Mountain and enjoy stunning views.

If you don’t want to hike, you can enjoy a beautiful 21-mile scenic drive through the state park and take in the mountain views from the car and overlooks. No matter what you want to do, Grafton Notch State Park is one of the best things to do in Bethel!

best hikes in grafton notch

the best hikes near bethel maine

Maggie’s Nature Park

Maggie’s Nature Park is a beautiful area with trails for all levels, making it one of the best things to do near Bethel! If you want an easy hike, you can enjoy the 1.1-mile Inner Loop Trail that travels through the forest.

If you want a more challenging hike, you can hike the 2-mile round trip trail to Peaked Mountain. Peaked Mountain offers stunning views of Twitchell Pond and surrounding mountains and is worth the effort!

Buck’s and Lapham Ledges

One of the most underrated things to do near Bethel is hiking in Buck’s and Lapham Ledges. The beautiful forest offers a variety of trails for all levels and breathtaking views of the surrounding ponds and mountains.

The best hike, in my opinion, is the 2.5-mile round trip trail to Buck’s Ledge. Buck’s Ledge has one of the best views overlooking Mount Abram, North Pond, South Pond, and the surrounding mountains. It is also the best spot for sunset! We watched the sunset from here, and it was incredible.

The 1.4-mile round trip loop to Lapham Ledge is the easiest trail and offers views of the surrounding area. You could also hike the 4.6-mile round trip trail to Lapham Ledge, Moody Mountain, and Buck’s Ledge if you want a more challenging hike. No matter which hike you choose, you will love this beautiful area!

Mount Will

Mount Will is a beautiful hike near Bethel, offering stunning views of the Androscoggin River Valley. The 3-mile round trip hike is steep in some sections but is worth the effort once you reach the top. The trail also has blueberries in the summer to enjoy! It’s also a great trail for snowshoeing in the winter. Hiking Mount Will is one of the best things to do in Bethel year-round!

Please note: This trail travels through private property, so make sure to stay on the marked trail.

We loved visiting Bethel, so I know you will enjoy your time here no matter what season you visit. If you want to visit Bethel, this guide is the perfect place to start! It has everything you need to know about the best things to do in Bethel year-round!