Old Canada Road Scenic Byway Reviews

US 201 between Lakewood and the Canadian border is designated as the Old Canada Road National Scenic Byway. A very nice sign on the west side of the highway marks the southern aspect of the byway at Robbins Hill Scenic Overlook and Visitors Center, which is between Skowhegan and Solon. Rest stops along the highway have very impressive interpretative signage and nicely situated picnic tables. On our drive to Jackman on Memorial Day (25 May 2015), we did not have time to stop along the way since afternoon was ending and rain was starting. However, later in that week we took advantage of a spectacular day on Friday (29 May) and stopped at the beautiful Wyman Lake Rest Area, which is about midway between Bingham and The Forks. Just a bit north of that rest area is an historic site where Colonel Benedict Arnold and his troops in October 1775 crossed the Kennebec River and from the west shore then marched to the Dead River then on to Quebec City. A fitting plaque set into a large boulder marks that site. We also on that day visited Moxie Falls and enjoyed a picnic lunch at the nice rest area just south of the Kennebec River bridge at The Forks. Later in the afternoon we stopped at the spectacular Attean View Rest Area just south of Jackman and then hiked via Owl's Head Trail to an even more awesome viewpoint. On Wednesday of that week we took the highway from Jackman to the Canadian border and then on to Quebec City for a 2-day/1-night visit. This highway absolutely merits its designation as a National Scenic Byway.

We drove back to US on this road from Quebec and had no clue about its history. It was very peaceful drive. We stopped by Hawk's Nest Lodge for lunch and kept travelling south. It was joyful to see another region of US. America is so beautiful in all seasons.

Drove the Old Canada Road from Solon to the Canadian border during a fall foliage trip. The foliage wasn't anywhere near peak for late September except near the border past Jackman, but it was still a beautiful drive -- winding road and river, villages untouched by time, a few inns and B&Bs, many hiking trails, waterfalls. Mountain views were obscured by the roadside trees for the most part, but there were some spectacular vistas and scenic pull-offs. Not many gas stations, so don't run on empty.

If you want to admire sweeping views of the tranquil ponds, powerful rivers, green forest and wild flowers, Old Canada Road (National Scenic Byway Rte.201) is the right place to head to.

Our first stop was Attean Pond surrounded by mountains, young firs in all shades of green and multicolored wildflowers. Pink and purple lupine is in bloom now! What a beauty!

Our next stop was lovely tranquil Parlin Pond drowning in lush greenery. That’s a nice place for a picnic: there is a very pretty granite table with polished top and seats around it.

Then we reached The Forks, the community of 40 people or so, where two powerful rivers, the Dead River and the Kennebec River meet. The view of the bridge over the Dead River is a postcard image of rural Maine.

We also stopped at the historical landmark, which was a great find because any new place related to the American Revolution sparks our interest. The place called Caratunk has the memorial stone and several boards describing the place where colonel Benedict Arnold with his soldiers left the Kennebec River in October 1775 and marched from the West Shore in a North-East direction to Dead River on their way to Quebec. Only 600 soldiers survived that brutal and treacherous water pass… they were disease ridden, hungry, weakened by storms and flooding, challenged by rocky mountains, but they made it to Quebec and valiantly fought the battle to capture the British stronghold of Quebec City. The fight was lost, but they paved the way to the great American victory at Saratoga, NY, which let to the recognition of the American cause by the French Government.

And the last stop was near a bigger town, Skowhegan, at the very picturesque rest stop with fantastic panorama of the green mountains at the distance. The rest stop is in the middle of the vast field scattered with white wildflowers.

If you love Maine, Old Canada Road will be waiting for you.

If you are in Maine and want to see beautiful trees, take a drive on the Old Canada highway in the western part of the state. Head to Skowheagan and follow the signs. There are turn outs for picture taking. Beautiful river views and the fall colors are brilliant. If you enjoy hiking go to Moxie Falls and Houston Brook Falls. Take a snack with you or pack a picnic. This drive is very rural with very few places to eat once on the way. The total drive is 78 miles. It is easy to do all 78 miles or just a part.

We put our kayaks in the river at the Ball Field (free parking), where the Kennebec and Dead Rivers meet. We started with a picnic at the nearby rest area while we waited for the river to rise.

We enjoyed an effortless and leisurely two-hour paddle down to the Caratunk public boat landing where we had another vehicle parked to drive back to pick up our truck at the Ball Field. The river is not deep at all through this section and there's only one spot with some light ripples. Very easy trip!

Yes, we could easily have continued on down to the Moscow public boat landing. That would be a very full afternoon!

We were able to enjoy a large section of the Old Canada Road Scenic Byway from the riverside.

We knew we were anfew weeks early for peak folliage, but we went up for a drive on Old Canada Road anyway. Two hours from Portland, and then we spent another hour or two cruising the scenery. There are alot of places to pull off and take in the view, and there are a few picnic places as well. Beautiful views, and don't forget to take a side trip over to Moxie Falls... We can't wait to come back during peak folliage season.

Great drive with good quality road for the most part and surprisingly little log truck traffic or any other truck traffic for that matter. Practice up on your French, once you cross the border the English language completely disappears. The 'French language police' are always on the lookout for English words to stomp out such as...STOP replacing it with the French ARRET. Interesting that the French, in France use STOP, but not in Quebec.

Helpful hint: Fill your gas tank to the brim in Jackman 14 miles from the border, and you won't have to deal with gas pumps asking you questions in French or gas attendants who do don't speak a word of English. We made it back to Jackman with about a quarter of a tank. Once in Quebec City and staying at a tourist hotel you won't have a problem, but out in the countryside you will. Oh, and by the way, gas is about 50% more expensive in Canada.

Also motels are few and far in between, we stayed at Bishop's in Jackman on the way up and the Voyager in St. George on the way down. Bishop's offers a pretty good breakfast while the Voyager didn't but did have brand new rooms in one of the wings.

Beautiful drive through the trees. Some great outlets with nice views of the nearby lakes. Would definitely recommend buying gas in Jackman, as that is the biggest city you will come across.

Traveled up 201 on our way from Portland to Quebec City. Didn't realize it was scenic byway until we got there, but the title is well-deserved. There are multiple picture-moment views along the way and plenty of places to stop. Our travel was late afternoon/early evening so the sun was beginning to set which was even better. This was a weekday so there was virtually no traffic.

A highlight on our folliage trip. A great scenic byway with nice towns and great views to enjoy. But only on a sunny day in fall colours. We did not go all the way to the border but drove from Jackman to Moosehead Lake on route 6 and further to Abbot where we turned on to route 16 back to Moscow. Worth you while!!!