Experience year-round outdoor recreation, and relaxation, in this town nestled between forest reserves and some of the state’s tallest mountains.
Bethel is a small town surrounded by the natural splendor of soaring mountains and dense woods. Whether its summer adventures on the town’s nearby hiking trails and wild rivers or skiing down alpine slopes in winter, Bethel is ideal for enjoying nature to its fullest. The magnificent natural surroundings make for the perfect backdrop for rest and relaxation, so stop by one of Bethel’s secluded retreats, golf courses or spa centers.
With the White Mountain National Forest, Grafton Notch State Park and the Appalachian Trail in easy reach, Bethel is in the heart of a hiker’s wonderland. Pick from a wide range of hiking and biking trails and get to know the region’s superb flora and fauna. Go on a scenic drive or an ATV adventure and spot moose, deer, ducks and foxes. Umbagog National Wildlife Refuge gives you a good chance of spying some of Maine’s more reclusive creatures. Ride on horseback through wooded trails or go rockhounding in the mineral-rich mountains. Feel the wind in your hair on a thrilling zip-line adventure.
If it’s adventures on the water you seek, you’ll find boating, canoeing and kayaking hotspots abound in Bethel. See nature at its most wild when you discover waterfalls and white-water rapids. Check out the hunting and fishing action with a local guide. Bethel’s nearby golf courses are renowned for their picturesque tree-studded greens.
In winter, Bethel is minutes from some of Maine’s best skiing and snowboarding destinations. Discover family-friendly ski slopes at Mt. Abram or experience the grandeur of western Maine’s Mahoosuc Mountains when you visit Sunday River Resort. Groomed slopes and cross-country trails make this resort an exciting winter destination.
Take a break from adventure and spend some time in town, where you will find galleries, museums and theaters. Taste fresh local produce at the cafés and restaurants or have a cook-up over the campfire in your secluded camping site.
Bethel is situated on the Androscoggin River in central western Maine. The town has its own regional airport and is also easily accessible on a major interstate highway. Stay in Bethel’s historic inns, retreats, lakeside rentals or cozy hotels at any time of the year.
