Explore Maine by the Full Moon with Guided Night Tours
When the full moon rises over Maine, the landscape transforms. Trails glow in soft silver light, forests grow hushed and even familiar places feel quietly mysterious. Explore these peaceful places with Maine’s land trusts (many of which offer free experiences), as well as tour companies that offer guided full moon walks, hikes and immersive outdoor experiences throughout the year.
Spring & Summer: Night Paddles, Hikes & Walks
April: Pink Moon; May: Flower Moon; June: Strawberry Moon; July: Buck Moon; August: Sturgeon Moon; September: Harvest Moon
As temperatures rise, Maine’s evenings become softer, longer and filled with the sounds of rustling leaves, distant waves and the calls of nocturnal wildlife.
In Portland, kayak through Casco Bay on Portland Paddle’s Moonlight Paddle experience, which offers panoramic views of the night skies and the glowing city skyline in the distance. Or enjoy a charter boat experience with a Private Full Moon Cruise offered by Broad Reach Adventures. You’ll board a powerboat and enjoy a leisurely cruise past iconic lighthouses and islands, with opportunities to spot seals and porpoises beneath the moonlit sky.
Go deeper into nature with Maine Audubon on an evening paddle through Scarborough Marsh, where you can take in the sights and sounds of birds and other wildlife.
Iconic Maine outdoor brand L.L.Bean also features a full lineup of outdoor adventures through their L.L.Bean Outdoor Discovery Programs. From June through September during select weeks, the Full Moon Kayak Tour departs from their Freeport paddling center to explore inner Casco Bay in two-person tandem kayaks.
In Wells, the Wells Reserve at Laudholm hosts its popular guided night walks, where ocean breezes create a sensory-rich experience as you enjoy the National Estuarine Research Preserve, known for its more than 285 species of birds. Also along the coast, the Maine Coast Heritage Trust offers events like an evening walk at Mason Bay Preserve in Jonesport, where participants can listen for the distinctive calls of woodcock, and gatherings at Woodward Point in Brunswick, where bonfires add a warm, communal touch to the night.
Inland, the Hirundo Wildlife Refuge’s offerings near Old Town include both moonlit walks and paddling trips on Pushaw Stream. Gliding across still water under a full moon offers a rare sense of calm and every paddle stroke feels unhurried.
Fall & Winter: Full Moon Hiking & Snowshoeing
October: Hunter’s Moon; November: Beaver Moon; December: Cold Moon; January: Wolf Moon; February: Snow Moon; March: Worm Moon
From October through March, a series of full moons pass overhead while Maine’s colder months bring stillness and quiet. Snow-covered trails and crisp night air set the stage for memorable outings as land trusts host a variety of nighttime experiences.
Explore snow-covered landscapes on the Starlight Snowshoeing Tour at the L.L. Bean Fogg Farm in Freeport, where you’ll learn winter trail skills, discover seasonal wildlife and plants, and warm up afterward with hot cocoa and snacks—all equipment included.
In the Oxford Hills area around Norway, the Western Foothills Land Trust leads moonlit snowshoe treks through quiet woodlands at spots like Hawk Mountain Preserve, where each step crunches underfoot. Snowshoe excursions are also offered at Hurricane Valley Farm in Falmouth through the Falmouth Land Trust, as well as the Hirundo Wildlife Refuge near Old Town.
In North Berwick, the Great Works Regional Land Trust hosts hikes up Bauneg Beg Mountain, blending gentle exertion with the quiet beauty of the night. The Royal River Conservation Trust offers additional guided hikes around New Gloucester, including a trek up the Pisgah Hill Preserve and on the Pineland Farms campus. The Coastal Mountains Land Trust guides hikers up Beech Hill Preserve in Rockport, where an open hilltop rewards the climb with wide views under a glowing sky.
Also near the ocean, the Wells Reserve at Laudholm offers tranquil evening walks, among salt marshes and coastal paths. Breathe in the salty air during a gentle hike under the full moon around Woodward Point with the Maine Coast Heritage Trust in Brunswick. Around Scarborough, explore Scarborough Marsh with the Eastern Trail Alliance or Pleasant Hill Preserve with the Scarborough Land Trust for a chance to experience familiar landscapes in a completely different light.
Some experiences invite a different kind of connection. The Kittery Land Trust offers guided forest bathing sessions at the Seapoint Beach headlands, encouraging participants to slow down and engage their senses beneath the moonlight. In Cushing, the Georges River Land Trust opens the Langlais Art Preserve for nighttime wandering, where wooden sculptures emerge from the shadows in unexpected ways.