Under a Full Moon: Find Activities Guided by Maine Land Trusts

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. It’s in these moments that Maine’s land trusts come alive after dark, offering guided full moon walks, hikes and immersive outdoor experiences that invite you to see the natural world from a new perspective. Many of these programs are free, welcoming visitors and locals alike to slow down and step into the rhythm of the seasons. 

Spring & Summer: Watch the Skies in Warmer Weather

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 Wells, the Wells Reserve at Laudholm hosts its popular guided night walks (paid), 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 (paid) 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: Illuminating Dark & Crisp Nights

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. 

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 (paid) 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 (paid). 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 (paid), 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 (paid), 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.

Find a Maine Land Trust

Maine’s land trusts also offer a host of other activities and workshops throughout the year, plus volunteer opportunities that connect people more deeply to the land. Wherever your travels take you, locate one near your destination and learn more about their offerings.