The Best Winter Activities in MidCoast Maine That Aren't Downhill Skiing

Snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, ice fishing, and cozy escapes for those who'd rather skip the chairlift

Here's a confession: not everyone comes to Maine in winter to barrel down a mountain at thirty miles per hour. Some of us prefer our winter adventures at a gentler pace—the satisfying crunch of snowshoes on fresh powder, the meditative glide of cross-country skis through quiet woods, or the contemplative stillness of waiting for a fish to bite through a hole in the ice.

MidCoast Maine understands this. While Camden Snow Bowl offers perfectly good downhill skiing just five minutes from Camp DeForest, the magic of winter also includes so much more! From snowshoe trails that wind through pine forests to cozy indoor escapes when you've had your fill of cold, this corner of Maine delivers winter on your own terms.

Consider this your guide to winter activities that don't require a lift ticket … or any particular athletic ambition. Just curiosity, warm layers, and maybe a thermos of something hot.

Snowshoeing: The Gentlest Way to Explore

There's something so beautiful about the simplicity of snowshoeing—strap on some oversized footwear and suddenly you can walk where you couldn't before. Frozen meadows, snow-covered trails, that hillside that looked impossible yesterday. Modern snowshoes have come a long way from the wooden tennis rackets of old; today's aluminum frames and crampon bindings make it feel less like a workout and more like winter wandering.

Good news for Camp DeForest guests: we rent snowshoes right here at camp. No need to haul equipment from home or track down a rental shop. Grab a pair, a set of poles, step out the door, and you're already on your way.

Where to Go

Camden Hills State Park transforms in winter. The same trails that draw summer hikers become quiet snowshoe routes with views of Penobscot Bay through bare branches. The Bald Rock Trail offers a moderate climb with a rewarding vista—on clear days, you can see all the way to Cadillac Mountain in Acadia. Just 12 minutes from Camp DeForest.

Hidden Valley Nature Center in Jefferson maintains over 25 miles of trails through 1,000 acres of preserved land. Their groomed Nordic trails work beautifully for snowshoeing too, and the nature center cabin offers a warming spot mid-adventure. It's about 30 minutes from camp, but worth the drive for a half-day excursion.

Merryspring Nature Center in Camden provides a gentler option—66 acres of woodland trails perfect for a morning ramble. The gardens sleep under snow, but the forest paths stay beautiful year-round. Admission is free, making this an easy spontaneous adventure.

Cross-Country Skiing: Glide Through the Quiet

If snowshoeing is walking in winter, cross-country skiing is dancing. There's a rhythm to it—kick, glide, kick, glide—that becomes meditative once you find your stride. Unlike downhill skiing's adrenaline rush, Nordic skiing rewards patience and presence. You notice more: the way light filters through snow-laden branches, the tracks of animals who passed before you, the sound of your own breath.

Where to Go

Camden Snow Bowl isn't just for downhill enthusiasts. Their free Nordic trails offer groomed routes for classic and skate skiing, with the bonus of that famous toboggan chute view. (More on that soon.) It's fifteen minutes from Camp DeForest—close enough that you can ski in the morning and still make it back for a late lunch at the Camp Café.

Hidden Valley Nature Center maintains some of the best-groomed Nordic trails in the region. They're serious about conditions here, tracking snow depth and grooming schedules so you know exactly what to expect. Trail passes are required but reasonable, and rentals are available on-site.

Tanglewood 4-H Camp in Lincolnville—practically our neighbors—opens its trails to the public in winter. The terrain is gentle, making it ideal for beginners or those who prefer a relaxing glide to a challenging workout.

Rentals: Maine Sport Outfitters in Rockport has everything you need, including expert advice on which trails suit your skill level. They can also point you toward lessons if you're new to Nordic skiing.

Ice Fishing: Patience Rewarded

First-timers are often surprised by how much they enjoy ice fishing—and honestly, it's rarely about the fish. It's meditation disguised as sport: an excuse to be outside on a frozen pond with nothing but your thoughts, a hole in the ice, and the occasional tug on the line. The catch is almost beside the point. Almost.

Maine's ice fishing season runs January 1 through March 31 on most inland waters. You'll need a Maine fishing license (available online at mefishwildlife.com), but the barrier to entry is otherwise low. A tip-up, some bait, warm clothes, and patience. That's the whole kit.

Where to Go

Megunticook Lake offers excellent ice fishing for landlocked salmon, lake trout, smallmouth bass, and brown trout. It's one of the larger lakes in the area, providing plenty of space to find your own quiet corner of ice.

Chickawaukie Pond in Rockland is popular with locals for bass and perch. Smaller and more accessible, it's a good choice for a morning excursion.

Hosmer Pond at Camden Snow Bowl serves double duty—it's where toboggan racers slide across the finish line, but it's also a peaceful ice fishing spot when events aren't running.

Pro tip: Check ice thickness before venturing out. Four inches of clear, solid ice is the minimum for walking; local bait shops can usually tell you about current conditions.

When You Need to Warm Up: Indoor Escapes

Even the heartiest winter adventurer needs to come inside eventually. The good news? MidCoast Maine's indoor options are just as characterful as its outdoor ones.

Museums Worth Your Time

Farnsworth Art Museum in Rockland houses one of the country's finest collections of American art, including three generations of Wyeth paintings. The winter light through the gallery windows feels appropriate for Andrew Wyeth's moody Maine landscapes. Take your time here—it rewards slow looking.

Owls Head Transportation Museum delights anyone who appreciates beautiful machines. Antique cars, motorcycles, and aircraft fill the hangars, with occasional winter demonstrations when they fire up a vintage engine.

Belfast Historical Society offers a more intimate experience—local history told through photographs, artifacts, and stories of the families who shaped this corner of Maine.

Breweries, Wineries & Warm Drinks

Cellardoor Winery is just six minutes from Camp DeForest—close enough for an afternoon tasting without worrying about the drive. Their tasting room stays cozy in winter, and their wines pair beautifully with a post-adventure cheese plate.

Marshall Wharf Brewing Co. in Belfast brews right on the harbor. Grab a flight, watch the boats (those still in the water, anyway), and warm up from the inside out.

Rock Harbor Brewing in Rockland offers another excellent option, with a rotating selection of craft beers and a welcoming taproom atmosphere.

Quirky Local Finds

Perry's Nut House in Belfast has been a roadside attraction since 1927. Part gift shop, part oddity museum, part candy store—it defies categorization but guarantees a smile. Pick up some locally roasted nuts for your cabin snack stash.

Belfast Curling Club welcomes newcomers to try their hand at this ancient sport. Their indoor ice house features three sheets of curling ice, and yes, there's a bar inside. (Our kind of sport.) Check their schedule for beginner sessions.

Winter Events Worth Planning Around

US National Toboggan Championships

February 6-8, 2026 at Camden Snow Bowl

This is one of the most delightful sporting events in America. Over 400 teams race down the historic 400-foot wooden toboggan chute at speeds that seem inadvisable, finishing with a slide across frozen Hosmer Pond. The costumes are half the fun—past teams have dressed as everything from lobsters to Vikings to characters from The Parent Trap. Even spectating feels like participating.

Camp DeForest is an official hospitality partner and just minutes from the chute—the closest full-service adventure oriented lodging to the event. Book early; this weekend fills up fast.

Planning Your Winter Adventure

What to Pack

Layers are everything. Start with moisture-wicking base layers, add insulating fleece or down, and top with a windproof/waterproof shell. Don't forget: warm hat, insulated gloves, wool socks, and sunglasses (snow glare is real). Hand and toe warmers are worth their weight in gold on particularly cold days.

The Best Part of Any Winter Day

Coming back to a warm cabin. At Camp DeForest, that means kicking off your boots, settling into a cozy spot, and maybe wandering over to the Lantern Bar for something to take the chill off. Our cabins are designed for exactly this kind of day—the kind where adventure and relaxation trade places as easily as the seasons.

Winter in MidCoast Maine isn't something to endure until summer returns. It's a season with its own gifts: the quiet of snow-muffled forests, the camaraderie of a curling lesson, the satisfaction of being outside when most people stay in. The slopes are there if you want them. But so is everything else.

Life is good in the woods—especially when there's snow on the ground.

Ready to plan your MidCoast Maine winter escape?

Book your stay at Camp DeForest and discover MidCoast Maine in its quietest, most beautiful season.