It’s SUMMER! It really is! That means it’s high time to get our summer plans in order, so we’re sure not to miss a moment of it. We can hike and swim and ride bikes and race in mud and workout outside and paddle under the full moon and trail run and dance in the streets and so much more.
To help, I’ve rounded up a host summer-load of things to do.
Check out these summer posts, too:
– Hike + Swim: 20+ trail hikes that include a refreshing swimming hole dip
– Sweet retreats: De-stress at one of these Maine (or near Maine) retreats
– Outdoor workouts
– Paddling Southern Maine: 10 beginner-friendly places to kayak and SUP
30+ active things to do in Maine this summer
Lady Slide Surf Lessons
June 27 (and July 11, 18, 25, August 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 and September 5)
Higgins Beach, Scarborough
$50 per class, wetsuit and board included
Meets at the Bath House at Higgins Beach, Scarborough
www.eventbrite.com
Learn surf etiquette and the surfing basics during a Lady Slide surf lesson on Wednesdays at Higgins Beach. Your surf confidence will soar. 6 p.m. Wednesdays beginning June 27 and into September (between the hour-long lesson, stretching & putting wetsuits on and off, the session ends around 7:45 p.m.)
Fit Maine tried it! Women’s surfing lessons Wednesdays at Higgins Beach with Maine Surfers Union
Full Moon Canoe Tour
June 27 (more Full Moon Canoe Tours on July 26 and Aug 25)
Hirundo Wildlife Refuge, Old Town
$10 includes paddle, PDF, canoe, and guide
Beavers are nocturnal. Turns out, so is the moon. This happy coincidence means that, during a full moon paddle on Pushaw Stream, you’re surely going to spot some beavers. And – clouds depending – a big, fat, bright moon. Hirundo Wildlife Refuge in Old Town leads guided canoe trips every month under the full moon.
Fit Maine checked it out: Full Moon Paddle at Hirundo Wildlife Refuge in Old Town
Full Moon and Sunset Canoe Tour
June 28, 29 & 30 (more Full Moon Canoe Tours on July 27, 28 & 29, 7:30-9 p.m.
August 24, 25 & 26, 7-8:30 p.m. Sunset Canoe Tours on July 12, 7-8:30 p.m., August 7, 7-8:30 p.m. and August 17, 6:30-8 p.m.)
Maine Audubon, Scaborough Marsh
$16 Full Moon tours, $14 Sunset TOurs
maineaudubon.coursestorm.com
Climb into a canoe as the sun is setting and enjoy a guided paddle through the twists and turns of the Scarborough Marsh as the full moon shows itself (hopefully – assuming it’s a clear sky). Watch for black-crowned night heron along the bank or snowy egret flying back to a nearby island for the evening. You may even see a harbor seal or a muskrat playing in the water.
Fit Maine checked it out: Sunset and full moon canoe tours on the Scarborough Marsh with Maine Audubon
Maine YogaFest
June 29-July 1
East End Community School & East End Beach, Portland
$130 for five-workshop pass, $94 for three-workshop pass, $76 for two-workshop pass, prices go up 6/29
www.maineyogafest.com
All kinds of yoga, all weekend long. From the popular paddleboard yoga sessions on the water, to sessions focusing on inversions, aerial yoga, SPA yoga, Yamuna Body Rolling, meditation, and more. Lectures and talks, breakfast bar, vendor village, music and more.
Yoga at Bug Light Park
July 1 (More classes all summer at 10-11 a.m. Sundays and 6-7 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays)
Bug Light Park, South Portland
$10-$15 donation
www.facebook.com/pg/kellyrichyoga/events
This is the third season that yoga instructor Kelly Rich has led classes at Bug Light Park in South Portland. She’s created quite a community along the way – and yogis of all levels turn up to do yoga in the grass all summer long. The setting is spectacular: stellar views of the Portland skyline, the boats passing between Portland Harbor and Casco Bay, the sounds of kids playing, the feel of cool grass on the soles of your feet.
Fit Maine went! Yoga at Bug Light Park in South Portland with Kelly Rich (and amazing views!)
Goat Yoga
July 5 (multiple dates in July, August, and September)
Smiling Hill Farm, Westbrook
$20
ashleyflowersyoga.com/schedule/goat-yoga/
Goat Yoga summers continue at Smiling Hill Farm in Westbrook. Instructor Ashley Flowers leads the all-levels outdoor yoga class as goat mill and jump about. You’ll have 15 minutes to hang with the goats and take photos before yoga begins, and another 15 minutes after, so there’s plenty of goat time AND yoga time. (Also, Smiling Hill Farm makes awesome ice cream, so…)
Paddle Battle
8:30 a.m. July 7
Tarry A While Resort, Bridgton
$55 (free t-shirt for first 25 )
www.mainelakes.org/educationevents/paddle-battle
A 2K course for recreational paddlers and a 5K course for the cruisers! There will be real competition but the race is about having fun and raising money to protect Maine’s beautiful lakes. Proceeds benefit the Lakes Environmental Association.
Wicked Muddy Mainer
July 7
Thornton Family Campground, Orrington
$75
FMI: www.thewickedmuddymainer.com
Imagine a monstrous course boasting 20 obstacles spanning over 120 acres of “mud-soaked trudging hell.” Sounds fun, right? Sure, you’ll be challenged along the way, but this mud-covered obstacle race is still very much about having a good time. Racers are released in waves starting at 8 a.m.
Bradbury Mountain Trail Running Series
July 8 (races on August 12 and September 9 as well)
Bradbury Mountain, Pownal
$30 per race
trailmonsterrunning.com/bradburydirt
Race on the trails at Bradbury Mountain State Park with this race series hosted by Trail Monster Running. Early registration has already filled up for all three – the 6-mile Bradbury Scuffle on July 8, the 9-mile Bradbury Mountain Breaker on August 12, and the 12-mile Bradbury Bruiser on September 9. But an additional 40 spots will open up two weeks before each race.
Hiking Yoga
July 8 (also on July 22, August 5, August 19, September 2)
Mount Agamenticus, York
$20 drop-in
yogaonyork.com
Do mountain pose ON A MOUNTAIN. Or tree pose among trees. And have the yoga instructor guide you to reach for the sky or point your toes toward the ocean. Join Yoga on York for a Sunday-morning hiking yoga class. It’s about 15 minutes to hike up Mount Agamenticus, followed by yoga at the summit.
Fit Maine tried it. Read more about it: Hiking yoga on Mount Agamenticus with Yoga on York
SUP Yoga Beginner’s Workshop
July 14
York Town Dock, York
$99
www.koanwellness.com
Been wanting to try SUP Yoga but a little nervous about it? This beginner’s workshop is for you. KOAN Wellness leads SUP Yoga classes in York Harbor all summer (and beginners are welcome to join any of those classes, too), but this class is especially geared to folks who are brand new to paddleboarding, yoga, or both!
Fit Maine checked it out! Yoga on the water: Paddleboard Yoga with Koan Wellness in York
Fort Kent 40K Trail Race photo
Fort Kent 40K trail race
July 14
Fort Kent Outdoor Center
$15
trailrunner.com/event/fort-kent-40k-trail-race/
The course consists of a 20K course that can be run once for a 20K finish, or twice to earn a 40K finisher’s “pat on the back.” This is a “fat-ass” race, so no medals or fancy stuff. Be ready for rolling XC trails, hills, unmaintained and wet trail sections, moose, hills, old stumps, blowdowns, single-track MTB trails, tall grass and wildflowers, an ascent (or two, or three) straight up a ski hill, winding snowshoe trails, and a course that takes you to the top of Lonesome Pine Trails ski hill three (or four) times.
Dance Mile
July 14
Downtown Portland
$34
FMI: thedancemile.com
No actual running during the Dance Mile – just busting moves! Dance your way along the one-mile course. Zumba and yoga warm-up, wellness expo, bedazzling station, and post-dance party!
Portland Kids Duathlon
July 15
CycleMania, Portland
$40
www.portlandkidsduathlon.com
Portland’s first duathlon race for kids gives young people ages 5-12 an opportunity to participate in the fast growing world of multi-sport. The run, bike, run format of a duathlon is fun and approachable for all.
City at Your Feet Scavenger Hunt
July 21
Portland Gear Hub, Portland
$12 kids, $20 adults
www.facebook.com
Portland Trails’ City at Your Feet is a cross-town scavenger hunt and people-powered trail adventure. Teams compete to crack as many clues as possible and gain points for finding unique locations along the trail network, all while traveling car-free throughout the city. Whether you walk, or bike, bus or pogo-stick, City at Your Feet will get you and your friends and family out the door and exploring all the incredible sights that Portland Trails has to offer.
Kilted Kanter
July 21
Belfast Waterfront
www.runbelfast.org
5K run begins at Belfast Area High School and covers a relatively flat course through the lovely, picturesque and proudly historic neighborhoods of Belfast. Wearing of a kilt is optional (but why wouldn’t you?)
Also: Sprint after a wheel of cheese during the New World Cheese Roll Championship on Sunday, also part of the Maine Celtic Celebration.
Springvale Farm Walk
July 22
Farms on Hanson Ridge and Deering Neighborhood Springvale
Free
www.facebook.com
Self-guided walk through fields, orchards, pasture and woods beginning at McDougal Orchards and ending at Blueberry Bend. The route connects to 10 farms and measures 4.5 miles from start to finish. Want to make a day of it? Walk the full 9 miles and support your local farms and trails. Bring a backpack and money to buy food at the farms.
Maine Lobster Ride
July 22
$40-$100 for adults, depending on choice of ride
Camden Snow Bowl, Camden
mainelobsterride.com
Ride winding, country lanes along the rockbound Maine coast, past lighthouses, lupines, and lobster boats. Choose your distance, from a family friendly 15-mile ride, 30-mile, 50-mile, 60-mile, 80-mile, and 103-mile. Lobster roll lunch at the finish line.
Nordic Trail Festival
July 27-28
Nordic Trail Festival, Presque Isle
$70-$220
nordictrailfestival.com
Tackle the trails for a full day of running or biking, or relax and take part in a variety of events. Enjoy live music, games, contests, food, racing and the awesome trails of the Nordic Heritage Center.
Tough Mountain Challenge
July 28
Sunday River, Newry.
$109
FMI: www.toughmountain.com
The Tough Mountain Challenge is “an adventure obstacle race that tackles alpine terrain and throws in natural and man-made challenges to mix things up.” Because why not add an actual mountain to your obstacle race, right? Registration includes “a free beer you can have before your heat, after your heat, or even during your heat at our mid-course beer station.”
Peaks to Portland Swim to Benefit Kids
July 28
Starting on Peaks Island
$125, with a commitment to raise (or donate) $200.
If you commit to raising $400, organizers will drop your registration fee!
ymcaofsouthernmaine.com
The annual Peaks to Portland Swim to Benefit Kids is an event most locals know about, but not all have had the pleasure of experiencing. It certainly sounds like an impressive and even daunting feat, swimming those 2.4 miles between Peaks Island and Portland’s East End Beach. The water is cold. You can’t see the bottom. And 2.4 miles ain’t nothing. But here’s a secret: Swimming the Peaks to Portland is so so doable. Even if you don’t at all consider yourself a highly experienced, super buoyant elite swimmer. You don’t need to be.
Need convincing? Allow me to help: 5 reasons to sign up for the Peaks to Portland right now and First-timer’s guide to the Peaks to Portland Swim to Benefit Kids
Wild Vibes Yoga Festival
July 28
Spring Hill, South Berwick
$15-$64
www.wildvibes.org
Enjoy a full day in nature with live music, inspiring yoga classes, workshops, art presentations, healing sanctuary, marketplace with local and international artisans and food vendors, kids corner, SUP yoga and paddleboarding, and more.
A portion of festival proceeds benefit Pursea Humanitarian Foundation and Yoga & Cancer Satya. Kids ages 12 & under free and NEW this year there’s a kids camp corner.
Adventures in Art: Lake Paddling, Hiking & Painting with Rachel Littlefield
August 1-3
$425
northstaradventures.me
Spend three days in the Rangeley Lakes Region of Western Maine. Known for remote islands, and 4000’ mountains, this is a perfect venue to challenge yourself physically, mentally and creatively with this event from North Star Adventures. From mountains to lakes, this adventure is sure to inspire and inform your creative self. With Rachel Littlefield’s guidance and instruction, you will learn techniques for creating beautiful works of art.
Skowhegan RiverFest
August 1-5
Kennebec River, Skowhegan
runofriver.org/river-fest
Run of River support paddle, glow stick river run, raft rides, bean bag tournament, plus live music, beer garden, duck derby, lobster bake and plenty of activities for the kids.
Paddle Battle
August 5
Nonantum Resort, Kennebunport
www.nonantumresort.com
Calling all kayakers, paddleboarders, and canoeists! The Paddle Battle returns to Nonantum Resort for a day of river races that recreational and competitive paddlers will enjoy. There’s also a family friendly BBQ, live music, and activities.
Adult Summer Camp Weekend
August 10-12
Tops’l Farm,
$499/person for a shared cabin
www.topslfarm.com/farmevents/adult-summer-camp
Spend your weekend throwing axes, foraging for cocktails, playing barn games & cruising the Maine coast during Adult Summer Camp at Tops’l Farm. $499/person for a shared cabin — includes breakfasts & dinners and accommodations. Some activities included – others are a la cart.
Be Well Rooftop Rejuvenation
August 12
Bayside Bowl, Portland
$28.45
www.facebook.com
Head up to the roof at Bayside Bowl for a one-hour flow with Be Well owner and instructor, Kat Cynewski. The morning will include pre-fitness complimentary massages and a braid bar, yoga with bumpin’ beats and a whole lotta energy plus some fun goodies from the sponsors. Bring your own mat.
Life Happens Outside Festival
August 18
L.L.Bean, Freeport
Free admission
www.lifehappensoutside.org
The 2nd Annual LIFE HAPPENS OUTSIDE FESTIVAL is a celebration of active and outdoor lifestyles in Maine communities. This free event for all ages and abilities promotes Teens To Trails efforts to provide programming, gear and opportunities to teens that gives them more access to outdoor opportunities. There will be paddling and kayaking, kid-friendly activities, music and food trucks, outdoors vendors, all-day interactive workshops and more.
Craft Brew Races
August 18
Payson Park, Portland
$55-$60 in advance, $70 on site for 5K and beer fest, $45-$50 in advance for festival only, $60 on site.
FMI: craftbrewraces.com/portland/
Gotta love these words: “relaxed 5K.” Walkers welcome at the Craft Brew Races, which will take participants on a course around Back Cove. More importantly, the race is followed by a beer festival in Payson Park, with upwards of 40 craft breweries present. Beer fest-only tickets are also available.
Farm to Fork Fondo
August 24-25
Starts and ends at Pineland Farms, New Gloucester
$39.99-$171.99
www.farmforkfondo.com/maine/
So much more than a bike ride, the Farm to Fork Fondo includes a course that tours past Maine’s local farms, with fresh local treats at stations along the way, and a post-ride barbecue. Ride options from 10 to 80 miles. Meet the Farmers Dinner, a brand spankin’ new Bianchi bike to give away, and expanded post-ride festival.
Maine Lighthouse Ride
September 8
Southern Maine Community College, South Portland
$75 for ETA members, $95 non-members
www.easterntrail.org
Choose your ride, from 25 to 100 miles, and see lighthouses all along the way (stops for lighthouse selfies are encouraged). There are rest stops along the way and lunch is included. This ride has sold out in recent years, so get on it!
Loon Echo Trek
September 15
Shawnee Peak, Bridgton
Adult $55/Junior $30 early bird, Adult $70/Junior $30 (Aug 15 to Sept 7), $100 day of event
www.loonecholandtrust.org
Two hiking options this year: A 6-mile route for recreational hikers that starts on the Southwest Ridge Trail. The route crosses Pleasant Mountain northbound passing three rest stops and finishing at the after event party at the ski area base lodge. Or a 8.4-mile Mountain Challenge, which starts at Shawnee Peak, proceeds up the ski area, across the ridge to the “Teepee” on the Southwest Ridge Trail, returning by the same route. Rest stops along the way and post-trek lunch and Allagash beer.
Trail to Ale 10K Race/Walk
September 16
Starts on the Eastern Prom, Portland
$35
trails.org
It’s an early fall tradition! The course starts on Portland’s Eastern Prom and loops around Back Cove. The run is scenic, you can run or walk it, and proceeds support Portland Trails. All good things. Also good: the finish-line beer, pizza, yoga, massages, healthy snacks, and DJ’d dance party.
Ragged Mountain Scuttle
September 23
Camden Snow Bowl, Camden
$60, prices go up as event gets closer
raggedmountainscuttle.com
This 5K loop on Ragged Mountain boasts 20 or so obstacles designed to challenge you – from the 4’ short wall and triple wall to net crawls and weighted pulls. There’s also that amazing view, so it’s a fine trade. There will be food, beer music, and a kids course at the base of the mountain.
