Overview
River Valley is a region of Maine that encompasses the counties of Kennebec and Somerset.
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: May–Sep. Summer highs reach about 79°F; winter lows dip to about 15°F. Cold months (Jan, Feb, Dec) can bring snow and ice; check road conditions. Wettest: Oct and Nov. (climate data from nearby Acadia National Park)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- BGR Bangor International Airport, Bangor — 58 mi away. Directions
- AUG Augusta State Airport, Augusta — 68 mi away. Directions
- PWM Portland International Jetport, Portland — 118 mi away (major hub). Directions
Sample 3-day trip
- Day 1: Waterville — Colby College Campus, Colby College Museum of Art, Perkins Arboretum and Bird Sanctuary.
- Day 2: Skowhegan — Skowhegan History House, Eaton Mountain, Skowhegan School of Painting & Sculpture.
- Day 3: Augusta — State Capitol Building, Maine State Museum, Old Fort Western.
Built from the best-covered destinations in this region; open each for its own day plan.
Places in Kennebec and Moose River Valleys
Waterville
City / town · 23 listings
Skowhegan
City / town · 17 listings
Augusta
City / town · 16 listings
Jackman
City / town · 11 listings
The Forks
City / town · 6 listings
Hallowell
City / town · 4 listings
Winslow
City / town · 4 listings
Fairfield
City / town · 3 listings
West Forks
City / town · 2 listings
Belgrade
City / town · 1 listings
China
City / town · 1 listings
Monmouth
City / town · 1 listings
Wayne
City / town · 1 listings
Bingham
City / town · 1 listings
Gardiner
City / town
Understand
The area is heavily forested with large tracts of land owned by timber companies and private landowners.
Other destinations
- Jackman-Moose River valley
See
- Fall foliage: The area's leaves start turning in September, and usually peak around the end of the month, or the beginning of October. US Route 201 from Solon to Jackman is one of the most scenic routes in the state, and has been featured in places like Yankee magazine. Route 15 is also impressive, especially around Rockwood/Greenville, where Moosehead Lake and Mt. Kineo make for some astounding vistas.
Do
Outdoor activities rule here.
- Fishing
- Hunting
- Hiking
- Snowmobiling
- Canoeing and river rafting
- Animal and bird watching
Stay safe
Be aware when driving that collisions with moose are frequent in this area.
Cities and towns
- Augusta
- Belgrade
- Bingham
- China
- Fairfield
- The Forks
- Gardiner
- Hallowell
- Jackman - An outpost of civilization - the "Switzerland of Maine"
- Litchfield
- Madison
- Monmouth
- Oakland
- Skowhegan
- Vassalboro
- Waterville
- Wayne
- West Forks
- Winslow
Nearby
Monson
City / town · 10 listings · 13 mi away
Greenville
City / town · 26 listings · 14 mi away
Dover-Foxcroft
City / town · 10 listings · 28 mi away
Dexter
City / town · 5 listings · 31 mi away
Kingfield and Carrabassett Valley
City / town · 9 listings · 31 mi away
Newport
City / town · 6 listings · 41 mi away
Farmington
City / town · 33 listings · 48 mi away
Rangeley
City / town · 15 listings · 49 mi away
My experience
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