With the cold weather setting in and the limited hours of daylight, it’s easy to feel sluggish and unmotivated during Maine winters. The good news is that there is still plenty to do outside even in the darker, cooler months of the year. The more you stay active in the winter, the easier it is to stay motivated. Soak up some Vitamin D this season with these five ideas for outdoor adventures to get through the cold Maine winters and increase your step count.

1.) Ice Fishing

Ice fishing is a fun and engaging activity for the whole family. Nothing quite compares to eating an early breakfast on a frozen lake eagerly anticipating a flag. Experience the rush of adrenaline when you race out to your traps and see that giant mouthed fish emerge from the cold waters below. With the warmer temperatures this winter, make sure to check the thickness of the ice with an auger or chisel. 

If you need new gear, check out Jacks Traps at 151 Ridge Rd in Monmouth. Support a local small business and get custom fishing traps made in Maine for a lifetime of exciting seasons on the ice. Jacks Traps is a great one stop shop for all your fishing needs. They have everything from augers to bait ready to get you out on the ice. If you’re looking to add a bit of competition to your adventure, look into one of Maine’s ice fishing Derby’s. 

Don’t forget to get your fishing license this season. It’s very easy to purchase or renew your fishing license with Moses EZ renew. 

2.) Birding

Birding is an easy and inexpensive activity. All you need are some binoculars or a camera to take on an outdoor stroll. Meet your step goal and experience something new. If you listen for them, you’ll hear them all around you. Maine has an amazing variety of winter birds. You might be surprised how many different species are right outside your door. You can join the Maine Bird Atlas and track the different birds you see to help with Maine wildlife conservation. You don’t have to travel far to find them. A walk to your local waterfront or park will be sufficient. However, if you are looking for a special location, Beech Hill Preserve in Rockport is full of birds first thing in the morning and has a gorgeous 360 view of mountains and the coast. Download the Cornell Lab Merlin Bird ID to identify surrounding birds by sound and by photo. It is truly amazing to discover the array of birds around you. Before you know it, you will be able to recognize bird calls and identify them without the app.

3.) Gardens Aglow

It may be too cold for plants to grow outside, but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the gardens. From November to December the Botanical Gardens in Boothbay set up a beautiful light display across their vast gardens. This dazzling display gives you a reason to look forward to sunset. Tickets will go fast, especially as the end of the year approaches so make sure to pick a date and purchase your tickets ahead of time to enjoy this beautiful outdoor activity. It’s a great way to get exercise in the winter while enjoying the outdoors. With 750,000 lights across 66 miles of garden, you will find a wide range of colorful animal sculptures among the glowing trees.

4.) Snowmobiling

Experience the speed of adventure on Maine snowmobiling trails through the wilderness this winter. The scenic trails bring you closer to nature and wildlife. You might see any number of Maine’s iconic animals including moose and deer.  Plan your route for the day and make sure to stop for lunch at one of Maine’s delicious restaurants. Every trail is different, but Lakeview Restaurant in St Agatha has a massive menu of delicious items, including poutine.

If you don’t have your own, you can rent snowmobiles in Maine. Mike & Sons at 545 Caribou Rd in Fort Kent is a family owned Maine business offering snowmobile rentals for your outdoor adventures through the snow.

5.) Snowshoeing

Another inexpensive outdoor winter activity that allows you to enjoy the Maine landscape is snowshoeing. If you’re looking for ways to get moving in the winter, snowshoeing is an excellent combination of outdoor adventure and increased winter activity. It’s a fun way to get a decent workout in the winter because it burns more calories than walking. If you’re searching for where to buy snowshoes, you can find modern aluminum framed snowshoes at Cabela’s or LL Bean. If you’re looking to find more traditional wooden snowshoes for sale, they are still made at local small businesses in Maine. You can find ash-framed snowshoes at Theriault’s Snowshoes in Fort Kent and Maine Guide Snow Shoes in Bingham. Once you have your snowshoes, it’s time to find a trail. The Aroostook State Park in Presque Isle has a variety of trails with gorgeous scenic views. The trails range from beginner to intermediate and cover distances from .20 to 3 miles. Pick the trail that works best for you!

With the windchill at -45 degrees this past weekend, some days it’s better to stay inside. Fortunately, these frigid temperatures only lasted for two days so you can start safely planning your outdoor winter activities today. Let us know in the comments what you like to do in the winter!