Explore Sunday River and Western Maine
Your Local Guide to Sunday River, Bethel & the Mountains of Western Maine
Planning a trip to Sunday River or Western Maine? You’re in the right place. From ski weekends and fall foliage trips to summer hiking, family vacations, dining, events, and choosing the best town to stay in, our local guides are designed to help you plan your trip with confidence.
Visit Sunday River Vacation Rentals is based right here in the Bethel and Sunday River area, so these guides are built around the questions travelers actually ask when planning a Western Maine getaway. Whether this is your first visit or your tenth, start below.
Start Planning Your Sunday River Vacation
Where Should You Stay?
Choosing the right location can make a big difference—especially if you’re visiting to ski.
Sunday River is located in Newry, Maine, while nearby Bethel serves as the area's primary village for restaurants, shops, groceries, and services. Surrounding towns can also be excellent places to stay depending on the season and what you plan to do.
One important distinction: Newry covers a surprisingly large geographic area. Properties in southern Newry near Sunday River Road can be only minutes from the resort, while homes in northern Newry may be considerably farther away. If being close to Sunday River is your priority, don't assume that every Newry address is equally convenient.
Explore our lodging guides:
→ Where to Stay When Visiting Sunday River
Compare Sunday River Road, Bethel, Newry, slopeside areas, and surrounding towns.
→ Where to Stay Near Sunday River for a Ski Trip
Find the locations that make the most sense when getting to the mountain quickly is your priority.
→ Where to Stay Near Sunday River in Summer
Discover nearby towns and properties that put you close to hiking, swimming, golf, mountain biking, and other warm-weather adventures.
→ Vacation Rentals Near Mt. Abram
Planning to ski or bike at Mt. Abram? Explore homes that provide convenient access to both Mt. Abram and the greater Bethel area.
Explore by Season
Western Maine changes dramatically throughout the year—and that's part of what makes this region special.
Winter at Sunday River
Winter is peak season in the mountains, with skiing and snowboarding at Sunday River at the center of many trips. Sunday River generally operates its ski season from November into April, depending on conditions. But there is much more to a winter getaway than the lifts.
Plan your trip with our local winter guides:
→ Where to Rent Skis Near Sunday River & Bethel
Compare ski rental shops, slopeside rentals, delivery options, and what works best for families.
→ Things to Do Near Sunday River Besides Skiing
Snowshoeing, Nordic skiing, indoor activities, dining, and more.
→ Where to Eat Near Sunday River
→ Things to Do in Bethel in Winter
→ First-Time Visitor's Guide to Sunday River
→ Where to Stay Near Sunday River for Skiing
[Explore Winter Vacation Rentals]
Spring in Western Maine
Spring is one of the area's quietest seasons. As ski season winds down, Western Maine shifts into a slower pace with fewer crowds, lower lodging demand, waterfalls fueled by snowmelt, and the beginning of hiking and outdoor recreation.
It's also a great time for travelers who don't need a packed itinerary.
Explore spring guides:
→ Things to Do in Bethel & Sunday River in Spring
→ Best Waterfalls Near Bethel, Maine
→ Spring Hiking in Western Maine
→ Visiting Sunday River During Mud Season: What to Know
[Find a Spring Getaway]
Summer in Bethel and Western Maine
Summer turns the Sunday River area into a completely different destination. Hiking, golf, scenic lift rides, swimming, mountain biking, paddling, fishing, waterfalls, and day trips throughout Western Maine make it easy to spend a full week here without stepping onto a ski trail.
Sunday River itself offers warm-weather activities including golf, scenic lift rides and events, while nearby attractions stretch throughout Bethel and the surrounding mountains.
Explore summer guides:
→ Things to Do in Bethel & Sunday River in Summer
→ Best Swimming Holes & Beaches Near Bethel
→ Best Hikes Near Sunday River & Bethel
→ Family-Friendly Things to Do in Western Maine
→ Mountain Biking Near Bethel & Sunday River
→ Best Day Trips From Bethel, Maine
→ Where to Stay Near Sunday River in Summer
[Explore Summer Vacation Rentals]
Fall in Bethel & Sunday River
Fall may be Western Maine's most spectacular season. Mountainsides turn red, orange, and gold while cooler temperatures make hiking, scenic drives, festivals, and outdoor exploring especially enjoyable.
Sunday River also hosts fall activities and events, including scenic lift rides and its annual fall event schedule.
Explore our fall guides:
→ Things to Do in Bethel & Sunday River, Maine in the Fall
Your complete guide to foliage, hikes, scenic drives, dining, activities, and seasonal events.
→ When Is Peak Fall Foliage Near Sunday River?
→ Best Scenic Drives Near Bethel, Maine
→ Best Fall Hikes Near Sunday River
→ Fall Events Near Bethel & Sunday River
→ Where to Stay for a Fall Foliage Trip
[Plan a Fall Getaway]
Things to Do Around Sunday River & Bethel
Not sure which season to start with? Explore by interest instead.
Hiking & Outdoor Adventures
Western Maine sits among some of the most beautiful mountain terrain in the state.
Explore trails ranging from short family-friendly walks to challenging mountain hikes throughout the Mahoosuc region and nearby Grafton Notch.
Popular guides:
→ Best Hikes Near Sunday River & Bethel
→ Grafton Notch State Park Visitor Guide
→ Step Falls Visitor Guide
→ Family-Friendly Hikes Near Bethel
→ Best Waterfalls Near Bethel
Restaurants & Local Food
Bethel and the Sunday River area have everything from casual après-ski favorites to date-night restaurants, cafés, breweries, pizza, and takeout.
Start here:
→ Where to Eat in Bethel, Maine
→ Best Restaurants Near Sunday River
→ Best Breakfast & Coffee in Bethel
→ Après-Ski Near Sunday River
→ Family-Friendly Restaurants Near Bethel
→ Where to Get Takeout Near Sunday River
Family Adventures
Visiting with kids? Western Maine has plenty to do beyond skiing.
Explore:
→ Things to Do With Kids Near Sunday River
→ Rainy-Day Activities in Bethel
→ Best Family-Friendly Hikes
→ Summer Activities for Families
→ Things to Do Besides Skiing
→ Family-Friendly Restaurants
Visiting With Your Dog
Western Maine is especially fun to explore with four-legged family members. Our vacation rental collection includes numerous dog-friendly homes, and there are trails, outdoor spaces, patios, and adventures throughout the area that work well for dogs.
Explore:
→ Dog-Friendly Things to Do Near Bethel
→ Dog-Friendly Hiking Near Sunday River
→ Dog-Friendly Restaurants & Patios
→ Dog-Friendly Vacation Rentals Near Sunday River
[Explore Pet-Friendly Homes]
Explore Western Maine
Sunday River may bring you here, but it doesn't have to be the only place you explore. Bethel makes an excellent base for discovering the mountains, lakes, small towns, hiking areas, and scenic drives throughout Western Maine and neighboring New Hampshire.
Bethel, Maine
Bethel is the area's primary village and a convenient base for restaurants, shops, groceries, and year-round activities.
→ Explore Bethel
Newry, Maine
Newry is home to Sunday River Resort, but the town extends much farther north than many first-time visitors realize.
→ Where to Stay in Newry
→ Sunday River Road Area Guide
Greenwood & Mt. Abram
Greenwood is home to Mt. Abram and can be an excellent choice for travelers interested in skiing, mountain biking, lakes, and exploring western Maine beyond Sunday River.
→ Explore the Mt. Abram Area
Grafton Notch
One of the area's most popular outdoor destinations, Grafton Notch is known for mountain scenery, waterfalls, hiking, and access to sections of the Appalachian Trail.
→ Grafton Notch Visitor Guide
Nearby New Hampshire
The White Mountains are also within reach, opening up even more hiking, sightseeing, attractions, and day-trip opportunities.
→ Best Day Trips From Bethel
Essential Sunday River Trip Planning Guides
Already know what you want to do? These guides answer some of the most common questions we hear from visitors.
Where should I stay when visiting Sunday River?
→ Compare the best towns and areas for your trip.
How far is Bethel from Sunday River?
→ Understand what staying in Bethel is actually like.
Do I need a car when visiting Sunday River?
→ Learn what transportation looks like around the area.
What is there to do in Bethel at night?
→ Find après-ski, restaurants, entertainment, & evening activities.
What should I do on a rainy day in Bethel?
→ Keep your trip going when the weather doesn't cooperate.
Can I bring my dog to Sunday River?
→ Find pet-friendly activities and places to stay.
When is the best time to see fall foliage?
→ Plan a Western Maine leaf-peeping trip.
What should families do near Sunday River?
→ Explore kid-friendly activities year-round.
Where can I rent skis near Sunday River?
→ Compare your local rental options.
What can you do at Sunday River if you don't ski?
→ Discover activities on and off the mountain.
Find the Right Vacation Rental for Your Trip
Where you stay is part of the Sunday River experience. Visit Sunday River Vacation Rentals offers a collection of professionally managed vacation homes throughout the Sunday River and Bethel area, including homes with:
Hot tubs · Mountain views · Game rooms · Pet-friendly options · Large-group accommodations · Family-friendly layouts · Homes close to Sunday River
Because our team is local, we can also help you choose a home based on what you actually want to do—not simply which town appears in the mailing address.
[Find Pet-Friendly Homes]
[Find Homes Near Sunday River]
Local Knowledge Makes Planning Easier
There is a lot of generic information about visiting Maine online. These guides are different.
Our team lives and works in the Sunday River and Bethel area, and we manage vacation homes throughout the region. We use that local knowledge to answer the practical questions travelers have before they arrive—from which part of Newry to stay in to where to rent skis, which hiking trails work for families, and where to grab dinner after a day on the mountain. Use this page as your starting point, then dive into the individual guides that match your trip.
[Explore Vacation Rentals]
[Things to Do]
[Where to Eat]
[Plan Your Trip]