Best Things to Do in Sunday River, ME With Kids
Sunday River's eight interconnected peaks give it more spread-out beginner terrain than most New England resorts, so the family picks are the Perfect Turn/Camp Sunday River ski school, a dedicated snow tubing hill, the lift-served summer Bike Park, and two easy day-trips nearby: Artist's Covered Bridge and Grafton Notch State Park's waterfalls.
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1Area photo: Wikimedia CommonsSunday River Ski & Snowboard School
Eight interconnected peaks give Sunday River more beginner and intermediate terrain spread out than most New England resorts, and the ski school (branded Perfect Turn, with a separate Camp Sunday River kids' program) keeps young learners on dedicated slopes at the South Ridge base rather than mixing them into main traffic.
Watch out: New England conditions vary more than out West; icy patches are normal, not a sign of a bad resort. Dress in real layers, since wind chill on the exposed peaks is significant.
2Area photo: Wikimedia CommonsSunday River Snow Tubing
A dedicated tubing hill separate from the ski slopes, no ski experience or equipment needed, which makes it the easiest on-ramp activity for a family with very young kids or non-skiers along for the trip.
Watch out: Sessions are timed (usually sold in blocks), so don't expect unlimited all-day access. Fills up fast on school-vacation weeks, so book ahead.
3Area photo: Wikimedia CommonsSunday River Bike Park
Summer turns the mountain into lift-served mountain biking with graded trails, a real alternative to the crowded coastal-Maine beach-town summer routine if your family already likes the mountain.
Watch out: Not every summer weekend has full lift service, so check the current-season schedule before planning around it. Full pads and a helmet are standard gear here, not optional extras.
4Area photo: Wikimedia CommonsArtist's Covered Bridge
A genuine 1872 covered bridge over the Sunday River (the actual river, not just the resort) just outside Bethel, with a shallow swimming and wading spot right below it in summer. It's a five-minute stop that becomes an hour once kids find the water.
Watch out: No facilities on-site, so bring your own water shoes and towels. Water level and current vary by season; use judgment with younger kids.
5Area photo: Wikimedia CommonsGrafton Notch State Park
About 30 minutes from Sunday River, Grafton Notch has some of the most accessible real waterfalls in Maine. Screw Auger Falls is a short walk from the parking lot and includes rock potholes kids can wade and climb around in, not just a viewing platform.
Watch out: Rocks around the falls get slippery; water shoes help more than sneakers. Small parking lots fill on nice summer days.
Frequently asked
Is Sunday River good for beginner skiers?
Yes. Eight peaks give it more spread-out beginner and intermediate terrain than many New England resorts, and the South Ridge base area keeps lessons separated from faster traffic.
What can non-skiers do at Sunday River in winter?
Snow tubing is the main non-ski activity on the mountain itself; beyond that, most winter non-ski time here is spent in Bethel's small downtown or day-tripping to nearby covered bridges and state parks.
Is Sunday River worth visiting in summer?
Yes, especially if you pair it with Grafton Notch and Artist's Covered Bridge. The Bike Park adds a real activity for older kids, and lodging is meaningfully cheaper than ski season.
How far is Sunday River from the Maine coast?
Roughly two hours from Portland and the southern coast, this is a mountains trip, not a beach add-on. Plan it as its own destination rather than a day-trip from the coast.
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