• What is Maine known for?
    • Maine, also known as the Pine Tree State, is famous for its scenic coastal towns, rugged coastlines, and a prosperous fishing and maritime heritage.
  • What outdoor opportunities does Maine offer?
    • Maine is home to a wealth of state parks, recreational areas, and public lands that provide numerous recreational activities and outdoor pursuits.
  • What kind of natural beauty can visitors expect in Maine?
    • Visitors can enjoy scenic landscapes and breathtaking panoramic vistas throughout the state.

Best Time to Visit Maine State & National Parks

  • June to September – Peak season with warm temps, ideal for hiking and camping.
  • July & August – Best months for outdoor adventures, wildlife spotting, and water activities.
  • May & October – Shoulder season with mild weather and fewer crowds.
  • November to April – Off-season with snow, perfect for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.
  • Late September – Prime time for vibrant fall foliage and cooler hiking conditions.

This post may include affiliate links. Click here for Affiliate Disclosure.

1. Acadia National Park


Hike granite peaks and watch coastal sunrises on a breathtaking adventure.

Acadia National Park

© tiva48/stock.adobe.com

  • What is Acadia National Park?
    • Acadia National Park is a 47,000-acre recreation area on Maine's Mount Desert Island along the Atlantic coast.
  • Where is Acadia National Park located?
    • Located southwest of Bar Harbor, the park was established to preserve half of Mount Desert Island, along with many adjacent smaller islands, and part of the Schoodic Peninsula on the coast of Maine.
  • How large is Acadia National Park?
    • The 49,075-acre park (video) features pristine landscapes ranging from rocky beaches and dense woodlands to grand granite peaks, the highest point on the United States’ East Coast.
  • What wildlife can be found in Acadia National Park?
    • Acadia is home to a wide variety of wildlife such as bears, moose, whales, and seabirds.
  • What activities can visitors do in Acadia National Park?
    • The bayside town of Bar Harbor features many restaurants and shops and is a popular gateway into the park. Recreational activities include hiking, bicycling, horseback riding, rock climbing, kayaking and canoeing, swimming, sea kayaking, and guided boat tours on the ocean.

Bar Harbor, ME 04609, Phone: 207-288-3338, Map

2. Androscoggin Riverlands


Paddle the river and bike forest trails on a peaceful weekend escape.

Androscoggin Riverlands

© Wollwerth Imagery/stock.adobe.com

  • What is Androscoggin Riverlands?
    • The Androscoggin Riverlands is a recreation area along the Androscoggin River, featuring 15 miles of multiple-use trails for hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing.
  • How large is Androscoggin Riverlands?
    • The area is comprised of two sections: a 1,909-acre tract in Turner and a 336-acre parcel in Leeds.
  • What is special about the Homestead Trail?
    • The famous Homestead Trail is lined with the foundations of numerous houses dating back to the late 1800s, which were razed due to the rising waters of the Gulf Island Dam.
  • Where can I find more information about Androscoggin Riverlands?
    • The Androscoggin Land Trust provides informative brochures with historical and ecological details about the surrounding landscapes.

Center Bridge Rd, Turner, ME 04282, Phone: 207-998-4104, Map

3. Aroostook State Park


Camp near the lake and explore wooded hills on a quiet family trip.

Aroostook State Park

© Evdoha/stock.adobe.com

  • What is Aroostook State Park?
    • Aroostook State Park is a state park and public recreation area located within the city limits of Presque Isle in Aroostook County.
  • What are the key features of Aroostook State Park?
    • The 898-acre park lies next to Echo Lake and includes the twin peaks of Quaggy Jo Mountain, offering a variety of outdoor recreational activities.
  • What recreational activities are available?
    • Visitors can enjoy boating, swimming, fishing, canoeing, paddle-boating, hiking, and picnicking.
  • Does Aroostook State Park have camping facilities?
    • Yes, the park features a campground with 30 wooded sites for tent camping and RVs. Amenities include bathroom facilities, a kitchen pavilion, and a small playground for children.
  • What hiking opportunities are available?
    • The park has three miles of hiking trails leading to lookout points high on Quaggy Jo Mountain.
  • What is the Double Eagle II Memorial Park?
    • The park is home to the Double Eagle II Memorial Park, the launch site of the first successful trans-Atlantic balloon flight in August 1978, which traveled from the United States to Miserey, France.
  • What additional facilities does the park offer?
    • The year-round outdoor Nordic Heritage Center features restrooms, showers, and a sauna, along with 20 miles of single-track mountain biking trails.

87 State Park Rd, Presque Isle, ME 04769, Phone: 207-768-8341, Map

4. Bigelow Preserve Public Land


Climb rugged mountains and backpack scenic trails on an exciting trek.

Bigelow Preserve Public Land

© Lora Hilton Photos/stock.adobe.com

  • What is Bigelow Mountain Preserve?
    • Bigelow Mountain Preserve is a 36,000-acre state-owned nature preserve in Stratton, Maine, established in 1976 to prevent the development of a ski resort in the area.
  • Where is Bigelow Mountain Preserve located?
    • The preserve is located about 40 miles north of Farmington, just east of the village of Stratton.
  • What does Bigelow Mountain Preserve encompass?
    • The preserve includes the entire Bigelow Range, which features seven summits. The highest peak, West Peak, rises to 4,150 feet.
  • What recreational activities are available?
    • Visitors can enjoy a variety of activities, including pleasure boating, fishing, kayaking, swimming, hiking, mountain biking, camping, and wildlife watching.
  • What is Flagstaff Lake?
    • The preserve is bounded on the north by 20,000-acre Flagstaff Lake, offering various water-based recreational opportunities.
  • How is Bigelow Mountain Preserve connected to the Northern Forest Canoe Trail?
    • Flagstaff Lake is part of the historic 740-mile Northern Forest Canoe Trail, which winds through New York, Vermont, Quebec, New Hampshire, and Maine.

Bigelow Preserve Public Land, W Flagstaff Rd, Stratton, ME 04982, Phone: 207-287-3200

5. Bradbury Mountain State Park


Hike to scenic overlooks and enjoy fall colors on a fun day trip.

Bradbury Mountain State Park

© weedezign/stock.adobe.com

  • What is Bradbury Mountain State Park?
  • Where is Bradbury Mountain State Park located?
    • The park is located near the town of Pownal in Cumberland County, Maine.
  • When was Bradbury Mountain State Park established?
    • The park was established in the 1940s as one of Maine's original five state parks.
  • What can visitors see at Bradbury Mountain State Park?
    • The park offers panoramic views over the surrounding landscapes from the top of Bradbury Mountain.
  • What activities are available at the park?
    • Visitors can enjoy several multi-use trails for hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking, and snowmobiling during the winter months.

Bradbury Mountain State Park, 528 Hallowell Road, Pownal, ME 04069, Phone: 207-688-4712

6. Camden Hills State Park


Drive to ocean views and hike summit trails on a romantic outing.

Camden Hills State Park

© Natalia Bratslavsky/stock.adobe.com

  • What is Camden Hills State Park?
    • Camden Hills State Park is a 5,710-acre state park and public recreation area managed by the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry, offering a variety of outdoor activities.
  • Where is Camden Hills State Park located?
    • The park overlooks Penobscot Bay just outside the town of Camden in Knox County, Maine.
  • What are some of the notable scenic spots in the park?
    • Camden Hills State Park features multi-use trails leading to scenic locations such as the 800-foot-high Mount Battie and the 1,385-foot-high Mount Megunticook.
  • What activities are available during different seasons?
    • In the summer, visitors can enjoy hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding. During the winter, activities include snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing.
  • What is the Maiden Cliff Trail?
    • The mile-long Maiden Cliff Trail leads to the historic 12-year-old Elenora French monument, marking the site of a tragic misadventure in 1864 that gave the cliff its name.
  • What other activities does Camden Hills State Park offer?
    • Visitors can enjoy camping, picnicking, and seasonal hunting with a permit.

Camden Hills State Park, 280 Belfast Rd, Camden, ME 04843, Phone: 207-236-3109

7. Cobscook Bay State Park


Camp by tidal coves and spot wildlife on an unusual coastal retreat.

Cobscook Bay State Park

© Kristina/stock.adobe.com

  • What is Cobscook Bay State Park?
    • Cobscook Bay State Park is a public recreation area occupying 888 acres on the western shore of Cobscook Bay in Washington County, Maine.
  • What makes Cobscook Bay State Park unique?
    • The park offers spectacular views of Cobscook Bay’s tides, which can reach heights of up to 28 feet, creating a dramatic and ever-changing coastal landscape.
  • When was Cobscook Bay State Park established?
    • The park was established in 1964 as part of the Moosehorn National Wildlife Refuge.
  • What recreational activities are available?
    • Visitors can enjoy hiking, mountain biking, pleasure boating, fishing, swimming, picnicking, camping, and bird watching.
  • What wildlife can be found in the park?
    • Cobscook Bay State Park is home to over 200 species of birds, including the magnificent American bald eagle.

Cobscook Bay State Park, 40 S Edmunds Rd, Dennysville, ME 04628, Phone: 207-726-4412

8. Crescent Beach State Park


Swim, picnic, and walk sandy shores on a relaxing summer day.

Crescent Beach State Park

© ksl/stock.adobe.com

  • What is Crescent Beach State Park?
    • Crescent Beach State Park is a state-operated, public recreation area located eight miles south of Portland in Cape Elizabeth, Maine.
  • When was Crescent Beach State Park established?
    • The park was established in 1966 and has since been a popular destination for outdoor recreation.
  • What makes Crescent Beach State Park unique?
    • The park features a spectacular mile-long, crescent-shaped beach overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, making it ideal for swimming, sunbathing, fishing, and sea kayaking.
  • What eco-systems can be found in the park?
    • Crescent Beach State Park boasts a variety of landscapes, including white sandy beaches, grass-studded dunes, saltwater coves, rocky ledges, and wooded areas.
  • What recreational activities are available?
    • Visitors can enjoy hiking, exploring the park’s trails on foot, mountain bike, or cross-country skis during the winter months.

Crescent Beach State Park, 109 Bowery Beach Rd, Cape Elizabeth, ME 04107, Phone: 207-799-5871

9. Dead River Public Land


Canoe remote waters and hike quiet forests on an adventurous trip.

Dead River Public Land

© shpak/stock.adobe.com

  • What is Dead River Public Land?
    • Dead River Public Land surrounds the Dead River Township on the northern shore of Flagstaff Lake in Somerset County, Maine.
  • What makes Dead River Public Land unique?
    • The area is a beautiful tract of wilderness and is home to a favorite camping spot below Long Falls Dam called The Big Eddy.
  • What water-based activities are available?
    • Visitors can enjoy fishing, pleasure boating, kayaking, canoeing, and bird-watching.
  • What types of trails are available?
    • The area offers hiking and mountain biking trails around the lake’s shoreline, as well as equestrian and cross-country skiing trails.
  • How is Dead River Public Land connected to the Northern Forest Canoe Trail?
    • The lands are part of the historic Northern Forest Canoe Trail, which spans 740 miles across multiple states and Canada.
  • What other recreational activities can visitors enjoy?
    • Additional activities include ATV riding, canoeing, off-road biking, snowmobiling, snowshoeing, and wildlife watching.

Farmington, Maine 04938, Phone: 207-778-8231

10. Deboullie Public Lands


Fish clear lakes and explore backcountry trails on a peaceful getaway.

Deboullie Public Lands

© Michele Ursi/stock.adobe.com

  • What are Deboullie Public Lands?
    • Deboullie Public Lands are located in a remote section of the North Maine Woods and provide excellent opportunities for hiking, fishing, camping, hunting, and wildlife watching.
  • How large is Deboullie Public Lands?
    • The lands span 21,871 acres and include 17 crystal-clear trout ponds surrounded by low, rugged mountains.
  • What fishing opportunities are available?
    • The trout ponds range in size from 8 to 341 acres, providing ideal conditions for fishing.
  • What hiking trails are available?
    • A 12-mile trail network with multiple loop options leads to remote ponds and up Deboullie Mountain, which stands at 1,981 feet and offers expansive views of the region.
  • What other activities can visitors enjoy?
    • Additional activities include backcountry hiking and pond-side camping in the stunning landscape east of the Allagash Region.

Eagle Lake, ME 04739, Phone: 207-435-7963

Map:


Plan Your Trip


Table of Contents: