Some say that the holidays in December are the most wonderful time of the year, but we’d argue that it’s actually August! That’s when Maine’s state park passes for the upcoming season become available for purchase. That means knowing that you’re ready for all the outdoor exploring you can possibly do, all throughout the state. Once you’ve got yours, the next step is making your plans and these are the parks that are high on our list. You can purchase your state park passes here as either an individual or for a vehicle.
- Two Lights State Park, Cape Elizabeth
TLHGator / TripAdvisor There are no actual lighthouses within the state park, but that doesn’t make it any less beautiful. This is a great place to visit if you’re looking for a way to appreciate the rocky coast of Maine without getting too far off the beaten path. With just 41 acres, you can easily explore the entire place in a day which also makes it great for a last-minute trip. You can learn more about it by reading this article.
- Peaks-Kenny State Park, Dover-Foxcroft
renedrivers / Flickr Located on Sebec Lake, this park is beautiful year-round. But we absolutely love it in the fall! It has a great campground and visitors love the privacy offered by the 56 sites that are separated by plenty of woods.
- Aroostook State Park, Presque Isle
jillllybean / Flickr Tucked away up in The County, this state park was the very first in the state! It offers access to Maine’s North Woods which is considered one of the most remote spots in the northeast. You’ll find 800 acres to explore, complete with lakes, streams, and lots of places to hike. You can learn more about it here.
- Mackworth Island State Park, Falmouth
KatieDobies via iStock / Getty Images Plus While not an actual island (you can visit by driving down a small road connected to the mainland) this beautiful spot is almost entirely surrounded by water. Take the three-mile walking trail the circles the entire park for some of the best Casco Bay views you can find. You can learn more here.
- Baxter State Park, Millinocket
Baxter State Park / Facebook Made up of more than 2,000 acres of land, Baxter might be the state’s most well-known park. In addition to stunning beauty with mountains that rival those out west, the trails here are some of the most challenging in the state. That’s not surprising when you remember that this park is home to Mt. Katahdin, which at 5,267 feet, is the tallest in the state! You can learn more about the park here.
- Fort Knox State Park, Prospect
aaron / Google History lovers will love this state park! It’s home to the state’s largest historic fort, complete with military architecture. The for was built between 1844 and 1864 and despite never being completed, it’s considered a great example of a large mid-19th century granite coastal fortification. Click here to learn more about visiting.
- Sebago Lake State Park, Casco
Slavica V / TripAdvisor One of the best summer destinations in Maine is also one of the most beautiful the rest of the year. Spend your time swimming and boating when the weather is warm and then enjoy all of the hiking trails the rest of the year. But be sure to arrive early! This beauty is well-known and heavily visited. Learn more here.
- Rangeley Lake State Park, Rangeley
pasfam / Flickr With views of the western mountains and tons of access to Rangeley Lake, this beautiful park is not to be missed. In the summer it’s great for swimming, boating and fishing and in the winter you won’t find better snowmobiling or snowshoeing! You can learn more here.
Purchase your state park pass by visiting the Maine.gov website. Passes $55 for an individual entry or $105 for a vehicle’s entry. Maine state residents who are 65 years or older are admitted free with proof of age. If you’re a Maine resident 65 years or older you can also purchase the Annual Vehicle Senior Pass for $45.
TLHGator / TripAdvisor
There are no actual lighthouses within the state park, but that doesn’t make it any less beautiful. This is a great place to visit if you’re looking for a way to appreciate the rocky coast of Maine without getting too far off the beaten path. With just 41 acres, you can easily explore the entire place in a day which also makes it great for a last-minute trip. You can learn more about it by reading this article.
renedrivers / Flickr
Located on Sebec Lake, this park is beautiful year-round. But we absolutely love it in the fall! It has a great campground and visitors love the privacy offered by the 56 sites that are separated by plenty of woods.
jillllybean / Flickr
Tucked away up in The County, this state park was the very first in the state! It offers access to Maine’s North Woods which is considered one of the most remote spots in the northeast. You’ll find 800 acres to explore, complete with lakes, streams, and lots of places to hike. You can learn more about it here.
KatieDobies via iStock / Getty Images Plus
While not an actual island (you can visit by driving down a small road connected to the mainland) this beautiful spot is almost entirely surrounded by water. Take the three-mile walking trail the circles the entire park for some of the best Casco Bay views you can find. You can learn more here.
Baxter State Park / Facebook
Made up of more than 2,000 acres of land, Baxter might be the state’s most well-known park. In addition to stunning beauty with mountains that rival those out west, the trails here are some of the most challenging in the state. That’s not surprising when you remember that this park is home to Mt. Katahdin, which at 5,267 feet, is the tallest in the state! You can learn more about the park here.
aaron / Google
History lovers will love this state park! It’s home to the state’s largest historic fort, complete with military architecture. The for was built between 1844 and 1864 and despite never being completed, it’s considered a great example of a large mid-19th century granite coastal fortification. Click here to learn more about visiting.
Slavica V / TripAdvisor
One of the best summer destinations in Maine is also one of the most beautiful the rest of the year. Spend your time swimming and boating when the weather is warm and then enjoy all of the hiking trails the rest of the year. But be sure to arrive early! This beauty is well-known and heavily visited. Learn more here.
pasfam / Flickr
With views of the western mountains and tons of access to Rangeley Lake, this beautiful park is not to be missed. In the summer it’s great for swimming, boating and fishing and in the winter you won’t find better snowmobiling or snowshoeing! You can learn more here.
As you make plans to explore the state, don’t forget to see the lesser-known spots. Most people don’t know these 11 hidden gems in Maine even exist!
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Address: Two Lights State Park, 7 Tower Dr, Cape Elizabeth, ME 04107, USAAddress: Peaks-Kenny State Park, 401 State Park Rd, Dover-Foxcroft, ME 04426, USAAddress: Aroostook State Park, 87 State Park Rd, Presque Isle, ME 04769, USAAddress: Mackworth Island State Park, Andrews Avenue off, US-1, Falmouth, ME 04105, USAAddress: Baxter State Park, Millinocket, ME 04462, USAAddress: Fort Knox and Penobscot Narrows Observatory, 740 Ft Knox Rd, Prospect, ME 04981, USAAddress: Sebago Lake State Park Campground, 11 Park Access Rd, Casco, ME 04015, USAAddress: Rangeley Lake State Park, 1 State Park Rd, Rangeley, ME 04970, USA
