This national park is simply put, an amazing experience. The oldest national park on the east coast, visitors will enjoy a variety of wonders including the unusual geological formations, nature and wildlife, scheduled events, scenic drives, hiking, biking and boat cruises. Don't forget to look for the puffins, North America's answer to the penguin. Fishing sites abound, with approximately 20 lakes and ponds to choose from. Public camping is available at two locations, and there are fees for camping and for entering the park.

Cobscook Bay State Park
Route 1
Dennysville, ME 04628
Phone: 207-726-4412

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This park offers visitors a bevy of activities: canoeing, fishing, a scenic drive, hiking trails, picnic areas, and cross-country and snowmobile trails in the winter. There is a public campsite available. Open May 15-Oct. 15.

Cobscook Reversing Falls Park
Pembroke, ME

A remarkable natural phenomenon: The strong tidal surges actually make these waterfalls seem like they're falling backwards at certain times of the day.

Holbrook Island Sanctuary
Cape Rosier
Brooksville, ME 04617
Phone: 207-326-4012

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Pebbly beach on Smith Cove of Penobscot Bay, no lifeguard, launch for canoes and kayaks, open pit toilets, picnic area, walking trails, parking. No admission or parking fees.

Lamoine State Park
Lamoine, ME
Phone: 207-667-4778

This park offers both fishing and picnic areas. A public campground is available.

Moosehorn National Wildlife Refuge
Charlotte Road
Calais, ME 04619
Phone: 207-454-7161

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This nature preserve offers trails and roads for wildlife observation. In the wintertime, the unplowed roads become cross-country ski trails. Fishing and deer hunting are permitted.

Quoddy Head State Park
Lubec, ME
Phone: 207-733-0911

Visitors to this park will enjoy hiking trails, splendid views (with possibilities for whale watching), and picnic areas. The eastern most point of land and lighthouse in the United States are adjacent to the park. Open May 15-Oct. 15.

Roosevelt Campobello International Park
Route 774, Campobello Island
Lubec, ME
Phone: 506-752-2922

Accessible by a bridge from the mainland, this was originally the summer home for President Franklin Delano Roosevelt. Now a 2,600-acre park, visitors can see the home or hike on more than eight miles of trails.

Roque Bluffs State Park
145 Schoppee Point Road
Roque Bluffs, ME 04654
Phone: 207-255-3475 (Park season

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This 300-acre park features fishing, picnic area with grills, changing areas with toilets, a playground, and a scenic stretch of beach with ocean swimming. Cliffs on the state's Bold Coast offer dramatic views.

AROOSTOOK top of listings

Allagash Wilderness Waterway
Allagash, ME
Phone: 207-941-4014

This preserve has 92 miles of lakes, ponds, streams, and rivers that cut a swathe through Maine's northern forestland. This park is the most remote in the state, and is available for those who truly wish to "rough it." Swimming, boating, fishing, and canoeing are all part of the experience. This is also a popular seasonal hunting area. Hiking trails lead to fire towers throughout the Allagash. It is important to note that there is no public transportation, nor are there any permanent residents in the park. Any visitors who plan to camp or travel through the park will be relatively isolated, and should be experienced in dealing with a primitive outdoor environment.

Aroostook State Park
87 State Park Road
Presque Isle, ME 04769
Phone: 207-768-8341

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The northernmost of all Maine state parks is set alongside Echo Lake. 577 acres offering hiking and cross-country ski trails, fishing, swimming areas and picnicking. Boating and canoeing are permitted in the lake. Public campgrounds are available for a fee. Reservations are suggested.

AUGUSTA/KENNEBEC top of listings

Swan Island Richmond ME Swan Island
Intersection of Routes 197 & 24
Richmond, ME
Phone: 207-547-5322

Come visit Swan Island in the Kennebec River - an island in time - with unique river, forest and meadow habitats for native wildlife like eagles, white-tailed deer, songbirds and wild turkeys. A state-owned Wildlife Management Area and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, there are 6 historic buildings still standing along the central island dirt road, hiking and mountain biking trails, an overnight campground and spectacular scenery. A fabulous wildlife and nature photography site! Kayak and mountain bike rentals are available. Ferry service provided. Admission fees. Open daily May 1- Labor Day by reservation only. Take Exit 43 off I-295 and follow Route 197 East to the intersection of Routes 197 and 24.

GREATER PORTLAND & CASCO BAY top of listings

Crescent Beach State Park
66 Two Lights Road
Cape Elizabeth, ME 04107
Phone: 207-799-5871

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Visitors to this seaside park will enjoy the beach, ocean swimming, and fishing. A snack bar and bathhouses are available. There are picnic tables with grills. Open Memorial Day-Columbus Day. A fee is charged to enter the park.

Maine Wildlife Park Gray ME Maine Wildlife Park
Route 26
Gray, ME
Phone: 207-657-4977

Are you looking for Maine Wildlife? Visit us on Route 26 in Gray, just 3.5 miles from Exit 63 on Maine Turnpike (I-95). There are great opportunities to see and photograph moose, white-tailed deer, black bears, bald eagles, mountain lions, porcupines, fisher, coyotes, hawks, owls, turtles, fish, and more - over 25 species of native wildlife! There are nature trails and wildlife gardens to enjoy, interactive exhibits to view, a 'snack shack', a nature and gift shop and more! The park-like setting, wildlife exhibits, and flower gardens make this an inviting stop. Bring a picnic and spend the day! No reservations are required. Open daily, 9:30am-4:30pm from April 15 through November 11. Admission fees.

Two Lights State Park
Cape Elizabeth, ME
Phone: 207-799-5871

This park features picnic areas and a walking path, from which views of two lighthouses and the water beyond can be enjoyed.

Wolf's Neck Woods State Park
Freeport, ME
Phone: 207-865-4465 207-624-6080 (Off season)

Features hiking trails, fishing and picnic areas. Five minutes from downtown Freeport, the park has climax white pine and hemlock forests, a salt marsh estuary, and rocky shorelines on Casco Bay and the Harraseeket River. Open April to October. A fee is charged.

MAINE HIGHLANDS top of listings

Baxter State Park
64 Balsam Drive
Millinocket, ME 04462
Phone: 207-723-5140

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A wilderness of more than 200,000 acres, Baxter State Park is a hiking and mountain climbing paradise. Within the park borders are 46 mountains, 175 miles of hiking trails, and 10 public campgrounds. Ample fishing is available in the parks many lakes and streams, and hunting is permitted there also. Canoers will enjoy the parks many waterways. Baxter is also the northern end of the Appalachian Trail. Wintertime offers both cross-country ski trails, snowshoeing, winter hiking, and limited snowmobiling.

Lily Bay State Park
Greenville, ME 04441
Phone: 207-695-2700

This park om Moosehead Lake has facilities for fishing, canoeing, lake swimming, in addition to hiking, cross-country ski, ice fishing, and snowmobile trails. A public camping facility is available. Open May 1-Oct. 15, but available for winter activities.

Mattawamkeag Wilderness Park
Medway, ME
Phone: 207-290-0205 (Campground)

This park features areas for fishing, hiking, and swimming in warmer weather. In wintertime visitors can enjoy the snowmobile and cross-country trails. A public campsite is available.

Peaks-Kenny State Park
Sebec, ME 04481
Phone: 207-564-2003

Set along the banks of Sebec Lake, this park offers terrific fishing, canoeing, boating, swimming and hiking trails. Public campsites are available.

MID COAST top of listings

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

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This scenic park is at the foot of Mount Battie, and covers 5,000 acres. Visitors can enjoy the trails for hiking and the rocky shoreline. Of particular interest is the view from the summit of Mount Battie, 900 feet above sea level. A public campsite is available. Open May 15-Oct. 15. A fee is charged.

Fort Knox State Park
Stockton Springs, ME
Phone: 207-469-7719

This historic fort is most interesting for its underground passages, in addition to the stonework using granite from nearby Mount Waldo. The fort was built on the narrows of the Penobscot River to protect the river valley from naval attack, but never saw battle. Open May 1-Oct. 30. a fee is charged.

Fort Point State Park
Searsport, ME
Phone: 207-941-4014

This historic site features areas for picnicking and fishing, as well as a scenic drive.

Fort Popham State Park
Popham, ME
Phone: 207-389-1335

Set on the site of an old fort, this park features fishing and picnic areas in addition to a scenic drive through the park. Open Memorial Day-Sept. 30. A fee is charged.

Lake St. George State Park
Route 3
Liberty, ME 04949
Phone: 207-589-4255

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Visitors to this park will enjoy hiking and cross-country ski trails, snowmobile trails, fishing areas, and swimming. There is a public camping area available.

Merryspring Horticultural Nature Park
Conway Road
Camden, ME 04849
Phone: 207-236-2239

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This nature preserve offers visitors ample opportunities to observe gardens of wildflowers and wildlife, as well as hiking and cross-country ski trails.
Hours: Daily from dawn to dusk. No charge.

Pemaquid Colonial State Park
Pemaquid, ME
Phone: 207-677-2423

One of Maine's oldest historic sites, this state park offers visitors a look at life in Colonial Maine, in addition to scenic water views, and areas for fishing, boating, and canoeing. A snack bar is available for visitors during operating hours. Open Memorial Day-Labor Day. A fee is charged.

Popham Beach State Park
10 Perkins Farm Lane (Route 209)
Popham Beach, ME 04562
Phone: 207-389-1335

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Open May 15-Oct. 30, this park offers fishing spots, swimming in coastal water, and a splendid beach. The beach has bathhouses, freshwater rinse-off showers, and a picnic area with charcoal grills. The park has trails and offers wildlife watching. Fort Popham is two miles further south on Route 209.

Reid State Park
375 Seguinland Road
Georgetown, ME 04548
Phone: 207-371-2303

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This oceanfront park features a saltwater lagoon and Mile Beach. Visitors can enjoy swimming, fishing, boating, canoeing, and picnic areas. Open year-round.

Warren Island State Park
Warren Island, ME
Phone: 207-941-4014

Accessible only by boat, this state park offers visitors remote camping, fishing areas, hiking and cross-country ski trails, in addition to picnic areas.

SOUTH COAST top of listings

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

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The main feature of this state park is the 484-foot granite cliff that overlooks Casco Bay. Visitors can enjoy the hiking, biking, cross country skiing, and snowmobile trails and picnic areas. Snowshoe rentals are available. There is also a public campground. Open year-round, 9 a.m.-sunset. A fee is charged.

Ferry Beach State Park
Bay View, ME 04072
Phone: 207-283-0067 207-624-6080 (Off season)

This small state park offers an ocean beach, complete with picnic areas and hiking trails. There is an admission fee charged. Open Memorial Day-Oct. 1.

Vaughn Woods State Park
28 Oldfields Road
South Berwick, ME 03908
Phone: 207-384-5160

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A 250-acre forested park on the Salmon Falls River has hiking trails and picnicn facilities. Open Memorial Day-Labor Day. A fee is charged.

WESTERN LAKES/MOUNTAINS top of listings

Bigelow Preserve
Route 27
Carrabassett Valley, ME 04947
Phone: 207-778-8231

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Set on 35,027 acres, this preserve is along Flagstaff Lake. There are numerous mountains within the preserves. Extensive trails for both hiking and cross-country skiing are for experienced hikers and skiers. There is also swimming, paddling, fishing, and hunting. Snowmobile trails travers the park.

Grafton Notch State Park
North Newry, ME
Phone: 207-824-2912

This scenic park is the gateway to numerous hiking trails, fishing areas, and amazing natural attractions, including Mother Walker Falls, Screw Auger Falls, Moose Cave, Step Falls and the Bear River. Visitors will see a natural bridge, gorges, and two Maine mountains, Old Speck and Baldpate Mountain. Perhaps the most popular park for hiking in the state, Grafton Notch offers many trails with extraordinary views. Easy trails will take you down into Moose Cave Gorge, Mother Walker Falls, and Screw Auger Falls. For more of a challenge, Table Rock is a one-mile steep climb up Baldpate Mountain. Hikers on this trail will enjoy the views of Grafton Notch, and can explore the caves found at the trail's end. A challenging trail is the four-mile hike to the summit of Old Speck Mountain. The Eyebrow Trail is a side-trail off ths Old Speck climb, leading to Eyebrow Sheer Cliff. It is at this park that the Appalachian Trail enters Maine, and continues north to the Canadian border.

Mount Blue State Park
Weld, ME
Phone: 207-585-2261

This park along the shores of Lake Webb features activities throughout the year. Warmer weather visitors will enjoy fishing, swimming, canoeing, and hiking trails. In the winter, trails are open for both cross-country skiing and snowmobiling. A public campground is available.

Rangeley Lake State Park
Rangeley, ME
Phone: 207-864-3858

Small state park features fishing and swimming areas, canoeing, and snowmobile trails in the winter. There is public camping available.

Sebago Lake State Park
Route 302
Naples, ME
Phone: 207-693-6613

This 1,300-acre park features relaxation on beautiful Sebago Lake. Visitors will enjoy fishing, boating, canoeing, and swimming on the lake. There is a public campsite available. Open May 1-Oct. 15 for full use. Wintertime trails are available for cross-country skiers.

White Mountain National Forest
Bethel, ME
Phone: 207-824-2134

Although most of this forest is in New Hampshire, this portion of the forest features camping areas, hiking trails, fishing, and canoeing. Cross-country ski trails are available in the winter.