Advertisement
Published: June 13th 2020
Edit Blog Post
As promised, although I don't think I actually did... but here are my favorite Maine State Parks and Historical Sites. I think I'm going to try and rank them... we shall see.
10. Aroostook State Park This may have gotten on the list because it was the final stamp we needed. Not many people are going camping up in Northern Maine, with that being said, it makes for a relaxing and quiet destination.
Why I Love It: It's secluded, has large camp sites, plenty of showers, a entertainment/game room, pond, and some really welcoming wardens.
9. Ferry Beach State Park Old Orchard Beach is a very popular and, in my opinion, overly hyped beach. It's often crowded in the summer, dirty, and has barely any parking. Crescent State Beach is another popular beach for families. However, my favorite beach is Ferry Beach in Saco. Its about a 15 minute drive south from Old Orchard and it is well worth the extra minutes.
Why I Love It: It's never busy, lots of parking, and very clean.
8. Grafton Notch State Park If you love waterfalls Grafton Notch is a great place to go! Through out the area there are a ton of
hiking trails. From tall falls, to gorges, to step falls; there are so many to discover. Hiking trails for all abilities. I suggest going right after it rains.
Why I Love It: There is so much to discover, gorgeous scenery, and lovely hikes.
7. Damariscotta Lake State Park One thing Dave and I miss since being in California, is the ability to swim in fresh water. Damariscotta was our go to destination on a hot summer day. It has a nice long beach on the lake, even a spot for dogs. Even though it would look busy in the parking lot, it seldom seemed like it when you got towards the water. It stays shallow for a very long distance, which is great for kids.
We liked it because we could swim further out, be away from families, and still be able to touch the bottom. Since it is pretty shallow, the water isn't too cold. They also have grills and picnic tables, so bring a lunch!
Why I Love It: Shallow, Refreshing, and Doesn't Seem Busy
6. Warren Island State Park There is no ferry or boat which goes to Warren Island. Here is how we got there.
1.
Drove to Lincolnville
2. Took the ferry to Isleboro
3. Walked down the steepest dock ever
4. ROWED across the bay
I could write a whole separate post about our adventure to Warren Island. It is by far, the hardest State Park to get to. It is still, one of our favorite dates together. On the island there isn't too much to do. The warden lives on the island, and when we were there we were the only ones. He gave us a tour, and a bit of history about the place. Warren island is tiny. There is a hiking trail of 1 mile which does a full loop around. However, why it made the list, was the adventure on how to get there.
5. Mount Blue State Park If you have a family, this is a great destination! There are Kayaks, Canoes, Hiking, Badminton, and lots of other activities. You can go hiking on Mount Blue, or drive up to Rangeley for a day out. The camp spots are a bit close together, but still secluded. I love the giant sinks to wash dishes, and there are plenty of showers. My only con... the swimming is very cold!
Why I Love It: Great Family Destination, Lots to Do, Beautiful Scenery!
4. Fort Colonial Pemaquid Need a good day trip? Colonial Pemaquid is our favorite for the historical aspect of this location. It's history is displayed in it's museum. There are several landmarks on the property, and a lovely view of the coast. From the picnic tables, lush lawn, and beautiful scenery its a great place to spend the day. If you want to make a full day of State Parking, Fort Popham, Popham Beach, and Reid State Park are all close by!
Why I Love It: Best Historical Landmark, Scenery, and Lots to Look At
3. Wolfe's Neck Woods State Park The best for year round entertainment! We've been to Wolfe's Neck several times, at all times of year, and it has never disappointed. Its right off a peninsula near Freeport. Wolfe's Neck has beautiful scenery of the coast; however it's the hiking trails which makes this a great place to go. Accessible through out the whole year, it has trails for all abilities. We used our snowshoes in the winter, and it was so much fun. LL Bean often hosts events there; in the winter they provide hot chocolate, and
in the summer you can often find canoes to use.
Why I Love It: Great Year Round, Events, Hiking
2. Fort Knox State Park What a cool place! There is so much to explore at Fort Knox. We stumbled across a tour which was starting, and we loved it. So much history, and a great place to go for the day. In the same parking lot is the Penobscot Narrows Bridge. We were surprised to find out its the tallest bridge in the western hemisphere! Not for those who are scared of heights! It's only an extra $3 a person to take the elevator up. It is well worth it!
Why I Love It: Tour, History, and best Landmark
#1. Camden Hills State Park This state park deserves the #1 spot. There are a lot of great things going for it. Great camping, activities for families, historical highlights, hiking, beach, and close to lovely Camden Maine. We've camped here several times; it has always been a great place to go.
Why I Love It: Has a little bit of everything, location, and very clean
Advertisement
Tot: 0.088s; Tpl: 0.01s; cc: 5; qc: 43; dbt: 0.0448s; 1; m:domysql w:travelblog (10.17.0.13); sld: 1;
; mem: 1.1mb