10 Best Maine State Parks (Our Favorite State Parks in Maine)

Although Maine is known as the home of Acadia National Park (the only official Maine national park), it is also home to many smaller but gorgeous, scenic state parks that offer a wide array of fun and unique vacation adventures.

Most Maine state parks offer access to hiking and biking trails for all athletic abilities. Some are blessed with gorgeous ocean or lakeside locations perfect for a refreshing swim or some sunbathing.

Visiting Maine’s state parks, you can be sure that the views and scenery will be outstanding – from stunning high mountains and crystal clear lakes to the rocky southern coastline.

While we highly recommend visiting each Maine state park, here are our favorite state parks in Maine…

Baxter State Park | Piscataquis County, Maine

Baxter State Park is located in the heart of Maine and is home to Maine’s highest mountain, Mount Katahdin, at 5,268 feet. Hiking enthusiasts will love exploring over 200 miles of trails, both easy and challenging, that Baxter has to offer.

The mountains offer breathtaking views of New England and hikers have been known to run into wildlife such as moose, bears, and deer.

Note: This Maine state park is not overseen by the Maine Department of Conservation.

Two Lights State Park | Cape Elizabeth, Maine

Two Lights State Park, in Cape Elizabeth, is appropriately named for the presence of twin lighthouses, one of which is still functioning today.

On-site there is a gift shop and full-service restaurant where visitors can eat fresh seafood at outdoor picnic tables and take a walk on the rocky coastline where they can watch fishermen catching Stripers or lobstermen hauling in their traps offshore.

Sebago Lake State Park | Naples, Maine

Sebago Lake State Park begins accepting camping reservations as early as February because it books up fast!

This park is next to Point Sebago Resort, voted the #1 Family Friendly Resort in the Northeast.

The campground and state park offer a variety of activities to choose from including sandy beaches, hiking, horseback riding, and kayaking, as well as cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, and snowshoeing in the winter.

Visitors will also enjoy gorgeous views of the White Mountains and Sebago Lake.

Birch Point State Park | Owls Head, Maine

Birch Point State Park is worth a visit – if you can find it, that is!

Located literally off the beaten path, this secluded hideaway is home to beautiful views of Penobscot Bay and surrounding islands. The park is popular for sunbathing, swimming, fishing, and picnicking.

Unfortunately, the park is only open during the day and during the summer months so be sure to time your visit.

Bradbury Mountain State Park | Pownal, Maine

Bradbury Mountain State Park is one of Maine’s original five state parks and a great place to relax and enjoy the 800 acres of forest it has to offer.

In the fall, Bradbury is home to migrating hawks and eagles.

Bradbury Mountain itself is a sight to see, with both flat and narrow paths that will accommodate any hiker. There are also several popular mountain biking trails.

Scarborough Beach State Park | Scarborough, Maine

Scarborough Beach State Park has one of the best swimming beaches in Maine due to its water temperatures that remain fairly warm throughout the prime summer months.

Visitors also enjoy hiking on a self-guided trail, fishing, and boating in the summer months. The “Shack” offers beachside food and daily rentals of chairs, umbrellas, and boogie boards.

Note: This Maine state park is not overseen by the Maine Department of Conservation.

Rangeley Lake State Park | Franklin, Maine

Rangeley Lake State Park is one of the most picturesque state parks in Maine, overlooking Maine’s western mountains and surrounding 10-square miles of Rangeley Lake.

Wintertime attracts snowmobilers and snowshoers while the summer months bring some of the best salmon and trout fishing in Maine.

There are also many campsites located in Rangeley Park with plenty of amenities including boat launches and picnic areas.

Camden Hills State Park | Camden, Maine

Camden Hills State Park is particularly popular amongst bird-watchers and bird-lovers, known as a retreat for migrating hawks and other bird species. It’s not uncommon to spot great blue herons, ospreys or even a bald eagle!

A drive or hike up Mount Battie, 800 feet above sea level, offers visitors spectacular views of Camden Harbor and Penobscot Bay.

Popham Beach State Park | Sagadahoc, Maine

Popham Beach State Park is one of the most visited state parks in Maine. It is popular for beachgoers looking to swim, sunbathe, beachcomb, or bird watch.

It features a great beach for families with children who will enjoy the shallow tide pools that form at low tide – keep your eye out for a starfish and other sea creatures!

Wolfe’s Neck Woods State Park | Cumberland, Maine

Wolfe’s Neck Woods State Park is a 230-acre relaxing retreat not far from Freeport’s shopping outlets. Activities at the park include clamming, kayaking, and boating. The park grounds’ mostly flat terrain makes it perfect for children or physically challenged visitors.

Rangers at the park offer guided nature programs for an informative and fun look into Maine’s beautiful state parks.

More State Parks in Maine

While these might be our favorite Maine state parks, they’re not the only state parks in Maine. Maine is home to 35 state parks, plus many other public lands that are worth exploring. Start planning your Maine vacation today!

State Park	County	Town	Established	Water
Allagash Wilderness Waterway	Aroostook,
Androscoggin Riverlands	Androscoggin	Turner		Androscoggin River
Aroostook State Park	Aroostook	Presque Isle	1938	Echo Lake
Baxter State Park	Piscataquis		1931
Birch Point State Park	Knox	Owls Head	1999	Penobscot Bay
Bradbury Mountain State Park	Cumberland	Pownal	1939
Camden Hills State Park	Knox, Waldo	Camden, Lincolnville	1947
Cobscook Bay State Park	Washington	Edmunds Township	1964	Cobscook Bay
Crescent Beach State Park	Cumberland	Cape Elizabeth	1966	Atlantic Ocean
Damariscotta Lake State Park	Lincoln	Jefferson	1970	Damariscotta Lake
Ferry Beach State Park	York	Saco		Atlantic Ocean
Fort Point State Park	Waldo	Stockton Springs	1974	Penobscot Bay
Grafton Notch State Park	Oxford	Grafton Township	1963	Bear River
Holbrook Island Sanctuary State Park	Hancock	Brooksville	1971	Penobscot Bay
Lake St. George State Park	Waldo	Liberty Township		Lake St. George
Lamoine State Park	Hancock	Lamoine	1949	Frenchman’s Bay
Lily Bay State Park	Piscataquis	Greenville	1959	Moosehead Lake
Mackworth Island	Cumberland	Falmouth	1946	Casco Bay
Moose Point State Park	Waldo	Searsport	1952	Penobscot Bay
Mount Blue State Park	Franklin	Weld	1955	Webb Lake
Mount Kineo State Park	Piscataquis	Kineo Township		Moosehead Lake
Owls Head Light State Park	Knox	Owls Head		Penobscot Bay
Peacock Beach State Park	Sagadahoc	Richmond		Pleasant Pond
Peaks-Kenny State Park	Piscataquis	Dover-Foxcroft,
Penobscot River Corridor	Piscataquis,
Popham Beach State Park	Sagadahoc	Phippsburg		Atlantic Ocean
Quoddy Head State Park	Washington	Lubec	1962	Atlantic Ocean
Range Ponds State Park	Androscoggin	Poland	1965	Range Ponds
Rangeley Lake State Park	Franklin	Rangeley,
Reid State Park	Sagadahoc	Georgetown	1946	Sheepscot Bay
Roque Bluffs State Park	Washington	Roque Bluffs	1969	Englishman Bay
Sebago Lake State Park	Cumberland	Naples, Casco	1938	Sebago Lake
Shackford Head State Park	Washington	Eastport	1989	Cobscook Bay
Swan Lake State Park	Waldo	Swanville		Swan Lake
Two Lights State Park	Cumberland	Cape Elizabeth	1961	Casco Bay
Vaughan Woods State Park	York	South Berwick	1949	Salmon Falls River
Warren Island State Park	Waldo	Islesboro	1959	Penobscot Bay
Wolfe’s Neck Woods State Park	Cumberland	Freeport	1969	Casco Bay