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 |