State Parks – The Maine Highlands
Peaks-Kenney State Park on Sebec Lake in Dover-Foxcroft, Maine. Photo courtesy of Erik Stumpfel (ems18 on Flickr).
Baxter State Park
Baxter State Park (64 Balsam Drive, Millinocket; 207-723-5140) encompasses a 201,000-acre wilderness area, crisscrossed by 50 connected trails that wind around lakes and ponds, and even reach to the top of Maine’s highest peak, Mt. Katahdin. This wilderness area is home to moose, caribou, beaver and deer, and hosts a range of summer activities, from a Visiting Artist Program to evening programs for children. The campground is open year-round and offers eight tent campgrounds with outhouses, three backcountry sites and the Katahdin Lake Wilderness Camp. Leave your pets at home! Entrance fees start at $14 per vehicle.
Lily Bay State Park
Lily Bay State Park (Lily Bay Road, Greenville; 207-695-2700) encompasses 925 acres adjacent to Moosehead Lake, the state’s largest freshwater body of water at 117 square miles. Moosehead Lake offers legendary brook trout, salmon and toque fishing, as well as a sandy swimming beach, canoeing, kayaking and boating. Lily Bay has 90 campsites in two campgrounds – both of which offer lakefront camping – and two boat ramps. The park also contains Lazy Tom Bog, a favorite moose hangout, and hiking trails that ascend Big Moose, Big Spencer and Number 4 Mountains. The park is open year-round and dogs are welcome. Entrance fees start at $3 for adult residents, $4.50 for non-residents, $1.50 for seniors, and $1 for children.
Peaks-Kenny State Park
For a combination of hiking, water sports and beach time, look no further than Peaks-Kenny State Park (401 State Park Road, Dover-Foxcroft; 207-564-2003). This 839 acre park sits on the shore of Sebec Lake, which has more than a mile of sandy shore to explore. Just across the lake lies Borestone Mountain, a 1,600 acre nature preserve covered with old-growth forest. Rent a canoe, kayak or row boat or try your hand at angling for the trout and landlocked salmon that live in the lake. Peaks-Kenny has a 56-site campground complete with hot showers. The campground is just a short walk to the beach, which is lifeguarded in the summer. Visitors can walk, hike or mountain bike on the park’s 10-mile network of trails, which range from easy to moderate. There’s even a half-mile loop trail that’s perfect for families with children. Pets are allowed, as long as they’re kept on a 4-foot – or shorter – leash. Entrance fees start at $4 for adult residents, $6 for non-residents, $2 for seniors, and $1 for children.
View The Maine Highlands Region State Parks in a larger map