AUGUSTA, Maine September 3, 2009 – When the good weather hits, folks in Maine know right where to go — our 47 Maine state parks and historic sites.
The wonderful stretch of beautiful, late-summer weather, plus this upcoming holiday weekend, is just the inspiration many people need to head outdoors for family fun.
As of Thursday afternoon, all 12 of the state park campgrounds were full, except for a few sites left at Aroostook State Park in Presque Isle and Cobscook Bay State Park in Edmunds Township, according to Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands officials.
“Campers have been calling and booking all this week,” Charlene Daniels, BPL reservations supervisor, said. “We will end the season with high public use and many happy campers in the parks!”
Lily Bay State Park in Greenville also has been filled for the upcoming weekend of Sept. 11-13, the 36th Annual International Seaplane Fly-in event, Daniels reported.
For the weekend of Aug. 14-16, a total of 10 state park campgrounds also were completely full, except for Aroostook and Cobscook, the reservations supervisor said. August park use figures are expected to be available next week, she said.
Last year, more than 2.2 million people visited Maine’s state parks and historic sites, adding about $100 million to the state’s economy. Earlier this season, overall park attendance was down about 11 percent, but appears to be rebounding with the return to excellent weather.
“This is Maine’s best-kept secret, and many more people are discovering it — that this time of the year is by far the nicest to get outdoors and enjoy our special places,” Will Harris, director of the Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands, under the Maine Department of Conservation, said.
“Warm days and cool nights make it just perfect for hiking, swimming, camping, ATV-ing — every kind of outdoor recreation you can think of – and our parks and lands are the best places at which to have fun,” Harris said.
Parks tends to be less crowded because so many youngsters have returned to school and young people are off to college. Park staffing also is reduced, with no lifeguards at swimming sites, though managers, rangers and assistant rangers remain on duty for some weeks longer.
Park staff also will be on duty during the upcoming state shutdown day on Friday, Sept. 4. Those state employees will take shutdown days during the off season.
Numerous people also have been calling about camping in the state’s public reserve lands, according to park staff. Camping in these areas is remote, wilderness-style with no amenities and strict carry-in, carry-out rules and no-campfire regulations.
There are no fees for using them, however, and some campsites are extraordinary, such as Cutler Coast, which offers three ocean-front tent sites. Some public reserve land campsites can even accommodate a small recreation vehicle, staffers point out.
Those people interested in visiting a state park, historic site or public reserve land can find detailed information, including downloadable maps, campsite descriptions and guidelines, at the BPL search website.
The reservation season will end on Sept. 13, and off-season camping will start on Sept. 14, which means they are filled on a first-come, first-served basis at the campgrounds. Off-season rates also apply, starting at $10 for Maine residents per night and $18 for non-residents.
For more information, go to: www.parksandlands.com
The “Find Parks and Lands” search feature will provide more information on specific parks, historic sites and public reserve lands.
