As the world begins to recover from the pandemic, people are flocking to the great outdoors, and the state of Maine is no exception.
According to the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry’s Bureau of Parks and Lands, the state park campgrounds recorded over 319,000 visitor nights last year, an increase of 4,000 from the previous year. And this trend is not just limited to camping. State park attendance also saw a significant increase, with nearly 3.3 million visitors in 2022, making it the second-highest year for state park visitation on record.
Sebago Lake State Park and Lily Bay State Park, two of the most popular state parks, opened campground reservations today, Wednesday, February 1.
Reservations for all other state parks will open on Monday, February 6, at 9 a.m. However, if the Maine state government is closed due to a storm, reservations will open on Tuesday, February 7.
Director of the Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands, Andy Cutko, says that the high volume of visitors has brought with it a need for change and improvement. Still, fortunately, the Maine Jobs and Recovery Plan has allocated $50 million to improve facilities, including shelters, roads, campgrounds, and bathrooms, which are slated to roll out over the next 18 months.
If you’re looking to book a more tranquil camping trip, Cutko recommends considering less-traveled state parks, such as Rangely Lake State Park, or booking during off-peak months, such as June or September, particularly mid-week.
With Maine state parks experiencing a resurgence in outdoor activity, now is the perfect time to plan your next camping adventure and create memories that will last a lifetime.
