Maine state park campgrounds experienced their third consecutive year of record-breaking attendance in 2022, with over 319,000 visitor nights at the state’s 12 campgrounds.
As per a report, Maine state parks also reported the second-highest number of total visitations (day visitors plus campers) in 2022, with over 3.28 million people spending time at Maine’s 48 state parks and historic sites, according to the Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands.
In 2021, Maine state parks welcomed over 3.3 million visitors, including more than 315,000 campers who stayed at campgrounds from Sebago Lake to Cobscook Bay and Aroostook County. This marked a 12% increase in the number of campers compared to the previous year. In 2020, even with campgrounds shut down due to COVID-19, state park campgrounds saw an 8% increase in visitors, with 280,371 visitors.
These high visitation numbers demonstrate that people in Maine and visitors to the state continue to enjoy the state’s parks, according to Andy Cutko, the director of the Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands. Cutko noted that the pandemic had led to a spike in outdoor activity, and it is encouraging to see that this trend has been sustained.
Online camping reservations for two of the state’s most popular campgrounds, Lily Bay State Park on Moosehead Lake and Sebago Lake State Park, will open on February 1. Reservations for the rest of the state parks will open on February 6.
The high demand for camping in Maine state parks is not surprising, given the state’s beautiful natural surroundings and abundance of outdoor recreational opportunities. From hiking and biking to swimming and fishing, there is something for everyone to enjoy in Maine’s state parks. So if you’re planning a camping trip to Maine, make your reservations early to secure your spot at one of these popular locations.
Isn’t it cool how more people are flocking to Maine’s state park campgrounds? It’s awesome to see the love for nature growing. Exciting times ahead for campers!