Spectacular view of Penobscot Bay, the surrounding islands, and the Town of Camden. Well…read moremaintained and clean park, we walked a few of the trails on our visit today. $6 per person for non residents of Maine. That pretty much says it all, a short review, but this is a "must visit" if you are in the area.

I always try to visit a park when I'm traveling. Camden Hills State Park is a must see while…read morevisiting Maine. There is a small $6 fee for entry. You can camp, walk, bike or drive the park. The park guides are very helpful. We went straight to Mt Battie Rd for a beautiful scenic view of Camden Harbor. Penobscot Bay and Megunticook Lake. The views are out of the world! We spent 2 days going in and out of the park to see daytime versus sunset across the bay. We actually had a small picnic while visiting. This was a very calm relaxing experience. I highly recommend especially if you like wandering and hiking in parks. There is two sides to park, so dont forget to drive across the street.

I feel the need to preface all of my nature reviews with this: being 90% forested and having around…read more3500 miles of coastline, Maine has a tremendous amount of spaces, walkways, paths, and trails of all kinds and of all levels. There's something for everyone. What I'm reviewing is how a spot compares to similar outdoor spots in my personal opinion. Being in nature - and remembering to carry in, carry out - is always five stars! :) Parking? Yes. Loop trail? Kind of. Well marked signs? Not really. Element of surprise? No. For Cumberland County folks, Moose Point feels like a combination of Fort Williams Park and Mackworth Island. It's got grassy knolls to picnic on with views of Penobscot Bay, evergreen groves to meander through via wide and well maintained trails (some of which have benches, some of which have little staircases leading down to the pebbled water's edge), a gazebo for events, and during low tide there are tidal pools to explore (during high tide it's much more difficult to navigate because it's mostly just uneven rocks and not much of a shore). I think this is a beautiful spot in midcoast Maine, and I'm glad there are locations like it throughout the state. Personally, I don't necessarily feel the need to come back (except to get my Maine State Parks Passport Stamp!!!), just because we have something soooooooooooo similar so close. But I can see how it's a draw for so many!

A hidden in plain sight gem of Maine! Moose Point State Park is sandwiched between route1 & the…read moreocean. We visited just before the season &, as such, parked outside the gate & walked in. There are many picnic table to enjoy lunch, a group pavilion, a playground & hiking trails to enjoy the ocean views. It would be well worth the $3/person fee in-season to enjoy this park. In particular, go in to the right ocean corner of the open area past the playground & there's a level easy walking path along the ocean out to a point with 270' water views. Give enough time to take pictures. We met the park ranger & had a lovely conversation about the local birds & the park's resident fox. Allot 1-2 hours, bring a picnic lunch & bring your camera.

I did not see any owls at this state park, and I would think that the windy bluffs are not the spot…read morewhere you'd find one as they seem to prefer quiet areas. However, the views are majestic and entrance is free. There are ways to walk down to the beach, which is rocky as is typical in the region. The lighthouse itself is not regularly open for visitation, but there is a visitor center below it. The amount of trails and things to do is not enormous, but it is a great place to have open to the public to take as a sightseeing endeavor.

Owls Well That Ends Well…read more State Park that includes a lighthouse, visitor center, and several beaches along the Penobscot Bay. The Good: *Free to visit *The Owls Head Lighthouse is the main draw here and for good reason as it's been in operation since 1825 and is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. *Gift shop *Picnic tables *Two beaches that are evidently swimmable *Large dirt lot that don't seem too busy *Easy drive over from nearby touristy Rockland The Meh: *If you're not a fan of stairs, then this lighthouse won't be your jam. The Ugly: *If you visit on a foggy day there won't be much of a view. =/ Conclusion: Superb lighthouse at my favorite price.

So glad we found this gem of an outing in our tour of the state. Walking the break wall was a…read moreunique experience. There are large gaps but it's pretty even. We wore good shoes and hoodies and were fine. The lighthouse itself was small but jam packed with that coastal vibe we came for. Plus we got to walk a mile out into the ocean!

The Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse is located in the park and to get there, you have to walk about…read morea mile or more on the uneven granite slabs. There's some parts that have gaps, so you have to pay attention. But over all it was an easy walk to the light house. The walk itself was quite relaxing and beautiful. On each side of the pathway, the water on each side are quite different, which makes it beautiful. Once you reach the end, you'll find a lighthouse at the end. You can walk up the stairs of the lighthouse to get a better view. Overall, I really enjoyed this lighthouse and would come back.

Had a fantastic 3 hour cruise this morning on Camden Harbor Cruises. Cassie was very informative…read moreand educational, we learned a lot about lobstering in Maine, as well as taking in all the awesome scenery (got to see a handful of lighthouses on this tour). We also observed several harbor seals on the cruise. As an added bonus, the weather happened to be perfect this morning. Dogs are allowed on the boat, our mini poodle also loved her outing today. We highly recommend this cruise if you have never been to the Penobscot Bay area before.

Very enjoyable and educational experience. Not too many lobsters caught, but a number of crabs…read more Good explanation of lobsters and crabs and lobsters as well as local lighthouses and their history. Friendly crew. No scripted presentation but as things come up. If you only have 75 minutes , definitely worth the time and an inexpensive way to see how Camden looks from the sea.

Nice little park. Not too busy and has a few nice trails by the water. Also picnic tables and and…read morespace to play catch or toss a football. Lots of trees for hammocking as well!

I thought this spot was beautiful. Quiet. The grounds area…read morecould use some updating. But it's got water, rocks, shade trees, and a swing! Precious low key spot for some relaxing.

Acadia National Park is one of those places that genuinely lives up to everything said about it,…read moreand it stands apart from the big western parks in a way that makes it its own distinct experience. I found the combination of rocky coastline, dense evergreen forests, and mountain summits accessible within a relatively compact area meant there was always something worth stopping for. The scenery shifted constantly as I moved through the park, and keeping a camera within reach at all times was not an exaggeration. Cadillac Mountain is the natural anchor of my visit. The drive to the summit is worth doing on its own, but I chose to hike the Gorge Trail leading up to it on foot. It was a serious undertaking that included real rock climbing sections and rewarded me with views that felt genuinely earned. I budgeted a full half day for the hike rather than driving. The summit itself has a gift shop, and the views from the top looked out in every direction with nothing obstructing them. A reservation for the Cadillac summit road costs a few dollars and needs to be booked online in advance, so I handled that before I arrived. The Beehive Trail is another strong option for hikers who want something with more exposure and elevation gain than a standard walk. I also built Sand Beach and Thunder Hole into my loop drive, and the carriage roads offered a different pace entirely, peaceful and scenic with no vehicle traffic to contend with, making them ideal for biking if I had access to wheels. Parking was a genuine challenge during peak season and on weekends in particular. Arriving early in the morning was the only reliable way to secure a spot at the popular stops without waiting an hour or more. A late fall visit would hit a sweet spot where crowds thin out considerably, the air is crisp, and the park takes on a quieter quality that peak season cannot offer. I made sure to buy my park pass at the visitor center and did my research on seasonal hours before I went, as services and shuttles wind down toward the end of October.

Where do you even begin to review a national park as gorgeous as Acadia?…read more Sand Beach and Thunder Hole are a must see. Beautiful sights. Cadillac Mountain is worth it.

Picture this: you're strolling along a pebbly beach tucked away along the most quintessential Maine…read morerocky coast scene in the world during almost-dusk without a care in the world. It's like something out of Downeast Magazine, but really it's the vibe at Birch Point State Park during the off-season (which is open all year round, and as a Mainer you should really, really check out... I mean, is there anything quite as romantic as the ocean during winter?). I came in autumn and parked along the street outside of the entrance, walked the half mile down the access road, and was greeted by a crescent shaped beach bookended by giant rocks/ledges and small green spaces with picnic tables. I know there's a fee during the height of the season, but there's something really special about being able to enjoy this kind of unadulterated nature sans people in the chilly weather - so bring a sweater, a flask, a book... I'm confused though - there was a handwritten note defacing a park sign at the entrance that said, "Screw you State of Maine for closing this park." I don't know what's going on with that, but I hope it's not the truth because this is gem of spot. It seemed closed only for the season when I came, though that didn't stop locals from walking their dogs here.

Such a relaxing place that you don't even read your book much- just watch the water…read more A Sunday in mid-July was not crowded when we arrived at 1030 but by the time we left at 1, parking was rare and most people were parked on the long gravel drive into the park. The beach is a typical Maine one with dark, packed Sand and lots of seaweed. There's a lot of bugs in the seaweed that will go everywhere if you try to move it. Rocks are on either side of the beach and can make a less comfortable but quieter site. I was disappointed to see a giant pile of poo when we walked in. I think it was from a dog. Please, please clean up after your dog or leave them at home. This is a state park for all of us to enjoy. The water is frigid cold but we saw quite a few swimmers today. There are some grill to the left as you walk in that are shaded. Dogs must be on a leash.

What an amazing state park. It's super large with lots of beach front and a lagoon. Lots of parking…read moreand bathrooms in both areas. Just a small view to get in. The views were fantastic, if I lived closer I would frequent this place!

Reid State Park is a Maine tourist destination, but locals know the best time to visit is after…read moreLabor Day! This State Park is located off the beaten path. At the end of a winding scenic drive this place is what you think of when you think Coastal Maine. During the summer there is a concession stand, life guards, and park staff. The lagoon is a calm warmer more shallow place to swim, perfect for the kiddos. There beach goes on for miles and waves crash along the sand and the rocks. Tons to do and explore! Climb around the rocky shore, explore tide pools, and make sand castles! It's a family friendly place, with some of most breathtaking views in the State. Bring a nice picnic there are a lot of picnic tables scattered around there are two beaches to explore with plenty of parking as well as changing rooms, showers, and ADA compliant restrooms. There is also a large shelter that groups can use for meetings, cook outs etc. No pets allowed during certain months. Put this park on your must visit list if you're in Maine.

Such a peaceful and scenic spot to visit! The views from the lighthouse were absolutely stunning --…read moreyou can see the waves crashing along the rocks and feel the salty ocean breeze. It's the perfect place to relax, take photos, and just enjoy the beauty of the coast. The area was clean, easy to walk around, and not too crowded, which made it even more enjoyable. Whether you're into photography, sightseeing, or just love ocean views, this lighthouse is definitely worth the stop.

This was my first ever SUN RISE with a lighthouse and it was AMAZING. Came here around 7am Friday…read moremorning and made it just in time for Sunrise. There were plenty of parking and only a few people here. The View was absolutely breath taking. The sun was slowly making its away up on the beautiful water. The sound of the ocean waves against the rocks, the ocean breeze smell were absolutely magnificent. There is even a bench for you set and enjoy the sun rise. It was truly peaceful and definitely made my morning. Highly recommend coming here.