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.

This was a backup hike when we realized Camden Hills State Park didn't open until 9am and I wanted…read moreto get an early start. I was in no way disappointed with the hike I got. Bonus, no day use fee here. There is a decent size parking lot and a (mostly) well marked trail. We lost the trail at a couple points - I think mostly due to the amount of leaves and pine needles covering the trail, but we were able to pick it back up eventually. Most of the trail is marked with blue paint on the trees. Well shaded for most of the trail with gorgeous views. Make sure you have footwear with decent grip. Everything was pretty dry even after two days of rain before. It's a quick out and back with a decent elevation gain. On a Tuesday am we saw about 4 other groups on the trail - most with dogs. I am going to assume it might get busy on a weekend but it was a lovely peaceful sunny morning.

I feel the need to preface all of my nature reviews with this: being 90% forested and having around…read more3,500 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? No. Well marked signs? No. Element of surprise? Yes. What an unexpected gem this was! From the placard at the top of the mountain: "at 1,280 feet, Bald Mountain is the fifth highest peak on the eastern seaboard of the U.S. Given the number of its unusual ecological features, Bald Mountain has been designated as a focus area of statewide significance by the Maine Natural Areas Program... the mountain is home to a variety of threatened subalpine plan and lichen species uniquely adapted to extremes of temperature, wind, and precipitation that define these exposed mountain ledges. Given the exposure, shallow soils, and challenge of growing in bedrock cracks, the summits plants are also very sensitive to food traffic. We hope that you will help us care fo the mountain and it's wildlife." Stewardship of Bald Mountain includes: 1. Walk on the established managed trail. 2. Stay on bedrock to avoid vegetation. 3. Do not create or add to cairns (gathering stones on the summit disturbs shallow soil and plants to live around them). The exposed granite ledges are much wider and spacious than I thought they'd be - there's really so much to explore (respectfully) here! Come on a sunny, wind-free day and it's a warm, lovely place to sit and have a picnic. From the top you can see directly across to Little Ragged Mountain and Penobscot Bay, and Camden. It's a quick uphill at 1.2ish miles and there's a few sections with rock scrambles, and due to the thick forest the blazes and trail seem sporadic at times. I met a couple from Vermont at the top and we all agreed it was a little confusing at times (we couldn't entirely figure out where the blue blazes stopped/started at the top for example) - as were the multiple false summits, but honestly that's a positive here, because every time you think "well the view can't get better than this" you hike a bit more - and it does! Absolutely will come back again (especially in the summer when the blueberries are ripe)!

Great Pond Mountain is a fabulous spot and there are different ways to get to the top. There's a…read morelot of granite higher up in the trail and there is a nice loop around the summit.

My usual mountain hike areas are not well known and sometimes takes time to find the entrance to…read morethe trail. This is not such a place. Driving into the area, I found a museum for the local fish hatchery, a busy swimming area, and public bathrooms. Such luxury compared to what I usually have when out for a hike. The road to the trail was a dirt road and I believe I traveled about a mile before getting to one of three parking areas. There was a large map showing all of the local trails, mountains, and scenic spots. The trail itself was well marked with wooden blue blazes, well groomed, a well maintained bridge and signs along the way to guide a hiker song the trail they want. Much of the trail was smooth granite that made easy walking and can also make for easy mountain biking as a biker when scooting by me while I relaxed. Near the top of the mountain was where the best views were had. At the very top, the view was not as spectacular but needed so I could say I did the whole mountain. All or nothing!! I will definitely be back with my husband and our bikes to check out the mountain bike trails and to check out the museum.

You can find the Beech Hill Preserve at 316 Beech Hill Rd, Rockport, ME 04856 with easy access to…read moreUS1. There are parking lots on either end of the trails leading up to the top and plenty of parking. Beech Hill was very close to where we were staying (at the border of Rockport and Rockland) and this fairly easy hike was about 5 minutes away. We climbed up one foggy day and returned another day from the opposite end to catch the view, obscured on the first day. Of course the prize of this hike is the really fantastic stacked-stone Tea House at the summit. Along the way you'll find blueberries that at one time were harvested and processed at the house (there's still an active processing building at one of the parking areas so it continues to this day). I took many photos of the Beech Nut Hut (as it's colloquially called) and added them to the Yelp listing dedicated to it). The trail itself is pleasant and fairly easy - I longer trail is slightly more aggressive than the short one that provides easy access to the summit. In all a good hike with plenty of native species to view as you ascend and descend, especially for those that have issues with more aggressive hikes.

Lovely easy well marked hike with a great lookout! Free access & parking. Dog friendly.read more

Beautiful place to spend time hiking and exploring the gorgeous coast of Maine…read more Keep it as is...

Highly recommend this beautiful island. Great for hiking, exploring or spending the day at the…read morebeach. I recommend packing a picnic and making a day trip out of it. You want to be there when it is low tide. There is a cool driftwood fort on the beach. Pick up after yourself. No overnight camping or hanging out after dark. It is pristine and peaceful. They host yoga on the beach as well.

Our first lighthouse of the day as we head south from Ellsworth, the Dyce Head Lighthouse is about…read more16 miles from US-1 onto the peninsula. There is a small parking lot here (too small!) and there is a nice walk around the lighthouse as the property is open for visitation. Dyce Head was nice and it is a lighthouse, but it was not my favorite of the ones we visited this weekend. There is a steep and narrow path down to the water which I would not recommend. The lighthouse was first established in 1829, the light was deactivated in 1937 and replaced with a simple skeleton tower that was destroyed by a storm. Following that, this old light was reactivated in 2008. The tower is 129 feet above the mean high tide point. It is officially a tower of rubble masonry laid in a lime mortar that was repaired in 1998 with a slurry injection of liquid concrete. The structure still stands. [Review 14881 overall, 383 of 2021, number 63 in Maine.]

Beautiful location - perfect place for a sunset. If you're lucky enough to visit when it is open (a…read morerare occasion, as this lighthouse now serves as someone's residence), it is so cool to go up the light and to get some information/history of the light and the town. There is a path into the wooded area that takes you down to a set of stairs. It leads to the rocky (be careful!!!) coast where you can enjoy the waves, sometimes some seals, and a stunning sunset.

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.

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.

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.

The Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse is located in this park. There was ample parking . The…read morelighthouse is located almost one mile our and the walk to get there is not horrible, but you do have to pay attention. You walk along large stones/bolders with gaps in between. However, the views are spectacular. Definitely worth the walk for to experience the views.