Welcome to the Maine Bureau of Parks & Lands

If you want to explore Maine's great outdoors, you've come to the right place! Maine is legendary for its rock-bound coast, sandy beaches, the north woods, mountains, lakes, and rivers. All of these areas are represented in the one million acres managed by the Maine Bureau of Parks & Lands, within the Department of Conservation. Included in this acreage are parks, historic sites, beaches, camping areas, waterways, public reserved lands, and thousands of miles of trails. Come explore Maine on us!

Get a great deal - purchase an annual Maine State Park Pass.
Get more out of your visit by viewing our Event Calendar.
Get information about each of the parks and lands at our searchable database Find Parks & Lands .

FEATURED EVENTS

Feathers over Freeport

2012 - A Great Success!

Mark your calendars for 2013:
April 27 & 28

A weekend birdwatching festival for all ages and abilities. View photos of the event at the Feathers over Freeport webpage.

First Time Campers Program

Entry deadline May 31, 2012

We are looking to connect 40 Maine families, who have never been camping, to a great first-time camping experience at one of 11 participating Maine State Parks. For complete details and to register for a chance to win click here.

Passport Program Returns!

Beginning May 15 -
through September, 2012

Explore Maine's state parks and historic sites and get great rewards! Get a free passport when you visit the parks - beginning May 15. Continue using your previous passport if you have not yet collected all the park stamps. Collect stamps and redeem rewards! Finding the brown passport station at each park is part of the fun! Complete program details are in the passport or click here to see how to use the passport now.

Find Parks & Lands
Here is a convenient online tool to help you discover Maine's great State Parks, Public Lands and Historic Sites!

This feature allows you to search by activity, facility or region; or try the "single-tank trips" option and go on a gas-saving adventure by finding a destination in your neck of the woods.

Downloadable maps and brochures are available for select locations or use the "print this page" feature for a printer-friendly brochure.

There is so much to discover on BPL managed lands. We hope this feature will you find your special places and experience the natural beauty of Maine.

To use this feature select the link Find Parks & Lands (also located in the top right portion of your screen under the Bureau Features heading). BPL will continue to expand and enhance this website. Please contact us with your comments.

Day Use Fees | Camping Fees | Rules

The Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands has partnered with the Center for Community GIS of Farmington to create a datebase of all state trails.

Check Maine Trail Finder for the latest information on trails in Maine. More trails are being added regularly.

Notice of 30 day Comment Period Proposed Rule Making

The Bureau of Parks and Lands is seeking public comment on proposed rule changes to
Ch. 1, Rules for State Parks and Historic Sites - Hunting, Trapping & Firearms

BRIEF SUMMARY:
Rules for Maine State Parks and Historic Sites will be amended in order to comply with Public Law Ch. 394, "An Act Relating to Locations where Concealed Weapons May be Carried." This rule amendment will allow a concealed firearm to be carried by qualifying individuals consistent with the provisions of Title 12 MRSA Ch. 220, §1803, sub-§7

COMMENT DEADLINE: May 18, 2012

Proposed Draft Rule for State Parks and Historic Sites - Hunting, Trapping & Firearms (pdf)

Please send comments via email to melissa.macaluso@maine.gov or
by mail to:
Bureau of Parks & Lands
22 State House Station
Augusta, ME 04333-0022.

Recently Published Reports

Management Planning Underway

Standing and Special Committees

On sale now is the Allagash Wilderness Waterway DVD Northrunner. Come discover the history of the Allagash Wilderness Waterway (from its creation in 1966 to the present) with those who live and work there. Northrunner explores the history of this gem of a park in the middle of a working forest. Learn why this place is so revered – and engenders so much passion.