Rules for State Parks and Historic Sites

The following rules and regulations are established by the Bureau pursuant to the provisions of the "Maine Revised Statutes Annotated," Title 12, Section 1803, subsection 6, and Section 1883.

1. The use of these areas shall be limited to the purposes for which they are being preserved and to activities determined by the Bureau to be compatible with the intended use of the facility. Activities which endanger persons or property are prohibited. The removal, molesting, injury or damage of anything natural, physical, prehistorical, or historical within these areas is strictly prohibited except as outlined in section 20 regarding hunting and trapping.

2. Feeding or touching wild animals found in the park is prohibited. For health and safety reasons, visitors are required to put away food securely and leave picnic areas and campsites clean.

3. Day-use areas will be open from 9:00 a.m. to sunset daily, unless posted otherwise due to operational constraints.

4. Use of metal detectors at historic sites is prohibited. Metal detectors are allowed in other areas only by written permit obtained at the park.

5. Intoxicating beverages are not permitted. Disorderly conduct is prohibited. This includes, but is not limited to, indecent acts, intoxication or coarse language.

6. Open fires are allowed only in grills or fireplaces provided by the Bureau. No fires are allowed on beaches. No fires shall be left unattended.

7. No pets are allowed on beaches or in the Sebago Lake State Park campground. Pets must be on a leash not exceeding four feet in length and must not be left unattended. Pet owners must immediately clean up any fecal deposits left by their pets. Pet owners may be assigned picnic or campsites in a less congested area of the park.

8. Wheeled vehicles including bicycles shall be parked only in places designated for that purpose, conform to posted traffic regulations, be confined to roads and trails specifically designated for their use and otherwise comply with all applicable State laws. Vehicles parked in unauthorized areas may be towed at the owners expense.

9. The discharging of wastes, including soaps and detergents, shall be prohibited except in a receptacle specifically designated for that purpose.

10. All rubbish shall be placed in containers provided by the Bureau. No rubbish shall be deposited in any type of toilet facility. At those areas where the Bureau has a carry in/carry out policy, users shall be responsible for carrying out all their refuse.

11. Soliciting is prohibited.

12. Campsite vacancies will be filled either by the State Park Campsite Reservation System or on a first come, first served basis. All campers must register in person when arriving at a State park campground.

13. The camping day is from 1:00 p.m. until 11:00 a.m. Camping shall be limited to a cumulative total of fourteen (14) nights from the last Saturday in June through the last Saturday in August.

14. Campsite occupancy will be limited to one camping party that shall be defined as: a) a family consisting of father, mother and any number of their unmarried children; b) a maximum of six (6) individuals, including children; c) one (1) R.V., trailer, camper van, or slide-in camper allowed per campsite; d) not more than two motor vehicles, including the visitor's vehicle.

15. Campsite visitors will be allowed as follows: a) After 9:00 a.m. by paying the day use fee and leaving before 8:00 p.m. Limit one visiting park campsite; the total number of people will not exceed ten, and the limit at Sebago Lake State Park be eight.

16. Quiet in camping areas is required between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m.

17. Trails will be opened and closed by the Bureau as warranted by environmental and safety conditions.

18. The use of chain saws and power equipment is prohibited. Generators may be used between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 7 p.m. as long as they do not bother other visitors.

19. The use of floating devices, face masks or snorkels is prohibited at surf beaches. Scuba diving may be allowed by permit obtained at the park.

20. Hunting and trapping:

1. All hunting and trapping shall take place in accordance with the laws of the State of Maine, the laws and rules of the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, and local ordinances.

2. The possession and/or use of firearms or weapons is prohibited in all areas between May 1 and September 30, except where hunting is allowed during this period. Firearms or weapons may be transported across the Restricted Zone of the Allagash Wilderness Waterway, between May 1 and September 30, provided they are securely and completely enclosed in a cover, fastened in a case, or dismantled in at least two pieces in such a manner that they cannot be fired unless the separate pieces are joined together.

3. Hunting is not permitted at any time at State Historic Sites or Memorials, or at any of the properties listed below: Andrews Beach State Park; that portion of Bradbury Mountain State Park west of State Route 9; Cobscook Bay State Park: Crescent Beach and Kettle Cove State Parks; Damariscotta Lake State Park; Ferry Beach State Park; Holbrook Island Sanctuary State Park; Nickerson Lake State Park; Owls Head Light State Park; that portion of Quoddy Head State Park within 1,000 feet of the lighthouse; Reid State Park; Sebago Lake State Park; Shackford Head State Park; Two Lights State Park; and Wolfe's Neck Woods State Park.

4. Hunting is not permitted between May 1 and September 30 at any of the properties listed below: Restricted Zone of the Allagash Wilderness Waterway; Aroostook State Park; Birch Point Beach State Park; Bradbury Mountain State Park east of Route 9; Camden Hills State Park; Grafton Notch State Park; Mt. Kineo State Park; Lake St. George State Park; Lamoine State Park; Lily Bay State Park; Moose Point State Park; Mount Blue State Park; Moxie Falls State Park; Peacock Beach State Park; Peaks-Kenny State Park; Popham Beach State Park; Quoddy Head State Park, except as provided in paragraph C. immediately above; Range Pond State Park; Rangeley Lake State Park, except that portion posted as part of the Rangeley Lake Game Sanctuary; Roque Bluffs State Park; Swan Lake State Park; Warren Island State Park.

5. The discharging of any weapon is prohibited from or within 300 feet of any picnic area, camping area or campsite, parking area, building, shelter, boat launch site, posted trail or other developed area.

6. Trails which are closed to hunting will be posted to that effect at access points. On trails posted as closed to hunting, loaded weapons are not permitted on the tread way and weapons may not be discharged within 300 feet of the trail.

7. Work areas and areas with significant public use may be temporarily posted as closed to hunting by park management in the interest of public safety.

8. Baiting of wildlife for the purpose of hunting is prohibited

9. Trapping may take place only in accordance with the laws of the State of Maine, the laws and rules of the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife and local ordinances. Trapping in state parks or historic sites in organized townships requires the written permission of the Bureau.

10. Bureau employees or their representatives in the official conduct of their duties and in accordance with bureau policy with prior approval from the bureau are exempt from the above rules.

    In addition to any criminal and civil sanctions imposed by law, the Bureau may evict any person violating these rules or other State laws or regulations.

Penalties: Violation of any of these rules is a Class -E crime. October 1999