Discover History & Explore Nature

Maine has a rich cultural and natural heritage. We invite you to explore this heritage on your visits to Maine State Parks and online here. Check out our featured annual events with links to related pages or flyers.

Search just Bureau of Parks and Lands Events //Search all Bureau and Department Events

2018 - A Year of Events at a Glance:

January

• First Day Hikes - January 1, 2018 - Celebrate the New Year in conjunction with the National Association of State Parks.
  
• View the four Maine State Park locations and information.
• Take-it-Outside Winter Family Fun Days begin.
• 27th - Youth Ice Fishing Derby at Lake St.George
• Ski & Snowshoe Trailer begins making the rounds of the parks for free equipment use.
  • January - March ski & snowshoe trailer schedule (PDF 357B).
• Wolfe's Neck Woods State Park offers programs year-round.

February

• A great time to show your love for the State Parks; volunteer or get more involved.
• Take-it-Outside Winter Family Fun Days continue.
• Ski & Snowshoe Trailer continues making rounds of the parks for free equipment use.
  • Ski & Snowshoe Trailer Schedule (PDF 357B)
• Family Campsite Reservations begin for summer camping.
• Group Camping Reservations begin.
• Group Picnic Area & Shelter Reservations begin.
• Great Maine Outdoor Weekend events in collaboration with organizations throughout Maine

March

• Take-it-Outside Winter Family Fun Days continue through beginning of March
• 3rd - Kittery Trading Post Hooked on Fishing Kids' Ice Fishing Derby at Range Pond State Park. Part of Winter Family Fun Days.
• Ski & Snowshoe Trailer Schedule (PDF 357KB)
• Start watching lake and pond ice for Ice Out and report it too!

April

• Feathers over Freeport a birdwatching event for all ages & abilities.
  • TBA
• Wolfe's Neck Woods State Park offers programs year-round.

May

• Passport Program begins mid-May and runs through September.
• Geocaching begins mid-May and runs through early September.
• Colonial Pemaquid programs begin Memorial Day weekend and run through August. View all Colonial Pemaquid events by using the Search Link at the top of this page or visit the Friends of Colonial Pemaquid website.

June - is Great Outdoors Month

• National Trails Day - 6/2/2018 - lace up your boots and hike a trail today!
• Hooked on Fishing event - 6/9/2018 at Damariscotta Lake State Park. Details and flyer. Sponsored by the Midcoast Conservancy. Registration required and at www.midcoastconservancy.org by June 2 or call (207) 389-5150.
• Maine Resident's Day - 6/17/2018 (Father's Day) - View flyer (PDF 310KB). Maine residents will be admitted free of charge at Maine State Parks and Historic Sites 9 a.m. to closing for day-use*. No rain date will be available. *Exceptions: Acadia National Park, Allagash Wilderness Waterway (AWW), Baxter State Park, the Maine Wildlife Park (IF&W), Peacock Beach, Scarborough Beach, Swan Island (IF&W), Penobscot River Corridor (PRC) or the Penobscot Narrows Observatory in Prospect, though admission to Fort Knox State Historic Site will be free that day.
• Surf Fishing programs start on June 22 and run through September 7 at select locations (PDF 533KB).
• Fort McClary State Historic Site begins summer programming.
• Colonial Pemaquid programs run through August. View all Colonial Pemaquid events by using the Search Link at the top of this page or visit the Friends of Colonial Pemaquid website.

July

• Loon Plate Appreciation Day - 7/15/2018 - All vehicles with a Maine Loon License Plate will be admitted free of charge at Maine State Parks and Historic Sites 9 a.m. to closing for day-use*. No rain date will be available. *Exceptions: Acadia National Park, Allagash Wilderness Waterway (AWW), Baxter State Park, the Maine Wildlife Park (IF&W), Peacock Beach, Scarborough Beach, Swan Island (IF&W), Penobscot River Corridor (PRC) or the Penobscot Narrows Observatory in Prospect, though admission to Fort Knox State Historic Site will be free that day. Purchase a Loon/Conservation License Plate from the Bureau of Motor Vehicles online or at your town office. Thank you for your support of State Park and IF&W programs.
• Colonial Pemaquid programs begin mid-May and run through August. View all Colonial Pemaquid events by using the Search Link at the top of this page or visit the Friends of Colonial Pemaquid website.
• 17th Century Encampment at Colonial Pemaquid State Historic Site - TBA- In previous years the day has included reenactors portraying the lives of the English, French and Native people who lived, worked, and fought on these lands. Demonstrations included fish processing, blacksmithing, coopering, rope making, cooking, and provincial militia firearms drills.
• Surf Fishing programs TBA - View the flyer from last year (PDF 198KB).
• Wolfe's Neck Woods State Park offers programs daily at 2:00 p.m. during July and August.

August

• Daily programs continue at Wolfe's Neck Woods State Park; at 2:00 p.m.
• Colonial Pemaquid programs begin mid-May and run through August. View all Colonial Pemaquid events.
• Surf Fishing programs TBA - view flyer from last year (PDF 198KB).

September

• 12 Hours of Bradbury Mt. Bike Race - weekend TBA at Bradbury Mt. State Park.
• Fall Foliage Hikes
• Great Maine Outdoor Weekend in collaboration with organizations throughout Maine.
• Surf Fishing program TBA - View 2017 flyer of locations (PDF 198KB).
• Wolfe's Neck Woods State Park offers weekend programs at 2:00 p.m. during September & October.

October

• Fall Foliage Hikes
• Wolfe's Neck Woods State Park offers weekend programs at 2:00 p.m. during September & October.

November

• Deer hunting season begins. Be aware that hunting is allowed at many of the State Parks. Wear blaze orange.
• Wolfe's Neck Woods State Park offers programs on Sunday at 2:00 p.m. during November.

December

• It's a good time to purchase Annual Park Passes! Buy for an individual or a carload!
• Wolfe's Neck Woods State Park offers programs on Sunday* at 2:00 p.m, weather permitting. (*No programs on 12/24)