Take it Outside this Winter with Maine State Parks

• First Day Hikes on January 1st - an annual tradition.
• Take it Outside! Winter Family Fun Days (January through March)

First Day Hikes - January 1, 2019

Mark your calendar now to ring in the New Year with select State Parks on New Year's Day.  This annual event, in partnership with the National Association of America's State Parks, inspired nearly 55,000 people across the country last year to collectively walk over 133,000 miles on the guided hikes, that included snowshoeing and cross-country skiing, on New Year's Day. Opportunities at Maine State parks are listed below.

Bradbury Mountain State Park
Date: January 1, 2019
Time: 10:00 a.m.
Location: 528 Hallowell Road, Pownal, Maine; Meet at the upper parking lot.
Description: Join us for a Ranger guided hike to the summit, along the way learn about the history of the park, species identification and tracking. We will be hiking to the summit on the Northern Loop Trail, and return to the base down Terrace Trail, where hike participants will be able to get warmed with a nice cup of Hot Cocoa. Wear warm clothes and sturdy footwear. Meet at the upper parking lot. Plan on one to two hours; Snow shoe rentals available.
Fee: Free park admission for First Day Hike participants!
For more information please contact the park at (207) 688-4712.

Holbrook Island Sanctuary
Date: January 1, 2019
Time: 1:00 - 3:00 p.m.
Location: 172 Indian Bar Road on Cape Rosier, Brooksville, Maine; Meet at the Backshore Trail parking area.
Description: Join us for a leisurely mile and a half walk, for all ages, to enjoy the peacefulness of the coast of Maine. We will meet at the Backshore Trail parking area and walk old roads out to the shoreline trail with views of Holbrook and Islesboro Islands. We will break at Goose Falls (a reversing tidal waterfall) and return by Back Road. Snacks and hot drinks provided. Please bring appropriate footwear and clothing for the conditions. Leashed pets are welcome.
Fee: Free; no admission charged.
For more information please contact the park at (207) 326-4012.

Lake St. George State Park
Date: January 1, 2019
Time: 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Location: 278 Belfast Augusta Road (Maine Route3), Liberty, Maine; Meet at the first Day Use parking lot past the entry booth.
Description: Join us for a leisurely 1-mile hike through the day use area and campground or a 3-mile hike across the lake around Hawaii 2 Island, dependent on ice conditions. Meet at the first Day Use parking lot past the entry booth. Please bring your snowshoes, creepers, skis and or hiking boots, and dress for the weather. A warming hut will be located inside the barn. Snacks and hot beverages will be provided. Leashed dogs are welcome. This is a beginner level hike.
Fee: Free park admission for First Day Hike participants!
For more information please contact the park at (207) 589-4255.

Lily Bay State Park
Date: January 1, 2019
Time: 12:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Location: State Park Road, Beaver Cove, Greenville (Lat 45.568853, Lon -69.538450); Meet at the entry booth parking lot (Rte. 15/6 to Lily Bay Rd. to State Park Road).
Description: Join us for a leisurely 3-mile hike near Moosehead Lake to investigate the wonders of the season. There will also be a 1-mile hike for beginners. Snacks and hot drinks provided at end of hike along with a warm bonfire. Wear warm clothes and boots or snowshoes. Meet at the entry booth parking lot (Rte. 15/6 to Lily Bay Rd. to State Park Rd.) Fee: Free park admission for First Day Hike participants!
For more information please contact the park at (207) 695-2700.

Sebago Lake State Park
Date: January 1, 2019
Time: 10:00 a.m.
Location: Meet at the park's boat launch parking lot.
Description: Join us for a 1.5 mile hike, for all ages, along the shore and through the woods at Sebago Lake.
Fee: Free park admission for First Day Hike participants!
For more information please contact the park at (207) 693-6231

Wolfe's Neck Woods State Park
Date: January 1, 2019
Time: 2:00 p.m.
Location: 426 Wolf Neck Road, Freeport, Maine; Meet at the picnic shelter by the second parking lot.
Description: Join us for a leisurely 0.3 mile guided walk to enjoy 'Winter in the Woods' and learn how plants and animals survive the cold winter months. Wear warm clothes and sturdy footwear. Meet at the picnic shelter by the second parking lot. Plan on one hour; Pets are welcome but must be on a leash at all times. Hot Cocoa and Cookies will be provided after the hike.
Fee: Free park admission for First Day Hike participants!
For more information please contact the park at (207) 865-4465.

Use the searchable Web Calendar.

Take It Outside! Winter Family Fun Days

Lake St. George State Park - Youth Ice Fishing Derby
Date: Saturday, January 26, 2019
Time: 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Description: Come join us and learn how to fish! All equipment and bait provided! Pre-register in the big white barn before heading out on the ice. The Maine State Parks Ski and Snowshoe Trailer will be on site with for cross-country skis, snowshoes, ice skates and sleds, loaned for free during the event. There will be an igloo and HOBO Cookout demo, plus a Fat Bike Rodeo Demo provided by the Maine Coast Conservancy. Hot Cocoa and lunch will be served while supplies last. A warming hut will be available to participants to take breaks and get toasty warm between activities.
Location: 278 Belfast-Augusta Rd. (Maine Route 3), Liberty, ME
Fee: $1.50 for adults and youth ages 12-64. All others are free.
FMI: call the park at (207) 589-4255.
View as calendar listing with attached flyer.

Holbrook Island Sanctuary
Date: Saturday, February 2, 2019
Time: 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Description: Cross country skiing, snowshoeing, sliding (ski or walk in) along with warm refreshments and a fire. Ski & Snowshoe Trailer will be on site for free equipment loans. Holbrook Island Sanctuary admission and event is free.
Location: 172 Indian Bar Road, Brooksville, Maine just south of Bucksport
Fee: Holbrook Island Sanctuary admission and event is free.
FMI: call the park at (207) 326-4012.
View as calendar listing with attached flyer.

Mount Blue State Park
Date: Saturday, February 2, 2019
Time: 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Description: Come join us for cross-country skiing, sliding, snowshoeing, ice skating, tote sled rides, hayrides, nature walks, winter camping demo, fire making workshop, outdoor exhibits & activities plus Maine Adaptive Sports & Recreation Equipment Demonstrations! Warming hut and lunch is provided, while the food lasts! Ski and snowshoe trailer will be on site for free equipment loans.
Location: Follow route 156 from Wilton or Route 142 from Dixfield or Phillips. To reach the Mount Blue trailhead and Center Hill Picnic area, follow the Center Road from Weld Village.
Fee: Special reduced park entry fee $1.50 for ages 12-64; all others are free.
FMI: call the park at (207) 585-2261.
View as calendar page with attached flyer.

Cobscook Bay State Park
Date: Saturday, February 9, 2019
Time: 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Description: Come join us at Cobscook Bay State Park for our Winter Family Fun Day! The Ski and Snowshoe Trailer will be on site for **free equipment loans!** Cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, ice skating, sliding, tote sled rides, horse drawn sleigh, are just a few of the activities that you can participate in. Hot lunch and a warming station will be provided!
Location: Take U.S. Route 1 to Edmunds and look for park signs marking the turnoff onto South Edmunds Road. The main park entrance is on the right 0.5 miles from the turnoff.
Fee: $1.50 for adults and youth ages 12-64; all others are free.
FMI: call the park at (207) 726-4412.
View as calendar listing with attached flyer.

Aroostook State Park
Date: Saturday, February 23, 2019
Time: 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Description: Come join us for cross-country skiing, sliding, snowshoeing, tote sled rides and guided nature walks. The ski and snowshoe trailer will be on site for **Free Equipment Loans.** Hot dog lunch provided. Visit the warming hut for coffee and cocoa.
Location: Echo Lake, west off U.S. Route 1, south of Presque Isle.
Fee: $1.50 for ages 12-64; all others are free.
FMI: call the park at (207) 768-8341.
View as calendar page with attached flyer.

Bradbury Mt. State Park
Date: Saturday, February 23, 2019
Time: 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Description: Join us for our Annual Winter Family Fun Day. The ski and snowshoe trailer will be on site for free snowshoe and cross country ski rentals. Activity line-up includes: Milly's Skillet Food Truck will provide hot food from (11 pm-3pm), Mountain Safety Research - Snowshoes Demonstration (9am-3pm), LL Bean - Fat Bike Demonstration (9am-3pm) , Kids Snowshoe Story Trail (9am-3pm) (self-guided story walk), Winter Camping display in the field (9am-3pm), Kids sliding hill (9am-3pm) Fastest Sliding Hill in the area! Location: Tryon Fields off Lawrence Road, Guided Snowshoe Hikes (10 am & 2pm) about an hour long each. Kids snowshoe race (1 pm) Meet in the field, and an Alpine Touring race begins at 2 pm.
Location: Echo Lake, west off U.S. Route 1, south of Presque Isle.
Fee: All events are free with paid park admission.
FMI: call the park at (207) 688-4712.
View as calendar listing with attached flyer.

Range Pond State Park - Hooked on Fishing Kids' Derby
Date: Saturday, March 2, 2019
Time: 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Description: This introduction to ice fishing, especially organized for children not familiar with and desiring to experience the basics of ice fishing is brought to you by the Kittery Trading Post and Inland Fisheries and Wildlife. There is no pre-registration for the kids, but please print out the release form (PDF 276KB) and fill out and bring with you the day of the event or pick one up at the event. The first 250 children ages 12 and under arriving before 11 AM will receive a free ice fishing trap!
Fee: $1.50 for ages 12-64; all others are free.

Lily Bay State Park
Date: Saturday, March 23, 2019
Time: 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Description: Come join us for a day jam-packed with activities for the entire family. Ice Fishing Demo-Wildlife Exhibit-Snowmobile Tote Rides-Winter Camping Demo-Build a Bird House-Enjoy a Bonfire-Scavenger Hunt-Door Prizes & More! Our Ski and Snowshoe Trailer will be on site with **Free Equipment Loans** of cross-country skis, snowshoes, ice skates, snow tubes and sleds. *Hungry? We've got that covered too. Burgers, hot dogs, coffee, cocoa, while supplies last.
Location: 9 miles north of Greenville on the east shore of Moosehead Lake. From Routes 15/6 in the center of Greenville, head north 9 miles on the Lily Bay Road that follows Moosehead Lake's east shore to North State Park Road (on left).
Fee:$1.50 for ages 12-64; all others are free.
FMI: Call the park at (207) 695-2700.
View as calendar listing with attached flyer.