Maine National Parks
Maine's rugged beauty has attracted people for centuries. Come #FindYourPark in Maine.
Maine National Parks
Maine
Table of Contents
4 National Parks in Maine
Other NPS-Affiliated Sites in Maine
Acadia National Park
Acadia National Park is one of the top-ten most visited parks in the United States. It's also one of the oldest, having been established in 1919 as Lafayette National Park. It was changed in 1939 to Acadia, and now protects 47,000 acres of Maine coastline.
Activities at the park included hiking, camping, bird watching, leaf peeping, boating, tide pooling and many others. Visiting during the fall to view the spectacular fall foliage is particularly popular. If you're looking for the best views, a drive up Cadillac Mountain or around the 27-mile Park Loop Road are recommended. A variety of ranger programs are also available.
Appalachian National Scenic Trail - CT, GA, MA, MD, ME, NC, NH, NJ, NY, PA, TN, VA, VT, WV
One of America's most famous trails, the Appalachian National Scenic Trail stretches an incredible 2,180 miles and runs nearly the entire length of the eastern United States from Maine to Georgia. The trail was constructed by private citizens and completed in 1937. Today, the trail is maintained by several federal and state agencies, as well as volunteer groups.
Click here for more information on the Appalachian National Scenic Trail.
Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument
On August 24, 2016, Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument was created and signed into law by President Barack Obama, and it protects over 87,000 acres of wilderness area in Maine. Popular activities include canoeing, kayaking, hiking, bird watching, fishing, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and much more. For the more adventurous, Mt. Katahdin marks the beginning of the Appalachian Trail in the north and ends 2,100 miles later in Georgia. Casual visitors may want to drive the 17-mile Katahdin Loop Road to see the park.
Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument is open all year long, but there are no visitor centers in the park.
Maine Acadian Culture
While not a park per se, the National Park Service recognizes the groups and organizations in Maine's St. John Valley that promote their rich history and culture. The loose association is made up of local townships, museums, cultural societies, and councils working together in this endeavor. You can read more on their website here.
Roosevelt Campobello International Park
Roosevelt Campobello International Park served as the summer home for President Franklin D. Roosevelt and today serves as a memorial to FDR. Although not an official National Park, it was established in 1964 with Prime Minister Lester Pearson and President Lyndon Johnson and is jointly managed by the United States and Canada.
Saint Croix Island International Historic Site
Saint Croix Island was declared a national monument in 1964 and preserves the history of French settlement in the Americas that began here in 1604. Guided tours and ranger interpretive programs are available to learn more about the park and its rich history. A self-guided interpretive trail is also available for visitors to explore. The park is open year round during daylight hours, but has limited services in the winter months.