Looking for the Best? These Are Maine’s Most Visited State Parks

We are officially in the heart of tourism season.

However, that doesn’t stop us Mainers from enjoying everything this beautiful state has to offer. That includes hiking, camping, swimming, fishing, and paddling in some of our favorite state parks.

Maine has plenty to choose from—42 state parks, to be exact. That number also includes the state's historic sites. And to say these parks attract a lot of visitors would be quite an understatement.

How Popular are Maine's State Parks?

In 2024, Maine’s state parks saw over 3.1 million visitors come through the gates. That’s a staggering number—more than twice the population of the state. But it makes sense when we consider it's a combination of both tourists and us locals.

It’s impossible to ignore the importance of Maine’s state park system to both out-of-state and in-state tourism. While Portland’s food scene and Acadia National Park tend to steal most of the spotlight, the state parks deserve plenty of love as well.

Maine’s state parks stretch from as far south as York County, through the western foothills near New Hampshire, all the way east to Quoddy Head, and as far north as the state allows. They also cover a considerable amount of land.

What are the Busiest Maine State Parks?

I decided to compile a list of the 10 largest state parks in Maine based on acreage. This list includes some of the most well-known parks, mostly located in the southern part of the state and the Midcoast region.

You can explore the list below, and check out more information about each park here. The Maine Bureau of Parks and Public Lands offers a fun little guide for everyone to enjoy.

READ MORE: Baxter's Knife Edge Trail Named Maine’s Most Breathtaking Hike

One major omission: Baxter State Park is not included in this list. That’s because Baxter is not technically run by the state, but by the Baxter State Park Authority, which operates independently of the Maine Bureau of Parks and Public Lands.