Maine Day Hikes

Maine offers a plethora of opportunities to enjoy the great outdoors. Here’s how to get into the wilderness without all the gear. A day hike to Vacationland will convince you to help protect Maine’s resources.

This post was sponsored by the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

What does Maine have to offer the day hiker?

To say that Maine has a hike appropriate for everyone is an understatement. When most people think of hiking Maine, Acadia National Park jumps to mind. Don’t get me wrong, it is amazing. What many may overlook however, is that if you want to take a day hike in Maine, all you might need to do is pull over.

Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife

Hunters and Fishermen are familiar with the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife[  (MDIFW), but MDIFW supports more than hunting and fishing. For anyone who goes outside, MDIFW is an extensive agency and touches all of Maine from state parks, to lakes and streams, to the birds and deer in your backyard.

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From the Easternmost Point in the United States to the Northern Terminus of the Appalachian Trail, Maine has a lot to offer for the outdoor adventurer. The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife preserves, protects, and enhances the inland fisheries and wildlife resources of the state. In addition to its conservation duties, MDIFW is also responsible for enabling and promoting the safe enjoyment of Maine’s outdoors — from whitewater rafting, kayaking, and canoeing to hiking, biking, birdwatching, and camping.

Love Maine? Take Pictures? You could Win!

In order to raise awareness, the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife will be hosting a monthly photo contest from August through November 2019. Mainers are encouraged to share their photos on Instagram of how they enjoy Maine’s outdoors, tag @mefishwildlife and include the #AllinfortheMaineOutdoors hashtag to be entered for a chance to win a MDIFW prize pack valued at over $250!

So How Accessible is the Maine Outdoors?

There is a tendency for people to not think of their own backyard as a place that is magical. This summer I have tried to break that spell. I have had a lot of long car rides, visiting family and friends out of state, and have had a predilection to treat the 2-3 hours of my drive that are in Maine as the final stretch to overcome. Then I stopped. I decided that I was going to follow that sign that promised a trailhead, and stretch my legs. That was when I realized that in Maine there are countless day hikes available right off of the highway.

Bradbury Mountain State Park

Bradbury Mountain State Park in Pownal, ME is one of the original 5 State parks that Maine has to offer. If you are driving up 295 near Freeport it is not much more than 5 minutes from the highway.

There are a variety of hiking trails available here, and while most are short, you can easily tie a few together for a good days hiking. And, if you just need to stretch your legs, it is a quick and relatively easy day hike to this Maine summit. This is a great park to hike in with small children. The terrain is not terribly steep, and the parking lot with bathrooms and water is never far away.

Androscoggin Swing Bridge and River Walk

I must have drove by the entrance to this trail over 100 times before pulling over to check it out. There are only 3 parking spaces at the entrance on US 1, but I have never been unable to get one. The view of the river from the bridge is absolutely spectacular. Once across, you find a paved river walk in one direction, and a small trail in the other. Following the trail is my preference. It leads you to a small rocky peninsula, and when the water is low, and island as well. This is a perfect place for the kids to scramble on the rocks, and play by the water. Do not swim here, the currents are quite strong.

The trail continues down the river a ways from this rocky spit, and it is a great place to get kids excited about exploring the natural world just out of view.

Camden Hills State Park

I first came to Maine to work on a boat in Camden Harbor. And if I wasn’t working, I was going to be hiking. I quickly found the Front Trail on Mount Battie. It is everything that you could be looking for in a quick hike. It begins at the very end of Megunticook Street in Camden, about 1/2 mile from the Harbor parking lot on Route 1 in downtown Camden.

The Maiden’s Cliff Trail across route 52 is another favorite day hike of mine. Only about 5 minutes from Route 1, this trail feels much more remote. This is one I will typically bring the dogs on during the spring and fall. Foot traffic is generally much lighter than on Mount Battie, and you can have a pretty peaceful walk. The trail is not terribly steep in any area, and the views of the lake from the lookout are spectacular. I have been up this trail in every month of the year, and it still surprises me with wildlife and views.

Lake Megunticook

Now that you’ve seen the lake from above, you should think about getting in it. There are public and private beaches all around the edges of Lake Megunticook. Barrett’s Cove is a favorite of my kids. There is a large roped off beach, and plenty of parking nearby so that you can launch a couple kayaks.

If you enjoyed these travel tips, or any other post on Real Life with Dad,  be sure to follow us on FaceBook, Twitter and Instagram  @RealLifeWithDad for our next adventure!

And don’t forget to enter to win a MDIFW prize pack valued at over $250! Tag @mefishwildlife and include the #AllinfortheMaineOutdoors hashtag to be entered!