Maine is a winter wonderland and its Parks and Public Lands offer ample opportunities to ski and snowshoe. If you are new to either activity, check the year-at-glance event calendar at www.maine.gov for the arrival of the Ski and Snowshoe Trailer at a Park near you and get free use of the gear with your park admission. And join the activities on Winter Family Fun Days!

The site’s Park Search Feature lets you mix and match activities with park facilities. Click on the snowshoeing and cross country skiing icons. Also take a look at the multi-use rail trails.

Want a multi-day experience? Find out about camping opportunities:

Backcountry Camping: Scenic campsites in remote settings await those who venture off the beaten path on Maine’s Parks and Public Lands. From wild coastal islands to the mountains and remote lakeshores of interior Maine, we have campsites for you. NOTE — Untreated firewood from outside of Maine has been banned. Buy it where you burn it!

What to expect:

Remote campsites are almost exclusively first-come, first-serve; reservations are not generally possible.

Sites most often have a rustic picnic table, access to a pit toilet, and fire ring. Sites on the Maine Island Trail typically do not have these features.

Traveling with your dog? Pets are an important part of many families. To help protect the nesting sites of endangered piping plovers and the safety of all our visitors, please observe the following pet rules:

1. Beaches

No pets are allowed on State Park beaches between April 1 and September 30.

Pets are welcome on State Park beaches, provided they are leashed (see #2 below), from October 1st through March 31st.

2. Campgrounds

No pets are allowed at Sebago Lake State Park Campground.

All other campgrounds allow pets.

Pet owners may be assigned picnic or campsites in a less congested area of the park.

2. Leashes — Pets must be on a leash under the physcal control of the pet handler and must not be left unattended.

3. Pet Waste — Pick up after your pet immediately and dispose of the pet waste properly.

 Call the park directly for the latest trail conditions and availability of winter camping.

Aroostook State Park — a winter-lover’s paradise where the season is extensive. Trail Conditions or call (207) 768-8341.

Bradbury Mountain State Park offers a variety of trails and snowshoe rentals. Trail Conditions or call (207) 688-4712.

Camden Hills State Park offers great trails and ocean views.

Cobscook Bay State Park offers groomed trails in a beautiful Downeast setting.

Mount Blue State Park offers groomed trails in addition to un-groomed trails. The warming hut and ice skating near the park headquarters on Center Hill Road make this a great park to spend a winters day. Trail Conditions or call (207) 585-2261.

Sebago Lake State Park offers groomed & ungroomed easy to moderate trails that meander through a variety of forest types and woodland cover as well as stretch along the Songo River and a portion of the north shore of Sebago Lake. Trail Conditions or call (207) 693-6231.

Vaughan Woods State Park beautiful trails through a stately hemlock forest. No Camping.

Wolfe’s Neck Woods State Park easy trails make this a great spot for beginners and as well as those that prefer level terrain. No camping.

Beach walking on sand beaches: Winter is a great time to beach walk in the intertidal area.

Additional Trail Resources:

Maine Trail Finder maps and a searchable database of trails throughout Maine at www.mainetrailfinder.com.

Cross Country Skiing in Maine a link to Maine Office of Tourism pages at www.visitmaine.com.

Snowshoeing in Maine a link to the Maine Office of Tourism pages.

Maine Appalachian Trail Club includes online maps and resources at www.matc.org.

Trail Tips:

First Aid basic supplies include band aids, moleskin, 4×4 pads and first aid tape. Check with your local American Red Cross at www.redcross.org for first aid kit tips and classes.

Carry plenty of water, sun screen and a snack. Dress in layers for warmth plus protection from wind and water.

Information courtesy of www.maine.gov.