State, Local, and National Parks
Acadia National Park
Acadia National Park, primarily located on Mount Desert Island, is a 47,000-acre recreation area marked by its rocky coastline and glacier-scoured granite peaks. Locate just 55 miles from the University of Maine, this must see Maine destination is well worth a visit.
Park Attractions:
- Cadillac Mountain
- Thunder Hole
- Jordan Pond House
- The Bubbles/Bubble Pond
- Sand Beach
Park Activities:
- Hiking
- Wildlife viewing
- Biking
- Guided tours
Baxter State Park
Baxter State Park is located in the North Maine Woods and contains 209,644 acres of woods, streams, rivers, and peaks, including Mount Katahdin, the start of the Appalachian Trail. Founded in 1930 by Maine Governor, Percival Baxter, the park boasts 215 miles of hiking trails ranging in difficulty.
Park Attractions:
- Mount Katahdin
- 200,000+ acres of wilderness to explore
Park Activities:
- Hiking
- Wildlife viewing
- Fishing
- Biking
- Canoe/Kayak
Fort Knox State Park / Penobscot Narrows Observatory
Fort Knox is a State Historic Site located on the western bank of the Penobscot River in Prospect. The fort is one of the best preserved examples of coastal defense fortifications constructed in the mid-1800s and is the first fort named after Major General Henry Knox. The Penobscot Narrows Bridge opened to traffic December 30, 2006 and the Observatory opened on May 19, 2007. It took 3 years and 1 month to build and cost $85 million.
Park Attractions:
- Historic Fort Knox
- Penobscot Narrows Bridge & Observatory
- Picnic tables & grills
- Interpretive panels describing the history and natural wildlife of the area
Did you know:
- The Penobscot Narrows Bridge and Observatory is larger than the Statue of Liberty?
- The observatory, the tallest public bridge observatory in the world, provide you with 360 degree views of the Penobscot valley?
- On a clear day, you can see Mt. Katahdin from the Observatory?
Orono Bog Boardwalk
The Orono Bog Boardwalk is a one-mile boardwalk loop begins at the forested wetland edge in the Bangor City Forest, crosses into Orono, and provides individuals the opportunity to experience the views of a Maine bog.