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Off Season & Winter Camping
Off season and winter camping is available at select Maine State Parks and the Public Lands. If you are new to winter camping plan to camp at a Maine State Park first. These locations provide the challenge of winter camping and offer a good range of front country and remote locations to test your skills. Even for the experienced it is good to start the season off with an easily accessible location as a test run before heading out to more challenging terrain. Highly experienced winter campers, or those who will be led by a Registered Maine Guide, are ready for the remote settings found on Maine's Public Lands.
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What to Expect at Public Lands Locations
Off Season Camping on Maine's Public Lands
- 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. NOTE - Untreated firewood from outside of Maine has been banned. Please Buy It Where You Burn It!
- Backcountry campsites webpage.
Winter Camping on Maine's Public Lands
- Primitive camping only.
- No amenities or plowed locations.
- Parking is not allowed on plowed road shoulders.
- Winter camping experience and self-sufficiency a must. Consider hiring a Registered Maine Guide.
- Carry in/Carry out - please do not leave any trash.
- FMI: Call the Public Lands Region Office that corresponds to your destination as seen on this map.
- From end of summer camping season through October 15*. Standard camping fees apply.
- *Note: Camping season ends for the year for:
- Aroostook: No camping during the winter of 2024-2025.
- Cobscook Bay: CLOSED as of September 16, 2024. Will reopen summer 2025.
- Peaks-Kenny: Campground closes for year on October 1
- Rangeley Lake: Campground closes for year on October 1
- Warren Island: Campground closes for year on September 15
- View the Campground Maps.
- Primitive tent camping only
- Open December 15 - March 15
- No water, amenities, or cleared campsites or trails.
- Campsites accessed by snowshoe or skis, some walk-in (see park location list below).
- Camp only at designated sites; 7-day limit of stay.
- Fires only allowed at designated fire pits; Maine local wood only— Protect ME forests & parks from harm— Buy It Where You Burn It!
- Carry in/Carry out - please do not leave any trash.
- Fees:
- On-site self-registration required and is available at the entry booth. Camping fees* apply—payable by cash or check at self registration. *No $50 Registration fee.
- Camping for 1-6 people; follow the standard State Park Camping fee shedule.
- Group Camping for 7 to 10 people = $54.50/night.
- $5.45 per person/night for each additional camper beyond 10 (including children).
- Winter camping experience and self-sufficiency a must.
- Park & Trail Conditions available online. Subscribe to text/email alerts.
- Contact the Park directly for more information.
- Bradbury Mt. State Park, Pownal - (207) 688-4712 Conditions
- Walk-in access as well as ski and snowshoe.
- Camden Hills State Park, Camden - (207) 236-0849 Conditions
- Megunticook Cabin (PDF 281KB)—reservation required. Call park.
- Cobscook Bay State Park, CLOSED as of September 16, 2024. Will reopen summer 2025.
- Lake St. George State Park, Liberty - (207) 589-4255 Conditions
- Lily Bay State Park, Greenville - (207) 695-2700 Conditions
- Mt. Blue State Park, Weld - (207) 585-2261 Conditions
- Walk-in access as well as ski and snowshoe.
- Sebago Lake State Park, Casco - (207) 693-6231 Conditions
- Call ahead for availability; this is a popular camping area.
- Walk-in access as well as ski and snowshoe.
- Winter Camping is only allowed in the Group Camping area.