ADA - Visitor Accessibility

Guide to accessibility in Maine State Parks and Historic Sites - (PDF 279KB)

Individual Support Pass

Maine State Parks are pleased to make available Individual Support Passes to individuals with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities who require accompanied support staff while visiting Maine State Parks and Historic Sites. These passes are to be used as a per-person entrance fee waiver for the intended purpose of allowing the individual’s certified professional support(s) or natural support(s) to visit a Maine state park or historic site free of charge while providing necessary support to the pass recipient. Download the Individual Support Pass Program Application (Docx. 52KB).

Welcome to Maine's Accessible Outdoors!

Maine is a place everyone can enjoy. The Bureau of Parks and Lands welcomes all visitors to Maine's natural and cultural wonders. The Bureau is committed to making our state parks, historic sites and other public facilities accessible to people with disabilities and people with special needs.

Each state park or historic site in Maine is unique. Many park features are accessible to visitors with varying needs and abilities. In some parks, however, visitors may need the assistance of a member of their party to access certain features. Other parks have natural elements, such as steep trails or rocky beaches, that may be difficult for some people to use. In addition, weather and other conditions at parks and historic sites change often. The Bureau of Parks and Lands encourages visitors to contact parks and historic sites directly to discuss their individual needs and abilities with experienced staff.

Access Features

Maine's state parks and historic sites offer a number of accommodations for people with disabilities and people with special needs. Among the access features are:

• Reserved parking spaces
  
• Wheelchair ramps
  
• Beach wheelchairs
  
• Hardened surfaces on trails and walkways
  
• Accessible restrooms
  
• Roll-in showers
  
• Benches in showers and changing rooms
  
• TTY
• Easy-to-reach campsites

The Bureau of Parks and Lands is continuously improving state parks and historic sites to provide better access for everyone. Contact parks and historic sites directly to find out more about the access features at specific locations.

• Service animals are welcome at state parks and historic sites in Maine.

A Guide to Accessibility

The Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands provides general guidance for people with disabilities and people with special needs on the ease of access to state parks, historic sites, and other facilities. (The link to this guide is at the top of this page.)

Each park or historic site is rated for overall ease of access. Ratings are:

	Good access: Most features of the area are accessible
	Limited access: Some features are accessible; other features may require assistance
	No access: No features are accessible

In addition, the Bureau offers guidelines on the accessibility of specific features and amenities at parks and historic sites, such as parking, rest rooms, campsites, and beaches. These guidelines are designed primarily for people with mobility impairments.

The definitions for access features are:
	Accessible: Meets all standards of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
	Generally Accessible: Meets most ADA standards and has few barriers. Some visitors with disabilities may need some assistance.
	Accessible with Assistance: Meets some ADA standards and has some barriers. Many visitors with disabilities will require assistance.
	Somewhat Accessible: Meets few ADA standards and has significant barriers. Most visitors with disabilities will need assistance.
	Not accessible: Meets no ADA standards and has major barriers. Most people with disabilities, even with assistance, will be unable to access.