Away from the crowds and congestion of Acadia National Park, state parks and public lands in abundance in Downeast Maine offer spectacular day trips or longer stays out in nature.

Tucked in northern Maine, this scenic spot offers swimming, trout fishing, hiking, and year-round adventures by a peaceful lake and forested trails.

Entry fees vary by state park, but Maine residents 65 and older enter for free, and children 5 to 11 years old are charged $1, while children under 5 are free.