State park admission free for Maine residents on Father’s Day

State park admission will be free for Maine residents on Father’s Day, Sunday, June 21, announced Gov. Paul LePage on Wednesday. This annual gesture is meant to show appreciation for Maine residents for their continued support of Maine state parks and historic sites, according to a recent press release.

All vehicles bearing Maine license plates on Father’s Day will be granted free admission at all 48 state-owned and operated locations.

BDN photo by Aislinn Sarnacki A bench located on the Big Spruce Trail of Moose Point State Park face the Penobscot Bay on March 17, 2013, and is a perfect spot to rest in the sun.

BDN photo by Aislinn Sarnacki
A bench located on the Big Spruce Trail of Moose Point State Park face the Penobscot Bay on March 17, 2013, and is a perfect spot to rest in the sun.

“I encourage Maine families to visit and enjoy Maine state parks and historic sites this summer and throughout the year,” said Governor Paul R. LePage in a prepared statement. “There is a lot to see and experience, and all visits are affordable every day, especially Father’s Day.”

On April 27, Gov. LePage proclaimed June 2015 as Great Outdoors Month. In the proclamation, LePage referred to the health and educational benefits of outdoor recreation, as well as the economical impact of outdoor recreation nationally and in Maine.

“Governor LePage issued a proclamation designating June as ‘Great Outdoors Month,’ and Maine state parks get you out there,” said Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry Commissioner Walt Whitcomb. “Park staff and volunteers have everything ready for visitors to have a memorable experience this Father’s Day and throughout the whole summer.”

“Each of our state parks and historic sites has programs suited for all ages and cover a wide range of outdoor interests. Many are using our Maine State Park Passport program as an incentive to visit all the parks, and our geocaching feature continues to be very popular,” said Ron Hunt, DACF Bureau of Parks and Lands operations director Ron Hunt.

The details of the free parks admission are:

  • Maine Residents Day, 9 a.m.– closing, Sunday, June 21; all vehicles bearing Maine license plates will be allowed free entrance to Maine state parks and historic sites. No rain date will be available. The open admission does not apply to the AWW, Baxter State Park, the Maine Wildlife Park, Peacock Beach, Scarborough Beach, Swan Island, or the Penobscot Narrows Observatory in Prospect, though admission to Fort Knox State Historic Site will be free that day.

To search the many Maine state parks and historic sites located throughout the state, visit www.parksandlands.com.

Aislinn Sarnacki

About Aislinn Sarnacki

Aislinn is a Bangor Daily News reporter for the Outdoors pages, focusing on outdoor recreation and Maine wildlife. Visit her main blog at actoutwithaislinn.bangordailynews.com.