For a small park, Lamoine State Park has plenty of fun activities to experience. With 55 acres to explore, you can enjoy hanging out at the beach, swimming in the ocean, or boating out to sea. Being on the east coast, you will likely see some whales and dolphins playing out in the deeper water if you keep an eye out. Pack the camera in the rig so you can get some good snapshots to share on your favorite social media sites.
On land, you can enjoy the 1.3-mile Campground Trail, take a walk on the beach, or relax and enjoy nature at its finest. You can see Mount Desert Island in the distance, and this makes for some stunning sunrises and sunsets. Cadillac Mountain is also viewable on the northern side of the island as well as the many lighthouses dotted along the island’s coastline.
In the off-season, the campgrounds are closed, but you can still try your luck on park grounds by hunting or grabbing a sled (or whatever will slide on the snow) to go sledding—even if the kids are not with you. There is no law saying you have to have kids to enjoy a day of sledding. Bundle up, though, because Maine can get mighty cold in the wintertime.
There is only one way in and out of Lamoine State Park on ME-184 because the park is located on a peninsula sticking out into the ocean. Just head for the east coast. You can take US-1, ME-176 or US-1A to get to ME-184. The park is easy to get to in any vehicle, but you should always be careful when driving a big motorhome or pulling a trailer. It is a good idea to drive slowly no matter what so you can enjoy the scenery.
Lamoine State Park is just 30 miles from Bangor, where you can see a statue of Paul Bunyan as well as the Maine Discovery Museum. If you want to see the Telephone Museum or Birdsacre Stanwood Homestead Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary, stop in at Ellsworth. This small town is known as the gateway to Downeast Maine and is only 10 miles to the northeast of the park.
But one of the main attractions in this area of the United States is Acadia National Park on Mount Desert Island. It is only 15 miles to the south over Bar Harbor Road and is filled with fun activities. You can enjoy horseback riding, whale watching, hiking, live entertainment, boating, and even mountain climbing. No matter what you like to do, if you cannot find it at Lamoine State Park, head on over to the island, and you will be sure to find what you are looking for there.
The campground at Lamoine State Park has 62 campsites with various amenities and RV length limits. Six of the sites can accommodate rigs over 35 feet, five of them can handle up to 35 feet, 22 for rigs up to 30 feet, 17 for rigs up to 25 feet, eight that can fit campers up to 20 feet, and four that are walk-in tent sites. Although there are no utility hookups available, you will have no trouble cooking on the campfire grill that is provided. Your whole gang will fit at the picnic table so you can sit together and eat as a family.
Potable water access spigots are available around the campground, and there are several restrooms with running water as well. The shower house is by the host’s campsite in the middle of the campground. The kids will enjoy the playground that is down the path by the boat ramp and picnic area. Pets are welcome, but you must keep them restrained during your visit. Reservations can be made online or by phone and should be made in advance, especially if you are planning to visit on a holiday or weekend.
Between Labor Day and June, hunting at Lamoine State Park is phenomenal. From white-tailed deer to rabbits and moose to squirrels, no matter what you are hunting for, you will likely be able to find it here. The wildlife is used to the mostly empty park during the off-season, so they are out and about without a care in the world. Make sure you follow the hunting rules and regulations of Maine and Hancock County. Don’t forget to pack your hunting gear in the RV and remember your hunter orange vest or hat for safety.
Sledding is fun no matter how old you are, so don’t be too embarrassed to get out on the snow with everyone else this winter. Lamoine State Park has some fantastic areas where you can sled or snowboard when the weather is right. You won’t even need much snow, although Maine has plenty of that in the winter. Grab a sled, snowboard, or even an inner tube or raft and head down one of the hills along the Campground Trail. Of course, you can take the kids too, but you don’t have to go along with you if you want to sled alone!
Let’s face it, the winter is cold in Maine, so why not try some indoor activities? If you happen to be planning a trip to Lamoine State Park in the off-season, it would be worth your time to plan on stopping at the Downeast Scenic Railroad for a trip on the historic tracks. The railroad is just 10 miles to the northwest in Hancock, Maine. This trip will take you back in time with restored rail cars that travel through some of the most scenic parts of the state. Over the bridges and through the woods, you may not be headed to grandma’s house, but you are headed for some beautiful country, so don't forget to bring a camera with you.
Have you always wanted to visit a desert island? It’s exciting to see such a pristine area in the middle of the ocean. Mount Desert Island is Maine’s largest island and has housed some famous people over the years, such as John Travolta, Martha Stewart, and the Rockefeller family. The island, which is only 15 miles from Lamoine State Park, is home to Acadia National Park, with almost 50,000 square miles of beauty and fun activities. Take a boat or carriage cruise, or mosey along the 27 miles of scenic roads and 45 miles of carriage roads. There’s also 158 miles of trails to enjoy on foot, bike, or horseback.
Although there are not a whole bunch of hiking trails to choose from at Lamoine State Park, the 1.3-mile Lamoine State Park Campground Trail is a great way to get some exercise, walk the furbaby, or take the kids on an adventure. Much of the trail meanders alongside the beach, so you will want to bring a camera for some awesome shots of the ocean and Mount Desert Island. You can learn so much about nature by just walking through the woods, and the treehouse is a fun way to entertain the kids if they get bored. Yes, there is a treehouse, and you won't want to miss out on bringing the kids there.
Bring some beach toys along on your RV vacation to Lamoine State Park because it has miles and miles of beach for you to enjoy with the family. Bring a bucket and shovel to look for clams, build a sandcastle, or jump in the water, which is what you came for anyway, right? Don’t forget the towels and some floaties for the kids to play with. The water is not as cold as it is at other beaches because the water is shallower here. If the warmer water isn't enough, you'll love the view of Mount Desert Island; the scenery will entertain your eyes as you lay on the beach to get some sun.
