Ashland State Park
The idea of getting back to nature can sound like a clichéd phrase, but for a true outdoor enthusiast, it means finding the right place to enjoy a myriad of outdoor activities, which can be tough. State parks can be a good choice, and Ashland State Park in Massachusetts has many outdoor options for outdoor fans. Located in eastern Massachusetts, west of Boston, this state park offers 470 acres for fun and relaxation, including the 157 acre Ashland Reservoir.
Visitors to Ashland State Park who are ready for a myriad of activities will not be disappointed. The park offers a broad spectrum of activities for outdoor enthusiasts during all times of the year:
Sebago Lake State Park
Opened to the public in 1938, Sebago Lake State Park as one of five original state parks is located about 23 miles (37 km) northwest of Portland in Maine’s Lakes Region at the foothills of the White Mountains and within the towns of Naples and Casco. The 1400 square mile forested park also provides beaches and the Sebago Lake State Park campground as its southern boundary on Maine’s deepest and second largest lake. Sebago Lake covers 28,771 acres and reaches a depth of an amazing 316 feet. In addition, it was an early home for landlocked salmon, Salmo, or sebago.
Besides sandy beaches, the park’s woodlands, ponds, bogs, and a long meandering river provide diverse natural habitats for a variety of plant and animal species. The Songo River splits Sebago Lake State Park roughly in two as it flows across a broad, flat valley as it drains Brandy Pond and Long Lake in Naples to the north into Sebago Lake.
Open year round, Sebago Lake State Park summer activities include swimming, sport fishing, and an array of water sports. Miles of marked hiking and biking trails are found in and often extend beyond the park. Even just bicycling on the park roads, visitors can enjoy much of the park. Winter activities include cross-country skiing, sledding, snowshoeing, ice-skating, ice fishing, and others.
• Songo River Trail begins in Naples, ME and provides over five miles of trails for cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and snowmobiling. Solitude can be found midweek among the evergreens but on weekends the park is popular (though not even close to its summer use), with parking areas at the trail heads as much as two-thirds full. Surface quality is unpacked, but “groomed” by snow mobilers.
• Douglas Mountain in Sebago, ME will reward the hiker on foot or snowshoes with views that include the White Mountains to the north and west, Pleasant Mountain ski runs, and even the ocean on a clear winter’s day. West of Sebago Lake, tiny 1,146-foot Douglas Mountain gives this for minimal effort. In fact, for those new to snowshoes, young families, or simply those who sleep late this trail is for you. In under a half hour, you can be at the peak’s stone tower enjoying the vistas.
• Moose Country Challenge Road Biking Route explores the terrain between Sebago Lake and the White Mountains extending well beyond Sebago Lake State Park to Moose Pond Park and beyond. Many enthusiasts recommend this ride for a sunny day in mid-March as skiers get in an end of season run on Pleasant Mountain or ice-fishermen drag their shelters off Moose Pond. This ride is ideal for cyclists looking for an alpine experience with just a couple of short, steep climbs.
Sebago Lake State Park namesake attraction is probably the most popular family park destination for the summer sun, beach, swimming, and water sports. The day-use area beach for Sebago Lake State Park is on the delta formed by the Songo River while the cooling shade of the day-use park area is just steps away. There are also individual and group picnicking areas and separate toilet facilities.
• For the angler, limited fishing is possible from shore and small boats and canoes are safe in sheltered areas near shore. However, Sebago is a large open lake requiring a 16′ or larger boat in open water. The park has two boat ramps. Species include lake and brook trout, large mouth and small mouth bass, landlocked salmon, occasional brown, and usual white fish lake species. Fishing is a popular “industry” in the Sebago region with local accommodations, marinas, and tackle shops abound.
• Sebago Lake State Park has a 250-site campground that is a popular destination for family vacationers. Open from May 1 to October 15 its many facilities besides the “public” boat launches, bathrooms and picnic areas include showers, a playground, food service, group picnic shelter, playground, RV dumping station, RV hookup (electric and water). Campsites also feature tables and fireplaces. Split by the river, the campground consists of two main areas referred to as Naples Beach and Witch Cove. Sebago Lake State Park Campground has a family oriented program that includes guided nature hikes, canoe trips, and movies shown in the park amphitheater on Wednesdays and Saturdays.
Rangeley Lake State Park
The Rangeley Lake State Park is located in Maine at South Shore Road. The park includes around 896 acres for visitors to enjoy the wonders of nature, as well as participate in many recreational activities that are located throughout the park. However, probably the most notable feature of Rangeley Lake State Park is the fishing. Two of the most common catches that fishers find in the park are salmon and brook trout. Most of those who come to the area to fish, often use boats or canoes to go out on the water to get the best fishing experience. However, there are those who choose to fish from the shores. Either option is fun for the entire family, especially those that love to fish. Keep in mind that live bait is prohibited from being used in the park, dead bait and worms are acceptable though. Those who participate in fishing have the option to release their fish or keep them. The park will have information on whether they are trying to control the fish population during the time that you visit, which will dictate whether you get to keep the fish or not. In addition, there are numerous boat ramps that you can unload your boat into the water. These are very big and offer a fair amount of room in order to get the trailer in and unloaded, so there are no worries in that department.
For those that would rather spend their time doing some camping, there are around fifty campsites located throughout the park. They are equipped with modern restrooms, as well as having a recycling area within the campground, as all campers are encouraged to be environmentally friendly. The camper can stay within the camp site for at least fourteen days, before having to vacate in order to allow others to enjoy their experience. These campsites are first come, first serve, as there are no reservations required to stay when visiting Rangeley Lake State Park, there are fees associated with using the camping areas that people can find out by visiting the website for the state park. At the camp sites there are also playgrounds for the children to enjoy, hiking trails and an ample amount of firewood for the camper to utilize.
Mount Blue State Park
Mount Blue State Park can be found in Franklin County in the western portion of the state of Maine. It is one of the largest parks in Maine, and it covers over 5,000 acres. The state of Maine owns the park, but operations are controlled by the Department of Conservation. It is located near the Tumbledown Mountain, Mount Blue, and the Little Jackson Mountains. Additionally, it is situated on Webb Lake. It is also open to visitors year-round.
Camping
Lily Bay State Park
Lily Bay State Park offers 925 acres of forested land, shoreline and recreation space in central Maine.
At 40 miles long, Moosehead Lake is the largest lake in New England. The lake is the big feature in the park. Fish for landlocked salmon, trout and togue in the glacier-dug deep, cool water. Pitch a tent on the shore and enjoy swimming through the summer months or ice fishing through the winter. There is a boat launch for powered watercraft, so visitors can water ski, power boat and ski do across Moosehead Lake’s 117 square miles of water. Canoeing is popular amongst campers.