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.