 September 2025
Public Lands Scientific Advisory meeting.
When I tell people what I do for a living, they often respond with a smile and a “Wow, that sounds so cool – you must be outside all the time!” While the ‘cool’ part is often true, the ‘outside’ part is unfortunately not. Although many of my prior jobs had a strong field component, these days the financial tasks, personnel management, real estate transactions, and other office obligations mean that I’m mostly a desk-bound public servant. For a week or two in August, however, I was determined to escape the office, and my schedule gives some insight into both the ‘cool’ and ‘outside’ parts of my job:
Maine Coastal Resilience Team.
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August 12 & 13: Public Lands Silvicultural Advisory Tour, Western Region (forestry tours of the Kennebec Highlands and Perham Stream Public Lands, and Yankee Woodlot in Skowhegan)
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August 14: Field Meeting with Northern Region State Park Managers, Swan Lake State Park, Swanville
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August 15: Field Meeting of the Maine Coastal Resilience Team at Popham Beach State Park, Phippsburg
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August 19: Forestry Tour of the Telos Public Land Unit with the Allagash Wilderness Waterway Foundation
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August 21: Fundraising Media Event with the Friends of Reid State Park
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August 26: Field Reviews of State Park capital improvement projects at Aroostook, Cobscook Bay, and Lamoine State Parks.
Ecologist Janet McMahon and members of the Allagash Wilderness Waterway Foundation.
New bathroom facility at Cobscook Bay State Park.
Aroostook State Park Manager Scott Thompson and CRA Amy Eskins.
Spending time in the field refreshes my forestry skills, allows me to understand the challenges facing staff, and see and understand complex projects on the ground. Despite the backlog of e-mails that inevitably await me, I never regret the decision to spend time in the woods with staff. In fact, I’ve come up with some new math: in terms of job satisfaction, a day in the field is worth five (or more?) days in the office. Or better yet, field days are priceless.
~ Andy Cutko, Director, Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands
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The State Park Campground Reservations Call Center will close for the season on Friday, September 5, 2025, at 4:00 p.m. EST. Thank you for a wonderful camping season. We hope to see you again next summer!
Internet Reservations will continue through to Saturday, 9/6/2025 until 4:00 p.m. EST at www.CampWithME.com
~ Madelyn Johnson, Campground Reservations Manager
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- Campsites become first-come/first-served on Monday, September 8, 2025.
- Customers can continue to camp until noon on October 15 at select park campgrounds. Standard camping fees apply.
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No camping is permitted at the Parks from October 16 to December 14. This break allows for park maintenance of the campground areas.
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Winter Camping, as primitive tent camping only, is offered December 15 - March 15 at select Maine State Park Campgrounds.
*Off-Season Camping season ends for the year for:
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Aroostook State Park: CLOSED for the season for construction.
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Bradbury Mountain State Park: Campground closes at noon on October 15.
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Camden Hills State Park: Campground closes at noon on October 15.
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Cobscook Bay State Park: CLOSED for the season for construction.
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Lake St. George State Park: Campground closes at noon on October 15.
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Lamoine State Park: Campground closes at noon on October 15.
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Lily Bay State Park: Campground closes at noon on October 15.
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Mount Blue State Park: Campground closes at noon on October 15.
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Peaks-Kenny State Park: Campground closes for the year on Oct. 1.
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Rangeley Lake State Park: Campground closes for the year on Sept. 8 for construction.
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Sebago Lake State Park: Campground closes at noon on October 15.
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Warren Island: Campground closes for the year on September 15.
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Campground rates vary by location.
- Campground Maps
For Call Center & Online Reservations:
- Lily Bay State Park AND Sebago Lake State Park – Monday, February 2, 2026, at 9:00 AM, EST (storm date if Maine State Government is closed – Tuesday, February 3, 2026)
- All parks - Thursday, February 5, 2026, at 9:00 AM, EST (storm date if Maine State Government is closed – Friday, February 6, 2026)
www.CampWithME.com
For Group Campsite and Group Picnic Shelter Reservations – for all parks
- Monday, February 2, 2026, at 9:00 AM, EST (storm date if Maine State Government is closed – Tuesday, February 3, 2026)
Call the park-specific phone numbers for these reservations:
~ Madelyn Johnson, Campground Reservations Manager
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Range Pond State Park - The park's beachside will be closed for all use on Tuesday, September 2nd, through Friday, September 5th, as site preparation and construction of new Bathhouses kick off. Please note: no foot, bike, or other access will be permitted on these days. Feel free to utilize the east side of the park across from the main gate. The park's bathrooms will be closing for the season at the end of Labor Day, Monday, September 1, 2025.
Rangeley Lake State Park - The park will be closing for the season at noon on September 8th for facilities improvements that include upgrading the water and septic systems, parking improvements, and bulkhead replacement for finger docks at the boat launch.
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As we approach Labor Day weekend, we extend this friendly reminder that camping on Tumbledown remains closed, and Rangers continue to patrol and issue summons for illegal camping and fire activity on the mountain. The closure took effect in the summer of 2020 and visitors have appreciated and complied with the change which was instituted to protect the fragile subalpine vegetation and pond. Visitors now benefit from the cleaner, quieter enjoyment of day hiking on Tumbledown.
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Tumbledown remains open for day use and is a wonderful hike.
- Camping in the area is available at nearby Mount Blue State Park and at Rangeley Lake State Park. Reservations are encouraged and may be made online at www.CampWithME.com or call 800-332-1501 from within Maine or 207-624-9950 from outside of Maine. The call center closes for the season at 4:00 PM Sept. 5 and internet reservations close at 4:00 PM on Sept 6. Beginning Monday, Sept. 8 off-season camping begins.
- Taking care of the land is all about respect.
Remember, if you see something questionable on Tumbledown or at any Maine State Park or Public Land, tell us about it by calling (207) 287-3821 or going to our website.
Thank you for helping make hiking Tumbledown and all of our Public Lands a more enjoyable experience!
~ Bill Patterson, BPL Deputy Director
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June 27, 2025 was a memorable date for the Maine Conservation Corps (MCC), as that was the day Sara Knowles accepted a new position within the Bureau of Parks and Lands as the Resource Administrator. This transition is a clear win for the Bureau's larger operational needs. At the same time, given Sara’s outstanding legacy at MCC, her departure left a sizable hole in the Maine Conservation Corps.
Sara came to Maine to become a field team member in May 2006. Receiving a field promotion before that first term of service was up, Sara was elevated to Assistant Team Leader status. The following summer, Sara took on the role of Field Team Leader, and in 2008, Senior Team Leader. By the end of that year, Sara was promoted to Field Team Manager/Volunteer Services Coordinator. In 2011, Sara took a bit of a sabbatical and became a Recreational Trails Program / MCC Program Assistant. She returned full-time to MCC in 2012 to take on the role of Acting Director. From 2013 to 2017, Sara served as the MCC Volunteer Services Coordinator. Finally, in 2017, Sara was hired as the Maine Conservation Corps Director, where she remained until June. I think perhaps that nineteen years with MCC is an individual service record!
Since 2017 Sara has led the MCC team through many triumphs, trials and tribulations; threats of funding cuts, actual funding cuts, a global pandemic, the periodic ordeal of the AmeriCorps application process and the annual cycle of controlled chaos that is the recruitment, onboarding, training, and field placements of upwards of one hundred folks, who, like her, are coming to MCC, to make a difference, to find a purpose, or just to challenge themselves. No matter the issue, no matter the challenge, Sara maintained confident composure and a concerted effort toward resolution. To put it mildly, Sara will be a tough act to follow.
It has been an honor and a pleasure to work with Sara over the years. I’m happy that she is still part of the BPL team, and I look forward to watching her step up to and overcome new challenges. If her post-MCC tenure at BPL is anything like her tenure at MCC, well, we might all want to start testing out how Commissioner Knowles sounds.
If you know Sara or just know MCC, I hope you will join me in offering her your congratulations and best wishes for much success.
~ Douglas S. Beck, Grants & Community Recreation Program Manager
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The 200-acre Talking Brook Public Land includes glacial erratics and ledges, scenic waterfalls, and more than four miles of trails. The parcel serves as a dry land bridge between the marshes of the Intervale and the beaver ponds of two Royal River tributaries, Meadow Brook, and upper Talking Brook. Mixed mature forests including hemlock, pine, and beech provide homes for white tail deer, coyotes, foxes, and pileated woodpeckers.
To learn about the man and his family who loved and stewarded this land before making sure it was available to the public to enjoy in perpetuity, read A Chapel in the Woods by Laura Fralich.
Read Michael Fralich's obituary to learn more about this man who was so much a part of his community and the land.
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Camden Hills State Park, Camden, Maine
- September Weekdays, 2025: Bald Rock Trail Rehabilitation
- September 6, 2025: Megunticook Trail Festival (10k, 20k & 50k)
- September 7, 2025: Full Moon Observation & Yoga on Mt. Battie
- September 10, 2025: Wednesday Movie Night
- September 13, 2025: Girl Scouts Love State Parks-Earn Your Junior Ranger Patch!
- September 14, 2025: Owl Prowl
- September 17, 2025: Wednesday Movie Night
- September 20, 2025: Hike With the Ranger to Ocean Lookout
- September 20, 2025: Bird Hike
- September 21, 2025: Owl Prowl
- September 24, 2025: Wednesday Movie Night
- September 27, 2025: Hike with the Ranger to Ocean Lookout
- September 27, 2025: Bird Hike
- September 28, 2025: Owl Prowl
Range Pond State Park, Poland, Maine
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Girl Scouts visiting Fort Knox on a past Girl Scouts Love State Parks weekend.
Maine State Parks welcomes Girl Scouts of Maine on this special weekend of nationwide celebration because Girl Scouts Love State Parks! We thank you for your appreciation of and service to Maine State Parks.
Girls Scouts, and their family members that accompany them in their car, will receive FREE day entry in exchange for sharing their park experience. Entry to the parks is only for day use and has the same location exceptions as a park pass. Read all the details at our Girl Scouts Love State Parks page.
Be sure to wear your Girl Scout vest or sash so that you will be recognized as a Girl Scout during your visit.
Special Programs are being offered:
At Camden Hills State Park - 280 Belfast Road (Route 1), Camden, Maine 04843 / (207) 236-3109 / Park Guide & Map.
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Junior Ranger Program with Campground Host Julia
Saturday, September 13 - 9:00 AM to Noon - Wildlife and plant ID, Nature journaling and drawing, Fire Safety, hiking and observation, then completion of the Junior Ranger booklet and pledge to be a Junior Ranger! Bring your own water and snacks/lunch.
At Wolfe's Neck Woods State Park - Wolfe Neck Road, Freeport, ME 04032 / (207) 865-4465 / Park Guide & Map.
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Tracking with the Park Manager, Andy Hutchinson
Saturday, September 13 - 10:00 AM to Noon - Learn wildlife tracking skills. Bring your own water and snacks/lunch.
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Leave No Trace with Ranger Tamson
Sunday, September 14 - 10:00 AM to Noon - Learn Leave No Trace skills through fun activities. Bring your own water and snacks/lunch.
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Save these dates for fun for all ages in October! Complete listings will be in our October newsletter.
Saturday, October 18 - Reid State Park - Halloween Event
- Includes games, a Haunted Forest Walk, and a Witches Cauldron of treats.
Saturday, October 25 - Bradbury Mountain State Park - Fall Festival
- Includes games, a Trail O' Treats based on the Leave No Trace Principles, and a campfire with s'mores.
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1130th Company CCC, Camden Hills Camp No. 11002, Camden, Maine.
On an overcast morning in June 1936, 23 young men scrambled into two brown trucks in Southwest Harbor and headed south. By midday, they arrived at a soggy field beside a fir grove on the outskirts of Camden. There, six Army trucks from Fort Williams in Portland were waiting, loaded with supplies and equipment. The men set to work unloading the trucks and “erecting sufficient canvas” to provide temporary shelter. Continue reading.
~ Article by Paul Karoff in The Working Waterfront, Island Institute.
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The Maine Forest Service provided campfire safety games to BPL's eleven mainland State Park campgrounds. The games, tested this summer, were popular with children and adults alike and proved a great way to teach how to safely put out a campfire. Each game includes a metal campfire ring with metal flames (made at the State Prison metal shop in Warren), a metal sign with Smokey Bear’s advice on how to put out a campfire “Drown, Stir, and Feel until the fire is cold and ‘dead out", and a metal water backpack with a hand-pumped hose for spraying water to knock down the "flames."
Our thanks to Kent Nelson, Maine Forest Service Fire Prevention Specialist, for providing the campfire safety games to the State Parks with campgrounds.
~ Jocelyn Hubbell, Interpretive Specialist, BPL
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EAB Games and forest invasives information at the Wabanaki Summer Market at the Shaker Village in New Gloucester, Maine on 8/23/2025.
The Bureau hosted a forest invasives table and games throughout the summer at park events, and most recently, an outreach table and games at the annual Wabanaki Summer Market at the Shaker Village in New Gloucester to raise awareness about invasive insects that are damaging Maine's forests.
The Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) is spreading in Maine, killing ash trees, except Mountain Ash, as it expands its range. The brown ash (also called black ash) is used by Wabanaki for making traditional and fancy baskets. The loss of brown ash has already begun to impact their basketry.
You can help stop the spread of EAB and other forest invasives by buying firewood where you will burn it. Please remember not to bring firewood into Maine or into State Park campgrounds or Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands properties.
Learn how to identify EAB and about the Maine quarantine at the Maine Forest Service EAB webpage.
~ Jocelyn Hubbell, Interpretive Specialist, BPL
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Send article suggestions or newsletter comments to Jocelyn Hubbell, Interpretive Specialist, webmaster, and newsletter editor for the Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands.
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