State Park campers increase significantly in 2022

AUGUSTA – Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry's Bureau of Parks and Lands Director Andy Cutko has announced a record was set during 2022 for camping nights in state parks.

Reservations for the 2023 camping season at
Sebago Lake State Park in Casco opens at 9 a.m.
Feb. 1 online at www.CampWithME.com or
by calling 800-332-1501. FILE PHOTO 

During 2022, Maine State Park campgrounds recorded over 319,000 visitor nights. 2022 was BPL's second-highest ranking year for total state park visitation, with more than 3.28 million people spending time at the bureau's 48 parks and historic sites. In 2021, Maine State Parks welcomed more than 3.3 million visitors and more than 315,000 campers.

"The credit for this record-breaking growth goes to every staff member in our Maine State Parks system. Their dedication to caring for our parks and the people who choose to recreate with us is unmatched," said DACF Commissioner Amanda Beal. "Whenever I visit a Maine State Park, I always discover something new that reminds me how amazing these places are and the impact that spending time in nature can have on people."

Cutko said the 2022 increase shows how much people love Maine’s state parks. "Many of us have been interested to see whether the pandemic spike in outdoor activity would be sustained," Cufko said. "Our 2022 statistics show that Maine people and our visitors continue to love our State Parks."

For the coming year, Cufko advises that the state will begin accepting reservations for Lily Bay and Sebago Lake State Parks next month.

He said at 9 a.m. Feb. 1, the Maine State Park campground reservations center opens to accept online and phone reservations for Lily Bay and Sebago Lake State Parks.

Camping reservations may also be made online at www.CampWithME.com or reach the camping reservation call center by calling 800-332-1501 from a Maine 207 area code; or 207-624-9950. Seasonal reservation call center hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday to Friday, excluding holidays.

Group Campsite and Picnic Shelter Reservations are by phone only and begin Feb. 1, 2023. <