Code of Maine Rules
01 - DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, CONSERVATION AND FORESTRY
670 - BUREAU OF PARKS AND LANDS
Chapter 1 - RULES FOR STATE PARKS AND HISTORIC SITES
Current through 2024-38, September 18, 2024
The following rules and regulations are established by the Bureau of Parks and Lands (Bureau) pursuant to the provisions of the "Maine Revised Statutes Annotated," Title 12, Section 1803, subsection 6.
1. The use of all State Parks and Historic Sites, as defined in the Title 12 MRSA section 1801 (5), (7), shall be limited to the purposes for which they are being preserved and to activities determined by the Bureau to be compatible with the intended use of the facility. Activities which endanger persons or property are prohibited. The removal, molesting, injury or damage of anything natural, physical, prehistorical, or historical within these areas is strictly prohibited except as outlined in section 21 regarding hunting, trapping and firearms.
2. Feeding or touching wild animals found in the parks or historic sites is prohibited. For health and safety reasons, visitors are required to put away food securely and leave picnic areas and campsites clean.
3. Day use areas will be open from 9:00 a.m. to sunset daily, unless posted otherwise due to operational constraints.
4. Use of metal detectors at historic sites is prohibited. Metal detectors are allowed in other areas only by written permit obtained at the park.
5. Intoxicating beverages are not permitted in historic sites, day use areas, or in common public areas in campgrounds. Disorderly conduct is prohibited. This includes, but is not limited to, indecent acts, intoxication or coarse language.
6. Open fires are allowed only in grills or fireplaces provided by the Bureau. No fires are allowed on beaches. No fires shall be left unattended.
7. No pets are allowed in the Sebago Lake State Park campground. Pets are not allowed on beaches between April! and September 30. Pets must be on a leash under the physical control of the pet handler and must not be left unattended. Pet owners must immediately clean up any fecal deposits left by their pets. Pet owners may be assigned picnic or campsites in a less congested area of the park.
8. Wheeled vehicles including bicycles shall be parked only in places designated for that purpose, conform to posted traffic regulations, be confined to roads and trails specifically designated for their use and otherwise comply with all applicable State laws. Vehicles parked in unauthorized areas may be towed at the vehicle owner's expense.
9. The discharging of wastes, including soaps and detergents, is prohibited except in a receptacle specifically designated for that purpose.
10. All refuse shall be placed in designated containers provided by the Bureau. No refuse shall be deposited in any type of toilet facility. At those areas where the Bureau has a carry in/carry out policy, users shall be responsible for carrying out all their refuse.
11. Soliciting is prohibited.
12. Campsite vacancies will be filled either by the State Park Campsite Reservation System or on a first come, first served basis. All campers must register in person when arriving at a State Park campground.
13.
14. Campsite occupancy and use is limited to:
15. Campsite visitors will be allowed as follows:
16. Quiet in camping areas is required between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m.
17. Trails will be opened and closed by the Bureau as warranted by environmental and safety conditions.
18. The use of chain saws and power equipment is prohibited. Generators may be used between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. as long as they do not bother other visitors.
19. The use of floating devices, face masks or snorkels is prohibited at surf beaches. Scuba diving may be allowed by permit obtained at the park.
20. Hunting, trapping and firearms
Andrews Beach State Park: that portion of Bradbury Mountain State Park west of State Route 9; Cobscook Bay State Park: Crescent Beach and Kettle Cove State Parks; Damariscotta Lake State Park; Ferry Beach State Park; Holbrook Island Sanctuary State Park; Mackworth Island; Nickerson Lake State Park; Owls Head Light State Park; that portion of Quoddy Head State Park within 1,000 feet of the lighthouse; Reid State Park; Sebago Lake State Park; Shackford Head State Park; Two Lights State Park; and Wolfe's Neck Woods State Park.
Aroostook State Park; Birch Point Beach State Park; Bradbury Mountain State Park east of Route 9; Camden Hills State Park; Grafton Notch State Park; Mt. Kineo State Park; Lake St. George State Park; Lamoine State Park; Lily Bay State Park; Moose Point State Park; Mount Blue State Park; Moxie Falls State Park; Peaks-Kenny State Park; Popham Beach State Park; Quoddy Head State Park, Range Pond State Park; Rangeley Lake State Park, except that portion posted as part of the Rangeley Lake Game Sanctuary; Roque Bluffs State Park; Swan Lake State Park; Warren Island State Park.
On trails posted as closed to hunting, loaded weapons are not permitted on the tread way except in accordance with 20b above and weapons may not be discharged within 300 feet of the trail.
21. The launching or retrieving of whitewater craft on the Lower West Branch of the Penobscot River by commercial whitewater outfitters is prohibited except at sites designated by the Bureau of Parks and Lands. For safety reasons access may be allowed at other locations with prior approval of the bureau.
Designated commercial access sites are:
In addition to any criminal and civil sanctions imposed by law, the Bureau may evict any person violating these rules or other State laws or regulations. Bureau employees or their representatives in the official conduct of their duties and in accordance with bureau policy are exempt from the above rules.
Penalties: Violation of any of these rules, that constitutes a criminal offense as designated in Title 12 MRAS §1806 (4) is a Class E crime.
STATUTORY AUTHORITY: 12 M.R.S.A. §606