Summary
It covers an area of 925 acres and is situated on the eastern shore of Moosehead Lake. There are many reasons to visit the park, including its stunning natural beauty, abundance of wildlife, and recreational opportunities.
One of the main attractions at Lily Bay State Park is its beautiful beach. Visitors can swim, sunbathe, and relax on the sandy beach overlooking the lake. The park also features several hiking trails, including the Moosehead Lake Trail, which offers stunning views of the lake and surrounding mountains.
In addition to its natural attractions, Lily Bay State Park is home to several historic sites, including the Lily Bay Fire Tower and the Mount Kineo House. The park also offers a variety of recreational activities, including fishing, boating, and camping.
Interesting facts about the park include its status as one of the largest state parks in Maine and its designation as a Dark Sky Preserve, which means that it is an excellent place for stargazing.
The best time to visit Lily Bay State Park is during the summer months when the weather is warm and sunny, and the park is bustling with activity. However, the park is open year-round, and visitors can enjoy a variety of winter activities, such as snowmobiling and cross-country skiing, during the colder months.
Weather Forecast
Park & Land Designation Reference
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
Related References
Area Campgrounds
| Location | Reservations | Toilets |
|---|---|---|
Lily Bay State Park
|
||
Beach Haven campsite
|
||
Casey's Spencer Bay Camps
|
||
Jewett Cove
|
||
Salmon Island
|