Most tourists come to Maine headed straight for Acadia National Park. While it's beautiful, it's certainly not the only park in Maine that offers access to trees, streams, lakes and camping. State parks offer something for just about everyone in every single season and Maine is home to 36 of them along with an amazing state forest and a national monument. Whether you prefer to wait until summer for a lake dip or you're the type that loves a good snowstorm for cross-country skiing, you'll want to pay a visit to these beautiful state parks in Maine!

1. Fort McClary State Park, Kittery Point

Rather than nature, this park offers a bit more in the way of history. Fort McClary was used to protect the harbor of Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Today, the Fort and the surrounding structures are owned and operated by the State of Maine as Fort McClary State Historic Site.

2. Fort Knox State Park, Prospect

Fort Knox, Maine's largest historic fort, features military architecture and master granite craftsmanship. Constructed between 1844 and 1864 by master craftsmen and never fully completed, it is an unaltered example of a large mid-19th century granite coastal fortification.

Please note: Fort Knox State Park is open seasonally.

3. Aroostook State Park, Presque Isle

Maine's first state park is the best place to start your explorations of the North Woods. Aroostook State Park is nearly 800 acres and offers access to lakes, streams, hiking trails.

4. Moose Point State Park, Searsport

Moose Point was first developed as a dairy farm by the Carver family in 1859. At one point, the 186-acre property had a house, barn, two silos, and sixty head of cattle. After most of the buildings burned down in 1927, Clifford Carver and his relatives offered the land to the State of Maine as a park in 1951. It opened in 1963 and today is a lovely way to explore forest and sea.

5. Bradbury Mountain State Park, Pownal

Home to Bradbury Mountain and all the views that come with it, Bradbury Mountain State Park has 590 acres for camping, hiking and picnicking. This is also the only state park in Maine to offer shared-use trails for horseback riders, mountain bikers and snowmobilers.

6. Reid State Park, Georgetown

In 1946, prosperous businessman and Georgetown resident Walter E. Reid donated land to the State of Maine to be preserved forever, and a few years later Reid State Park became a reality. Today, thousands of visitors enjoy the park's long, wide sand beaches like Mile and Half Mile, which are rare in Maine.

7. Lamoine State Park, Lamoine

Lamoine State Park is a great place to explore if you want to be near Bar Harbor, but aren't willing to take on the crowds of Acadia National Park. A trip here means access to Frenchman's Bay, campground facilities and boat launching ramps.

8. Baxter State Park, Millinocket

Okay, so maybe this one isn't exactly "under-appreciated." But, no state park list is complete without this beautiful state park. Perhaps the best-known state park in Maine, Baxter is home to Katahdin, the northern terminus of the AT. But, it's also a wonderful place to explore even without plans to get to that summit. Enjoy the lakes and campgrounds here, but book early - the summer is busy!

What are your favorite state parks to visit in Maine? Did we have any on this list that surprised you? Share your thoughts on all things related to Maine's state parks in the comments below!

If all these state parks make you want to move to Maine permanently, click here to read about 17 things you'll learn very quickly once you arrive.