One of the things that draws both tourists and new residents to Maine is the promise of unlimited outdoor access. From beaches to forests, there's no denying that the state offers some of the most beautiful landscapes in the country. But the outdoor activities we all engage in require more work than you might think. A ton of dedication has gone into the outdoor spaces in Maine and the oldest state park in the state is just one example. This special park all the way in The County has the oldest history in the state and visiting is a great way to stay grateful for the hard work that's gone into our recreation areas.

Aroostook State Park, located near Presque Isle, got its start in 1938 when local citizens came together to donate 100 acres of land to Maine for the creation of a new state park. At over 80 years old, this is Maine's oldest state park!

Over the years additional donations have allowed the park to grow to its current size of more than 800 acres. Two of the most notable features of Aroostook State Park are Quaggy Jo Mountain and Echo Lake.

The park offers tons to do year-round. To start, check out some of the hiking trails.

There are three main trails ranging from .75 miles to 1.25 miles. Each is rated at least moderately challenging. The South Peak Trail, which is the shortest, is also a bit more difficult than the others due to steep terrain.

The views from the top are absolutely worth the effort, though!

For those looking to stay a bit closer to sea-level, there's still plenty to explore. Echo lake is in the center of the park and offers catch-and-release fishing as well as kayaking and canoeing. It's beautiful in the spring and summer when the area is awash in deep blues and greens.

Echo Lake is also a great place to see fall foliage so you should feel comfortable planning a trip for after the summer as well.

When the weather is nice, bring a picnic to enjoy the many seating areas and tables that surround the lake.

There's so much to do at Aroostook State Park that spending a few nights is a common practice. There are 30 campsites and each comes with a table and fire pit.

Campsites can be reserved for overnight stays from June 15th to Labor Day, but be sure to make your reservations at least two weeks in advance as this is a busy place in the summer!

No matter when you visit, make sure to have a plan before you arrive to make sure you do everything you want. There's so much to see here that it can be easy to get overwhelmed and simply take in the views from the shore of the lake. But, of course, there's absolutely nothing wrong with that!

You can make reservations for any Maine state park campsite by visiting the reservations website.

Aroostook State Park can be visited year-round from 9 a.m. to sunset, but the winter is considered the off-season and facilities may be closed. If the gate is closed during the off-season and there are no signs regarding park closure, visitors can park outside the gate as long as they do not block entry. From here simply walk in during the open hours. The fee for entry is $3 for adult Maine residents, $4 for adult non-residents and $1 for senior non-residents. You can learn more about visiting on the official Maine website.

To explore the quieter side of Maine's outdoors head to these 8 lesser-known state parks in Maine that will absolutely amaze you.