News

Maine campers set another attendance record in 2021

Maine campers set another attendance record in 2021

Photo: 560 WGAN Newsradio


SACO, Maine (AP) Maine’s state park campers set another record this year.

Maine is home to 48 state parks and historic sites, and attendance and camping at the parks have soared during the coronavirus pandemic. Preliminary state figures showed Maine state camp ground attendance set a record for the second straight year, the Portland Press Herald reported.

The state’s 12 state park campgrounds experienced an 8% increase in visitors from 2019 to 2020, when campers set a record of more than 270,000. This year, the number grew to about 315,000.

The state parks were heavily used before the pandemic, and the onset of the pandemic led to even more use as residents and visitors sought more outdoor forms of recreation. This year’s attendance was especially high even though July, in the heart of camping season, was full of rain.

State officials said they expected 2022 to be another big year for the campgrounds.

Latest Headlines

5 hours ago in Local

Maine Governor Candidates Stress Their Priorities at Portland Chamber Forum

The forum was part of the Chamber’s "Eggs & Issues" breakfast series

20 hours ago in Local

Maine Hospice Council Closing After 35 Years

The organization indicated it was closing down due to a lack of funding.

21 hours ago in Local

Joe Manchin to Campaign with Sen. Collins in Maine Wednesday

Manchin is joining Collins in Androscoggin County

23 hours ago in Sports, Trending

Eagles are not being punished for handling of Jalen Hurts’ blood clots, AP source says

The Philadelphia Eagles are not being disciplined for how they handled quarterback Jalen Hurts' blood clots, according to a person with knowledge of the situation.

24 hours ago in Local

Hannaford app and website back online after suspected cyber breach

Hannaford's website and app are back online after a week.