7 Snake-Infested State Parks In Maine

Maine has nine native snake species, and its state parks offer some of the best places to spot them in the wild. Common garter snakes, northern water snakes, ring-necked snakes, and six others all live across the state in forests, wetlands, rocky slopes, and lake shores. These non-venomous reptiles help support healthy ecosystems by feeding on insects, slugs, amphibians, and small rodents.

Sun-warmed granite ledges, marshy shorelines, wooded leaf litter, and quiet campground margins are all excellent places to watch for movement. Spring through early fall brings the most activity, especially on mild mornings and warm late afternoons, which makes timing just as useful as location when you hope to spot one.

Camden Hills State Park

Camden Hills State Park is on the central coast of Maine. It first opened in the 1930s and covers 5,710 acres overlooking Penobscot Bay. It's one of the most popular state parks in The Pine Tree State due to its proximity to numerous population centers, views, and hiking trails. Many people enjoy hiking, biking, horsebackriding, and cross-country skiing in Camden Hills State Park, and driving to the top of Mount Battie is a popular activity there as well.

People often see snakes in this park. The most common species found there include the common garter snake, northern water snake, red-bellied snake, ringneck snake, and smooth green snake. Of course, all five snake species found in this park are not dangerous; most would simply like to hide when they hear humans coming their way.

Bradbury Mountain State Park

Bradbury Mountain State Park was one of Maine's first five state parks, established in the 1930s. The mountain for which it is named is only around 500 feet tall, and the park itself is just 730 acres in size. However, this park is popular year-round because it is not far from numerous small cities and towns. People enjoy hiking, biking, and snowmobiling in this park, and the quick hike to the top of Bradbury Mountain is fun for all ages.

This park is also home to snakes. The most common snake found in Bradbury Mountain State Park is the common garter snake. These snakes are about 1.5 to 3 feet long and are brown, green, or gray with yellow stripes. They live under rocks and are harmless. Other snakes in Bradbury State Park include red-bellied snakes, ringneck snakes, and eastern milksnakes, but they are less commonly seen.

Rangeley Lake State Park

Rangeley Lake State Park is in the western part of Maine near the northern New Hampshire border. It covers 870 acres and is on the southern shore of its namesake lake. This park was established in 1960 and offers a 50-site campground, a swim beach, motorized boating, hiking, and salmon and brook trout fishing. It's in a mountainous part of the state beloved by outdoor enthusiasts.

The common garter snake is prevalent in Rangeley Lake State Park. This snake species has a wide tolerance for a variety of habitats and hibernates well during Maine's cold winters. Due to the high elevation of this park, few other snakes are found there, but some have reported sightings of red-bellied snakes there, too.

Sebago Lake State Park

Like Camden Hills State Park, Sebago Lake State Park was one of Maine's first five state parks, established in 1938. It encompasses 1,342 acres and is in the southwestern part of the state near New Hampshire. This park is on the shores of its namesake lake and is heavily forested. Visitors enjoy this park for its many camping options, with 250 campsites across two campgrounds.

Northern water snakes are often spotted in this park along the marshy, sandy, and rocky shores around the lake. They are often between 2 and 4 feet long and are often mistaken for cottonmouths, but they are completely non-venomous and harmless. Common garter snakes and milk snakes are also common in Sebago Lake State Park. Common garter snakes thrive in a variety of habitats, but milk snakes are frequently seen around old buildings and other structures.

Aroostook State Park

Residents of and visitors to northern Maine often enjoy visiting Aroostook State Park in the northeastern part of the state. This state park covers 898 acres and includes Quaggy Jo Mountain. Like Camden Hills and Sebago Lake State Parks, this park was also one of the state's first five parks, developed in the 1930s.

Due to this park's far northern location, it's not uncommon for visitors to see large mammals like bears and moose, as well as smaller mammals like foxes, squirrels, and chipmunks. Aroostook State Park is also a great place for birdwatching. Some might be surprised to find abundant snakes in a park this far north, but Aroostook State Park is home to many Common garter snakes, as well as smooth green snakes and red-bellied snakes. Common garter snakes can be found all over this park; smooth green snakes are found in fields or near water, and red-bellied snakes like to hide under debris in wooded areas.

Lamoine State Park

Lamoine State Park is one of the smaller parks in the Maine state parks system, covering only 55 acres. This small park is on the central Maine coast on the shore of Frenchman's Bay. It offers spectacular views of the bay, a 62-site campground, and opportunities for hiking, fishing, boating, and cross-country skiing.

As with every other park on this list, visitors can expect to find Common garter snakes in Lamoine State Park, but the Northern water snake is also quite common here as well. Northern water snakes are primarily freshwater snakes, but they can survive in both saltwater and freshwater, and they are often seen swimming near docks and along sandy and rocky shores.

Wolfe's Neck Woods State Park

Wolfe's Neck Woods State Park is located on a narrow peninsula that is between Casco Bay and the Harraseeket River. This park is 244 acres in size and opened in 1972. It is near a number of popular tourist cities and towns, so it can get quite busy in the summertime, but this lovely park is still worth a visit at any time of year. Visitors enjoy hiking on the park's trails, which pass through forests and along the rocky shoreline, and the park is especially popular with birdwatchers.

Four of Maine's nine species of snakes are common in Wolfe's Neck Woods State Park. The common garter snake is frequently observed here. The northern water snake, the northern red-bellied snake, and the brown snake all thrive in this park as well. All are harmless, of course.

It's clear there are many snakes in Maine state parks. Fortunately, they are all non-venomous, so residents and visitors can observe them and enjoy them without fear. Next time you are out hiking in Maine's state parks, be sure to look for these slithery friends. Maine's nine native snakes are all interesting and unique, and there's no reason to be afraid of any of them. Snakes are creatures that are not like any other creatures on earth. Let's celebrate them!