AUGUSTA — Maine state park passes for 2010 are now on sale for holiday gift giving.
The park passes, which offer unlimited day use at all 47 state parks and historic sites, can be used throughout the year by Maine residents and nonresidents, according to Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands officials.
The passes are available for $35 for an individual pass or $70 for a vehicle pass, available to residents and nonresidents. The vehicle pass allows park entry to all occupants of a vehicle weighing up to 1 ton.
Maine residents 65 and older are allowed free day use at all parks and historic sites. Children 5 to 11 years old pay only $1, while children under 5 are free.
The passes also allow admission for winter activities at the parks. Winter activities begin on Sunday, Jan. 17, with the youth ice fishing derby at Lake St. George State Park in Liberty.
Other events include:
“Take It Outside” winter family fun day, Saturday, Jan. 30, Mount Blue State Park,
Weld.
“Take It Outside” winter family fun day, Saturday, Feb. 20, Aroostook State Park, Presque Isle.
A full calendar of events will be available on Tuesday, Dec. 1, through the Bureau of Parks and Lands Web site.
Park passes can be purchased in several ways. Maine residents can buy them when filing State of Maine income tax. The passes also can be purchased when visitors first go to a park or historic site during the park season.
Passes also can be purchased online at www.mainestateparkpass.com; by calling the campsite reservation office at 287-2209 to use a Visa, Discover or Mastercard;
by mailing a check or money order to: Department of Conservation, Attn: Reservations Office, 22 SHS, Augusta, ME 04333-0022, with the check payable to Treasurer, State of Maine; or by visiting the Augusta Office, Bureau of Parks and Lands, Department of Conservation, Harlow Building, 18 Elkins Lane (AMHI Campus), Augusta, Maine, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Park passes can’t be used at Baxter State Park, the Allagash Wilderness Waterway, The Penobscot River Corridor, Penobscot Narrows Observatory, Maine Wildlife Park or Scarborough Beach.
For more information, go to www.parksandlands.com or www.mainestateparkpass.com.
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