first time planning a trip

My sister and i are going to maine the week leading up to the forth of july and are planning to camp while were there. we will be there for 8 days and are a bit tight for cash. were looking for fun things to do during our stay and i was hopeing for some susgestions. we are in are 20%26#39;s so upbeat is best. please some help, first time planing a trip.

first time planning a trip

You will need to make reservations way ahead of time because July 4th is very, very busy in Maine. Here in Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park, it is often the case that people are sent 20 to 50 miles away to find lodging if they have no place reserved. Every available room is booked.

You don%26#39;t mention where in Maine you would like to visit. Perhaps you haven%26#39;t decided yet. I highly recommmend Acadia National Park. There%26#39;s lots to do from hiking to boat excursions to great restaurants and even some night life in Bar Harbor. We put on a big July 4th celebration: blueberry pancake breakfast for all comers on the athletic field, parade, lobster feed back in the field, bands at the two town parks, and fireworks over the bay.

There is camping in the Park at Blackwoods Campground -- a reservation is essential. There are also lots of privately-owned camp grounds. Check out acadiamagic.com

first time planning a trip

The fun thing about Maine is that there are so many different ';Maines';. Many people come for the ocean and coastline and lobster, but others may come for the northern wilderness and rivers. What is the Maine experience you and your sister are looking for? That will make a big difference in the recommendations that you might get from the locals. Keep one thing in mind - Maine does not have the craziest nightlife, so for girls in their 20%26#39;s looking for evening recreation, the choice would be limited to the Portland Old Port area, which offers a great night scene.

saturday thur tuesday moring will be aroung baxter state park then arond Acadia National Park till the 4

were not in to night life but outdoor stuff and so relxaing thing to do. any good fishing spots and hiking areas. also looking for good seafood

GOod area to visit for you might be Camden.

THere are a lot of hiking trails in the Camden Hills State park adjacent to town. Very scenic overviews from various summits ocean, lakes, etc.

Also, there is camping in this park at the base of the mountain. It is close enough to town that you can get the best of both worlds.

Can also do sea kayaking right in Camden harbor, and ';Maine SPort Outfitters'; as you enter into Camden can provide outdoor supplies, guides trips etc.

Rock climbing is also available int he Camden hills, and you could probably get guides through Maine SPort if you are into that.

THe same activities are available in Bar HArbor at Acadia. THat PArk is spectacular, but probably much more crowded and farther from town, you would probably need to reserve camping or other lodging well in advance for Acadia.

Boothbay Harbor is worth visiting too as it is very scenic with a great Kayak outfitter right in town ';Tidal Transit Company'; THere are also preserves around Boothbay with hiking trails and very scenic views.

Reid State Park just outside Bath has a very scenic pair of sandy beaches that are great for relaxing ona nd enjoying the view. Rarely very busy, just be aware the watyer is a bit cold, although there is a bay that is warmer and better suited for swiming.

Farther up into the state is Baxter STate park with Mt Katahdin which is spectatcular for hiking, but much more remote, and probably need camping sites reserved way in advance..

I would advise looking into Boothbay HArbor, Camden and Bar HArbor as places you might want to think about

Baxter Park offers some great camping, hiking, outdoor experiences if you don%26#39;t mind being self-motivated and planning your own hikes. Don%26#39;t limit yourself just to the traditional climb up Mt Katahdin, although that%26#39;s a great experience all by itself. If you haven%26#39;t make a camping reservation in the Park yet, would strongly recommend either the Chimney Pond or South Branch Pond campgrounds. Chimney is a bit of a hike from the parking lot at Roaring Brook campground, but the scenery and experience is fantastic. South Branch is drive-in, bt the scenery is great, there are some good ';local'; hikes, and it gets you away from the bigger crowds at the campsites used as a base for Katahdin hikes. Get a good guidebook and check out the climbs up Traveler Mountain. Or, for a truly remote experience, hike into Russell Pond campground. All great palces to experience Maine outdoors.

After Baxter, if your want the Maine coast, I%26#39;d agree that Acadia National Park/Bar Harbor, Camden or Boothbay Harbor all offer great experiences.

If you want to see more inland Maine, check out the State Parks in Rangeley, Dover-Foxcroft, or for more of the coast away from the crowds, Cobscook Bay State Park. Details available from the Maine Department of Conservation, which manages and operates all of them, at http://www.maine.gov/doc/parks/ then click on the State Park box on the left hand side of the page.

For a great outdoor experience, I%26#39;d also check out the L L Bean Outdoor Adventure offerings on their website at llbean.com. It%26#39;s probably a bit early for them to have details of their 2009 offerings posted yet, but in general, they offer one-to-two hour experiences in outdoor activities like kayaking, skeet shooting, orienteering, etc. Fees are reasonable and instructors are excellent.

Hope you have a great trip.