A Guide to Mount Blue State Park: Hiking, Camping, and Paddling in Western Maine

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Written By Katherine Mills
Wooden dock overlooking a lake with mountains off in the distance.

Name: Mount Blue State Park

Location: Weld, Maine

Dog-friendly: Yes, on-leash.

Hours: 9:00a.m. to sunset

Season: Year-round

Campground: Yes

Fees: Yes, self-service collection station

Did you know that Mount Blue State Park is the largest state park in Maine? This year-round scenic destination encompasses 8,000 acres of camp sites, hiking trails, sandy beach, nature trails, and gorgeous views. Some people (me) might even say it’s one of the most scenic state parks. So let’s get right to the good stuff.

In this blog post, I will cover all the delicious details about Mount Blue State Park—including: campground information, hiking trails, the best time to visit the park, and exclusive insider tips like which campsites are the best and which nearby restaurants are worth the drive.

About the Park

Mount Blue State Park is located in Franklin County, Maine. Nestled in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, Franklin County is known for its scenic beauty, outdoor recreational opportunities, and small-town charm.

Mount Blue State Park is split into two pieces of land surrounding the beautiful Webb Lake. The portion of the park located on the southwest shore of Webb Lake contains Webb Beach, the Mount Blue State Park campground, and family-friendly walking trails. The second portion of the park—home to Mount Blue and several scenic hiking trails, is Northeast of Webb Lake.

History

Mount Blue State Park has a rich history, originally inhabited by the Wabanaki Confederacy, including the Penobscot, Passamaquoddy, Maliseet, and Abenaki tribes, who lived off the land and used the area as part of their seasonal migration routes. In the late 1700s and 1800s, European settlers arrived, and logging became a major industry in the region, with local towns like Farmington and Jay growing as timber was harvested for construction and paper mills.

The idea of creating Mount Blue State Park emerged in the 1930s, as part of a national effort to conserve natural resources and provide recreational spaces. Established in 1938, the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) helped the park develop infrastructure such as trails, campgrounds, and picnic areas.

Preparation

  • Check the weather forecast to ensure safe conditions

  • Pack any necessary supplies, such as water, snacks, and a basic first-aid kit

  • Wear appropriate footwear and clothing for the season and activities

  • Click here to view my hiking and camping essentials

Directions + Parking

To reach the park, follow either Route 156 from Wilton or Route 142 from Dixfield or Phillips.

To reach the Mount Blue trailhead and Center Hill Picnic area, follow the Center Road from Weld Village.

To reach the Webb Beach and Campground, drive 2 miles north past Weld Village and bear left on the West Road at Webb Corner. Continue 4 miles to Webb Beach Road, which leads to the lake and campground.

Camping

The park is home to a family-friendly campground that offers reservable and non-reservable sites, sites with hookups and water, camper sites, tent sites, and group camping sites. Click here to find out when they begin taking reservations for the season. There are primitive restrooms and water faucets throughout the campground, as well as dishwashing stations and restrooms with showers. All of the sites are very well maintained, with a picnic table and a fire ring.

The campground does have one-way roads, so be careful when driving. Also be sure to bring a headlamp and/or lantern to find your way to the bathroom at night as the bath house with running water is a sizable walk from most sites. First time tent camping in Maine? Click here to learn what to pack.

Day Use Area

The day use area is amazing. It totally surpasses any other day use area at any other Maine State Park. It has a large, sandy beach, picnic tables scattered throughout the woods overlooking the lake, restrooms, a grassy area, and watercraft rentals. It’s the perfect place to set up a chair, a cooler, and corn hole and hang out for the day. There’s even a large parking lot if you would prefer to drive down to the beach.

Activities

Hiking

Mt. Blue Trail (3.2 miles roundtrip, moderate)

This challenging, steep hike rewards with breathtaking views and an observation tower at the summit. Along the trail, you'll find great birdwatching opportunities and a variety of wildflowers. At the top, an observation deck provides gorgeous views of Western Maine.

Center Hill Nature Trail (0.5 miles roundtrip, easy)

Learn about the region's cultural and natural history while walking along a scenic nature trail. Start at the parking lot of the Center Hill picnic area.

Hopping Frog Nature Trail (1 mile roundtrip, easy)

This winding footpath stretches between the shores of Webb Lake and Swett Brook and is perfect for adventurers of all ages.

Swett Brook Trail ( 2-mile loop, easy)

This family-friendly trail weaves through the campground and surrounding forest.

Tumbledown Mountain via Loop Trail and Brook Trail (4.3 miles, hard)

This is a wicked challenging hike—the loop trail starts by moving through the forest, ascending up steep, rocky terrain and passing by exposed ledges. Some sections require scrambling over and between rock passages. The summit provides panoramic views—but the best reward is cooling off with a swim in Tumbledown Pond.

*Insider tip: leave one car at the Brook Trail trailhead and another at the Loop Trail trailhead so you don’t have to walk the road before or after your hike.

Paddling

Webb Lake is deep and sandy, making it ideal for canoeing, kayaking, and boating. There are plenty of small coves to explore and wildlife to observe—from a safe distance, of course! You can launch your watercraft from the Mount Blue State Park boat launch.

Insider Tips

  • Best nearby restaurants

    • Kawanhee Inn: a delightful dining experience in a rustic setting with views of Webb Lake

    • Calzolaio Pasta Co: Italian and American eats in a cozy building that hugs the river

  • The best time to visit Mount Blue State Park, in my opinion, is June through September when you can enjoy the campground, sandy beach, and hiking trails

  • In my opinion, the best campsites at this state park are the sites near the beach (24, 25, 26, 28, 30) and sites 100-119, due to their privacy

  • Get to the beach early (before 10:00a.m.) to secure a good spot, because they go fast

  • Dogs aren’t allowed on the beach, but you can get around this by bringing your dog to the picnic area to the right of the beach, which have paths down to the water

  • You may want to invest in a portable power station to keep your devices charged

  • First time camping? Click here to access a free tent camping packing list

Leave no Trace

When it comes to enjoying time outdoors, remember the golden rule: Leave No Trace. It’s as simple as picking up after yourself, staying on the trails, and leaving nature just as beautiful as you found it. By practicing Leave No Trace, you help preserve the magic of Maine for future adventurers to enjoy, so everyone can keep enjoying the same beautiful, wild world we love.

Interested in learning about the 37 other Maine State Parks? Read more about them here.

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With love,

My Maine

Katherine Mills
Next

Swan Lake State Park