🌤 Weather at Peaks-Kenny State Park by season
| Spring | Summer | Fall | Winter |
|---|---|---|---|
| 14–65 °F | 49–78 °F | 26–69 °F | 3–30 °F |
Each range runs from the coldest monthly average low to the warmest monthly average high in that season (1991-2020 climate normals), measured at Sebec Lake, 2 mi away, elevation 380 ft. Conditions at the park can differ from the station, especially where elevation differs — check a forecast before you go.
Peaks-Kenny State Park is located smack dab in the center of Maine. In fact the park is the gateway to the Maine North Woods, an enormous area of working woodland. Yet it’s only 10 minutes from downtown Dover-Foxcroft and an hour from Bangor.
The 839-acre park’s setting is on the shores of Sebec Lake in Piscataquis County. This 6800-acre cold water lake has a maximum depth of 155 feet, making it a wonderful spot for fishing.
This Maine state park is a year-round destination that includes hunting and winter activities, even though it’s listed as closed during those months.
The park has an overall accessibility rating of limited access. However, you’ll find that parking, restrooms, and the group picnic shelter are rated as accessible, with many other amenities being generally accessible, including some ADA campsites.
Photos
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Nearby Parks
Activities
This is one of the Maine state parks that’s made for a week of camping or a picnic day trip. You can camp, fish, boat, swim, hunt, and have a group get-together all in one scenic location! The scenery includes views of rugged Borestone Mountain across the lake.
Your time at the park can be devoted to miles of hiking, or getting out on the lake in the summer by boat and in winter via snowmobile.
The park features a group shelter, 50 picnic spots with tables and grills, a beach and lawn area for swimming and sunbathing, plus a boat launch, play area, and many spots for watching birds and wildlife.
Folks staying here can get to Baxter State Park, Mount Katahdin, the Appalachian Mountain Club 100-mile Wilderness, or Moosehead Lake within two hours or less.
Boating at Peaks-Kenny State Park
Boating at the park can be protected within the South Cove area or out in the open on Sebec Lake’s varied expanse. There are inlets, points, some islands, and miles of shoreline. You can launch your personal watercraft at the park where you can also rent a canoe.
There’s a public trailered boat launch two miles southeast down the road at Greeley’s Landing where you may also find boats to rent. Like boating anywhere in Maine, please have your boat licensed as required and wear personal flotation devices.
Swimming at Peaks-Kenny State Park
As with other lakes here in the central Maine highlands, freshwater temperatures can be brisk. Yet swimming is a delight due to clear water and a pristine spot for catching some sun. Yet another advantage is that there are lifeguard services during the summer, adding to your sense of safety.
Hiking at Peaks-Kenny State Park
There are ten miles of hiking here for you and your leashed pet. Along with the varied terrain and trail surfaces, there are unique physical structures that lend well to creativity. That includes a bunch of picnic table sculptures!
- You can begin an easy to moderate hike right from the picnic area on Cove Trail that goes among old growth hemlock.
- Brown’s Point Trail offers a moderate 3 ½-mile round trip workout with ever-expanding views.
- Loop Trail is an easy almost ½-mile path from which you can extend your hike by following the moderate gain of Birch Mountain Ledge Trail.
- Or take a ¾-hour ride over to Borestone Mountain Audubon Sanctuary for moderate to advanced hiking or snowshoeing. Read up on the trail network so you’re well prepared for your workout. Pets are not permitted here.
Biking at Peaks-Kenny State Park
The Newport/Dover-Foxcroft Rail Trail is a multi-use trail that’s open for mountain biking plus year-round activities. It’s also known as the Four Seasons Adventure Trail with its northern access point nearby in Dover-Foxcroft.
If you’re an avid mountain biker and plan to visit this neck of the woods frequently, check out the Maine Outdoor Alliance with its mission to develop world-class mountain-biking around Greenville, less than an hour’s drive from here.
Fishing at Peaks-Kenny State Park
You can fish here from the shore or by boat. The lake is friendly to cold-water fish including salmon, rainbow and lake trout, smallmouth bass, plus white and yellow perch, among others.
You’ll find local outfitters and guides with a quick search. They’ll help to assure you have what you need, including an inland fishing license that you can also get online.
Birding at Peaks-Kenny State Park
The blend of woods and water creates prime birding for both waterfowl and birds that shelter among trees and near fields. Areas wooded with birch and beech attract seasonal warblers, kinglets, and thrushes, along with the year-round inhabitants that include chickadees, and often nuthatches and woodpeckers.
You may also see ravens, sharp-shinned hawks, and barred owls at any time throughout the year.
From shore or boat, you’re more likely to sight common loon, herons, mergansers, grebes, and kingfishers during warmer months. Eagles live year round in Maine, moving between water and fields when feeding. Meanwhile over by Borestone Mountain, you may get to view peregrine falcons, plus vireos.
Nature & Wildlife at Peaks-Kenny State Park
The park is located in a rich wildlife area. If you’re fortunate, you can see anything from moose, bear, and deer to fox, rabbits, fishers, and bob cats or Canadian lynx. Of these, bear are the only true hibernators.
Give any of the critters you see their space as some can act unpredictably. Even when you don’t have a sighting, it’s fun to practice tracking and looking for signs that indicate you’re in a wildlife habitat.
Pets
Pets that are short-leashed and attended at all times are allowed in the park. The exception is that no pets are permitted to be on the beach.
Camping
The park has 56 campsites that range from tent spots to those for long RVs and everything in between. There is also a group tent site that accommodates up to 25 people. By looking at the Peaks-Kenny State Park Campsite Map you can see the type of site and if it’s reservable or not.
You can also look at each in relation to drinking water, restrooms, and other amenities, in addition to locating the two ADA sites. Each campsite has a picnic table, fireplace, and wood to purchase. There are six reservable sites with electric and water hookups.
Park Location
Peaks-Kenny State Park 401 State Park Road Dover-Foxcroft ME 04426 Phone: 207.564.2003
Map
Video
Here is a short YouTube video showcasing several attractions at Peaks-Kenny State Park:
Explore More Maine State Parks
Peaks-Kenny State Park is one of many outstanding state parks in Maine. Discover more parks in our Best State Parks in Maine guide, or use our Park Finder to search by activity, location, or features.
Make it a road trip: Pair a visit with Katahdin Iron Works (within about an hour’s drive) or Lily Bay State Park (within about an hour’s drive).
⛺ Camping at Peaks-Kenny State Park: Campgrounds & Cabins
| Campsites | 56 sites — 56 sites on Sebec Lake, sized S through U per the map legend. 6 sites have electric & water hookups: 22, 24, 25, 26, 55 and 56. One walk-in tent site (27T). Flush toilets, hot showers, dish-washing station. Nightly rate tier: Maine resident $20-30, non-resident $30-40 depending on site, plus a $5/site/night reservation fee and 9% Maine lodging tax. |
|---|---|
| Pets | Leashed pets (leash under 4 feet) allowed at campsites; must not be left unattended. |
| Reservations | Book online at CampWithME.com or call 800-332-1501 (Maine) / (207) 624-9950 (outside Maine); park phone (207) 564-2003. Reservations must be made at least 2 business days in advance. Two-night minimum for reserved sites; 14-day maximum stay during July and August. |
| Special sites | Group picnic shelter. Boat launch/ramp. RV dump station on site. |
| Season notes | Open May 15 to October 1; main campground gate open 7 a.m.-10 p.m. for campers, day-use area 9 a.m. to sunset. |
Camping questions about Peaks-Kenny State Park
Can you camp at Peaks-Kenny State Park?
Yes. Peaks-Kenny State Park has 56 campsites. 56 sites on Sebec Lake, sized S through U per the map legend. 6 sites have electric & water hookups: 22, 24, 25, 26, 55 and 56. One walk-in tent site (27T). Flush toilets, hot showers, dish-washing station. Nightly rate tier: Maine resident $20-30, non-resident $30-40 depending on site, plus a $5/site/night reservation fee and 9% Maine lodging tax.
How do you reserve a campsite at Peaks-Kenny State Park?
Book online at CampWithME.com or call 800-332-1501 (Maine) / (207) 624-9950 (outside Maine); park phone (207) 564-2003. Reservations must be made at least 2 business days in advance. Two-night minimum for reserved sites; 14-day maximum stay during July and August.
Are pets allowed at the Peaks-Kenny State Park campground?
Leashed pets (leash under 4 feet) allowed at campsites; must not be left unattended.
Source: maine.gov (verified July 2026). Details change seasonally — confirm when booking.
🐾 Dogs & Pets at Peaks-Kenny State Park
- Pets allowed? statewide rule
- Pets are allowed at most Maine state parks year-round, including trails, but must be leashed, under the handler's physical control and never left unattended.
- Leash rule statewide rule
- Leash not exceeding 4 feet, under the physical control of the handler
- Beaches & swim areas statewide rule
- Pets are not allowed on state park beaches April 1 through September 30; leashed pets are welcome on beaches October 1 through March 31
- Statewide exceptions statewide rule
- No pets allowed at Sebago Lake State Park campground; park staff may assign pet owners to less congested camping areas
Are dogs allowed at Peaks-Kenny State Park?
Pets are allowed at most Maine state parks year-round, including trails, but must be leashed, under the handler's physical control and never left unattended. Individual parks can post stricter rules — check signage on arrival.
Rules verified July 2026 via maine.gov. More: Maine state parks guide · Dog rules in all 50 states compared
Park Location
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