Bradbury Mountain State Park, sculpted by glaciers thousands of years ago, is one of Maine’s five original state parks and offers a multitude of activities for lovers of the outdoors year-round. Horseback riders, hikers, mountain bikers, picnickers, and snowmobilers all can enjoy the 800-acre park.

You can reach the 485-foot-high summit of Bradbury Mountain by a short, steep climb—less than 0.5 mile long—or by more circuitous routes. Mountain bikers flock to Bradbury Mountain in summer for its great trails, as do snowmobilers in winter, who use former ski trails to race around. In the 1940s, downhill skiing was available, but it is no longer offered. Snowshoes are available for rent if you’re on foot.

The 1.0-mile wooded Northern Loop is a wide, gradual ascent to the top of Bradbury Mountain, but kids who like to climb will prefer the short Summit Trail, which gets you to the top in 0.3 mile. You can gain access to the trail, marked with white blazes, from the parking lot. This is not a trail for short little legs or anyone with bad knees! One benefit is that only hikers are allowed on the trail, so you don’t have to keep an eye out for bicycles. Once you reach the top, the plateau makes for picture-perfect views. At the bottom of the mountain are picnic tables and a large playground.

Remember: The park has 35 rustic campsites, so you can easily make this a fun weekend adventure. However, plan ahead! Sites fill up quickly. Keep your dog on a leash and clean up after it.

Casco Bay Trail at Wolfe’s Neck Woods State Park takes you along Maine’s rocky shoreline.

The village of Freeport, south of Pownal, offers plenty of dining options.