Roque Bluffs might have the title for the coolest state park name here in Maine. Most people, even many Mainers, say “what and where is that?” For the longest time we called this Rogue Bluff until finally we realized it was a Q in Roque and not a G.

If you’ve been following along for a while, you might be wondering why we haven’t visited this state park after multiple trips over the years to the downeast region. Our goal is not to check these parks off a list, we actually want to check these parks out. Our mission was never to accomplish visiting every Maine state park and camp at all the family campgrounds. Our mission is to spend time together as a family and experience some of the most incredible places across our state. That would be why we made our way out here for the 5th year in a row.

Our first adventure as a family in this part of the state was a spring backpacking trip to the Cutler Preserve. Eloise was technically with us — Danielle was 10 weeks pregnant. Like we always say, start ’em young! That 10 mile loop and camping on the cliffs is a “bucket list” worthy experience. 

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Pulling into Roque Bluffs, we were tired, hungry, wet and a little chilly. Not our normal selves on a day trip to a new state park. That’s because this wasn’t a day trip. It was actually day #3 of a camping trip and we were stopping in during the first leg of a 4 hour drive back home after a rainy, but fun long weekend. We didn’t plan it this way but it would have been nearly impossible to visit on day #1 because of the drive and then having to set up our campsite. Then, day #2 was pretty much a wash, literally so that left us with day #3.

We all quickly jumped out and tried to find the driest of the dirty camping clothes. Lunches were had in the back of the car to stay out of the wind off the ocean. After filling our bellies with leftover food in the coolers and with some newly added layers, we were ready to roll.

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We decided to head into the trails first instead of going to the beach. The park is split with a network of over 3 miles of hiking trails inland and then a half mile beach. Oh, and a freshwater pond too! You have to see it on a map to wrap your head around it.

There were a few people in the parking lot headed to the pond to fish that day and it’s wild to think how close it is to the ocean. You could turn around from the pond and toss a rock onto the beach. It would take a good arm, but still you get the point. 

About 2 minutes into the hike, you completely forgot you were just at a beach. There were these incredible old apple trees in bloom as we started to enter into the woods.

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The staff had done a wonderful job maintaining the muddy areas with bog bridges. There were a few good long stretches and toddlers sure love em. Also, they wrapped them in chicken wire to help stop the wood from getting too slippery from all the moisture in the air, being along the coast and all.

We hiked just over 2 miles that afternoon on a wonderful loop, mostly on Houghton’s trail to the lookout point and then back along Pond Cove trail. Out and back is fine but we are suckers for loops, whenever it’s an option.  

After the hike it was time to strip some layers and head to the beach! We pushed off cold and came back sweating. There was only one other car in the lot at this point and they seemed to love our little teardrop camper as they kicked off their shoes for a walk on the beach. It’s a perfect one to walk the length of and zero noise but the waves. Nicholas Sparks would have a field day with the setting on Englishman Bay.

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Without planning it, the hike into the beach cool-down couldn’t have worked out better. It was hard to leave but we needed to get going, so with pockets full of rocks, we cleaned our feet and started our way back to the car for another 3.5-4 hours (with stops) before home. The same couple in the car next to us, returned at the same time but before they headed off, the woman driving said she loved what we were doing and that she did the same with her kids. We get this a lot from older folks but her advice was a little different than the usual war stories. She said “love ’em, but then let ’em run wild”. If you happen to be reading this, thank you for that. 

Roque Bluffs is like when KFC and Taco Bell joined forces under the same roof. Something for everyone in the family and odds are, you’re leaving with treats from both. Satisfied with this state park? 9 Rubies without a doubt and that’s not tossing in the picnic tables sandwiched in between the woods and water, plus a kids play area which was still off limits (Covid-19).

If you are visiting or staying in this area of the state, it would be a wonderful place to just stop for lunch or spend half the day. You will not leave disappointed or regret it, like sometimes after you eat Taco Bell and KFC. 

Oh, and where did we camp during this weekend trip? Cobscook Bay State Park, again! We try not to play favorites but when asked, this one is tied for 2nd place to camp at. #1 if you are talking purely about a destination “getaway.” We won’t write about it all over again (you can read about our first visit here), but it was definitely a new experience with Adeline joining the roster and we scored an even better site this time, #103. You find yourself saying over and over again while on the property, “this just doesn’t make sense.” The beauty, the uniqueness, the privacy and the price. It doesn’t make sense.