Roque Bluffs State Park is situated on Englishman Bay overlooking the Roque Island archipelago and offers visitors one of the best sandy beaches in Washington County.—PHOTO COURTESY OF MARY SPENCE

Maine state parks offer residents and visitors alike an opportunity to enjoy the very best of what our fine state has to offer. From mountains and forests to lakes and our splendid seashores, there’s sure to be something to please everyone.

One spectacular and lesser known of the 30 Maine state parks is Roque Bluffs State Park. This hidden gem lies in the village of Roque Bluffs, eight miles south of Route 1 in Jonesboro and six miles south of Washington County’s shire town of Machias. Set on 274 acres overlooking Englishman Bay, this delightful park offers visitors salt and fresh water swimming, hiking trails and a great stretch of sandy beaches with wonderful views of the Roque Island archipelago.

Roque Bluffs State Park provides the perfect day out for families and others who are looking to get away from the ordinary. The long sandy beach provides easy access for those hardy folks who enjoy ocean swimming and is a great location for long, leisurely walks and beachcombing. The area also supports a variety of wildlife and visitors can observe ospreys, bald eagles, seals and a diversity of seabirds.

The park also features a freshwater pond behind the beach for swimming and fishing. Here you’ll also find restrooms and changing facilities as well as plenty of picnic tables and grills for use.

And for the hikers in the group, Roque Bluffs State Park offers visitors a choice of five trails to follow in varying lengths from less than a half-mile to two miles. The trailhead is situated on the bluff above the beach, where you’ll find ample parking and a trail map.

For those who are looking for a bit more adventure, Roque Bluffs State Park is a great place to launch a sea kayak. The relatively sheltered bay can provide paddlers with access to some of the most spectacular coastal scenery in Downeast Maine. Paddlers can explore from their cockpits the Roque Island archipelago. These islands lie just offshore and are considered to be one of the most beautiful areas to explore on the Maine coast.

For those with larger watercraft, a public boat launch is available at the end of Shoppee Point Road. From here boaters can explore the very picturesque Englishman Bay and the rugged headlands that line this stretch of coast.

Roque Bluffs State Park is open from May 15 through Sept. 30. A day use fee (sorry, no camping) of $3 is levied for each person and leashed pets are welcome everywhere except the beach.

For more information, call the park manager from April through October at (207) 255-3475.