Maine
Best Campsites in Maine
The state of Maine measures an astounding 3478 miles of diverse landscape and boasts of 228 miles of coastline. It stretches from Kittery to Eastport with beaches, coves, bays, and islands as well as a peninsula and headland. If you are looking to escape from the city life to beautiful wilderness and interact with nature, Maine is the place to visit. Amid this amazingly distinct geography, you will find over 100 comfortable campgrounds, which offer a myriad of activities to indulge in especially during the summertime. Whether you enjoy hiking along a rocky coastal trail or enjoy sleeping under the stars with the ocean waves as your lullaby, the state has a variety of camping spots spread throughout the state. Below are 15 of the best campsites in Maine.
1. Sebago Lake State Park, Casco
Located in Casco, Maine, this is the biggest campground in southern Maine. The state park offers 200 clean campsites and facilities situated in both reservable and non-reservable areas. It also offers a variety of amenities, which include water and electric hookups. If you intend to visit this campground, you should probably know that the reservable sites have to be booked for at least 4 nights during the main camping season, which runs from May to September.
2. Bradbury Mountain State Park
Located in Pownal, Maine, the Bradbury Mountain State Park is the official campground from where to view the picturesque Bradbury Mountain. It features 35 sites, which can comfortably accommodate a variety of camp set-ups from a simple pop-up tent to the stronger 35’ camper. The Bradbury Mountain State Park also provides access to an extensive network of trails where campers can hike or bike and enjoy several amenities that range from drinking water and showers. Like other campgrounds in Maine, you have to reserve the camp spots.
3. Cobscook Bay State Park
Located in Dennysville, Cobscook Bay State Park is home to one of the most dramatic tidal ranges in the state of Maine, which can go as high as 24 feet. It is also an ideal camping site for visitors who enjoy exploring the great outdoors. It boasts of unique natural features like a narrow opening to the sea, streams, rivers, and a craggy shoreline. The water in the Gulf of Maine is rich with plankton, which attracts a myriad of wildlife which campers can enjoy viewing. The state park features numerous spots set aside for camping as well as over 100 actual camping spots- many of which are situated along the shoreline. Cobscook Bay can accommodate simple tents and RVs up to 35’.
4. Natanis Point Campground
Situated in Coburn Gore, near the Canadian border, the Natanis Point Campground offers great camping sites located right next to the pristine waters of the lake. Besides the lake, which attracts thousands of visitors every year, the campground also features first-class hospitality from some private citizens who offer ATVs to explore the campground with and organize a local hunting guide. Amenities you can expect to find include showers and clean drinking water.
5. Cape Neddick Oceanside Campground
Situated in Cape Neddick Harbor in York, the Cape Neddick Oceanside Campground is the perfect spot to pitch a camper or set up a tent on the oceanfront sites and enjoy the sea view right outside your tent. At the campground enjoy the ocean waves and sunbathe at the Short Sands and Long Sands beach as well as marvel at the vibrant scene found in the streets of York Beach. You can also drive the auto road to the peak of Mount Agamenticus for an amazing view of the state, hike, or mountain bike ride along with the extensive network of scenic trails.
6. Hemlock Grove Campground
Nestled among the beautiful forests of Arundel, the Hemlock Grove Campground is the best place to experience the Maine outdoor experience. The campground features large sites among tall trees that can easily accommodate everything from Simple tents to trailers and RVs. There are four beaches which you can access from the campground, which include Parsons, Goose rocks, Kennebunk and Fortune Rocks. At the campground, visit the Kennebunk port, which is great for mountain biking and hiking, or check out the Seashore Trolley Museum- the largest and oldest electric railway museum in the world.
7. Bradbury Mountain State Park
The Bradbury Mountain State Park was established in 1939 and can be found on Route 9 in rural Pownal. The park features 35 serene and tranquil wooded campsites with over 20 miles of trails for horseback riding, mountain biking, and hiking. Hikers love the trails found on the west side of route 9 because they offer scenic views of the ocean as well as the summit ledges of Bradbury Mountain. You can also visit Freeport which is a shopping mecca located just a few miles away from the campground.
8. Recompence Shore Campground
Set on 626 acres of forests and farm grounds on Casco Bay, the Recompense Shore Campground is run as part of Wolfe’s Neck Farm- a nonprofit farm in Freeport. It features 130 oceanfront, three rustic cottages as well as field and wooded campsites. The campground also offers family-friendly amenities such as canoe and kayak rentals and three miles of hiking and biking trails. At the campground, you can indulge in outdoor activities such as fishing for lobster, clambakes, and hayrides, which are found in plenty during the summer.
HIKERGARDEN 8-Person Tent
- ROOMY FOR 8
- EASY SETUP & SMOOTH ZIP
- PROFESSIONAL WATERPROOF & WINDPROOF
- VENTILATION & LIGHTWEIGHT
- SEPARATED ROOM & PORTABLE
9. Hermit Island Campground
This campground can be found at small Point, a small distance from the Phippsburg Peninsula. The causeway and Head beach separate the island campground from the mainland and features 299 campsites. Many of the campsites on the island have bold oceanfront locations, which offer far-reaching scenic views of the surrounding area. Hermit Island offers a variety of amenities, which range from pool tables, picnic tables, video games, and the popular Snack bar. While at the island, be sure to explore the lagoon beaches and rocky headlands at Joe’s point, the Breakwater point, or the color-coded trails that stretch to the northern end.
10. Lobster Buoy Campsites
These campsites can be found on the scenic spot on Waterman Beach on South Thomaston. It features 40 campsites, all of which have a great view of the Muscle islands found just offshore to Vinalhaven found in the Gulf of Maine. Lobster Buoy offers the traditional camping experience with simple amenities. These campsites are popular among saltwater anglers, bicyclists, and kayakers. Be sure to visit the Owls Head Transportation Museum to check out their interesting collection of antique airplanes, bicycles, automobiles, carriages, motorcycles, and engines.
11. Camden Hills State Park
The Camden Hills State Park is a 6200-acre preserve, which boasts of 100 well-spaced campsites available on the east side of the state park fully equipped with basic amenities such as showers and a kids’ playground. At the park, you can hike from the campground, climb to the summits of Mount Battie, Bald Rock Mountain, and Mount Megunticook which offer scenic views of the ocean. You can also opt to canoe or kayak at Barret’s Cove to check out the areas around Megunticook Lake or marvel at the steep walls on Maiden’s Cliff.
12. Somes Sound View Campground
Located in Mount Desert, ME, this campground is located right in the middle of the recreational activity that takes place on Mount Desert Island with a picturesque view of Sargent and Norumbega mountains found in Acadia National park. It features more than fifty campsites, which can easily accommodate RVs, campers, and tents. Among the amenities offered, the most popular are the Kayak and canoe rental stands, a heated pool, and a kid’s playground. It also offers 120 miles of hiking trails and 50 miles of bike-friendly roads, which loop through the park through some of the most breathtaking natural sceneries found in Maine.
13. Aroostook State Park
The Aroostook State Park is located in Presque Isle, ME and is the first state park in Maine opened in 1938. It features 800 acres of land with a variety of camping options, which range from tents, campers to RVs. The state park offers visitors various activities to its visitors including, hiking along the trail to the South Peak of Quaggy Jo Mountain and pristine clear waters with great boating, fishing, and swimming.
14. Allagash Gateway Campground & Cabins
Are you looking for a really quiet and remote place to spend time outdoors in nature? Look no farther than this isolated campground in the state of Maine. Situated at T3-R12, (yes, it’s a town’s name)ME, The Allagash Gateway Campground & Cabins is part of the Allagash Waterway found in northern Maine and is the most remote of areas in the state. It is also situated along the spectacular shores of Ripogenus Lake and offers a variety of campsites, which can accommodate cabins, tents, and RVs.
15. Lake Pemaquid Campground
This campground is located in Damariscotta, Maine near the ocean on Lake Pemaquid. The campground features over 200 campsites, which are designed to accommodate everything from campers, trailers, RVs to tents. The campground offers a variety of amenities that range from sandy beaches, swimming pools and provides for activities such as scheduled events and entertainment programs that can be enjoyed by the whole family.
Conclusion
The state of Maine has many camping opportunities to offer its visitors and residents alike. In addition to the warm hospitality, modern amenities and outdoor activities offered, the state boasts of natural features such as beaches, hiking trails, beautiful scenic sites on top of the various mountains that don the place. They make Maine an ideal destination for camping and outdoor adventures. So get out your camping gear and go explore what Maine has to offer. Have a great time camping.