Summer is the busiest time along the coastal towns of Maine. For visitors that are coming to enjoy the beachfront amusement park in Old Orchard Beach or for those looking forward to exploring tide pools in Bar Harbor, there are many parks and attractions in the state. If you plan on camping on your vacation there are lots of options as well. Here are the 5 best places to camp in Maine this summer.
1. Acadia National Park: Blackwoods Campground
One of the best places to camp in Maine this summer is at Acadia National Park. Look for river otters, peregrine falcons and whales off the coast.
©Eric Urquhart/Shutterstock.com
Acadia National Park is one of the most visited national parks in the U.S. It is located on one of the islands right off the coast of Maine. Acadia has some of the most beautiful hiking trails and unique wildlife which is what draws people from all over to visit. You need to plan ahead before you go and expect large crowds in the summer, but seeing Cadillac mountain, climbing the rocky and watching the waves roll in off Boulder Beach are worth it. There’s also unique wildlife that lives in Acadia. It is home to protected peregrine falcons that have fledglings that are just learning to fly in the late summer months. North American River Otters can be found around the coastlines and you can book a whale watching boat tour out of Bar Harbor. So much to do!
There are four campgrounds in Acadia National Park. The Blackwoods Campground is one of the most popular ones and is located on the east side of Mount Desert. The campground is only a 10 minute walk down to the ocean and right on Park Loop Rd. There are 221 tent only sites as well as 60 sites for RV’s and include a picnic table and fire ring. Can you imagine how you will feel waking up and walking down to the coast to enjoy a cup of coffee with the crisp Maine air. Now that is one of the best places to camp in Maine this summer!
| Blackwoods Campground | |
|---|---|
| Location | 5 miles south of Bar Harbor, right on the coast |
| Nearest City | Bar Harbor |
| RV sites | 60 sites, all are non-electric |
| Tent sites | 221 sites, all are non-electric |
| Picnic Tables at each site | Yes |
| Fire Pit at each site | Yes |
| Amenities | Restrooms, water |
| Pet Friendly | Yes, pets must be leashed at all times |
| Reservations | Yes, required, no same day availability |
| What makes it one of the best | Camping right along the coast with views of Cadillac Mountain! |
2. Old Orchard Beach: Paradise Park Resort and Campground
If you want to be where all the summer action is then staying at the Paradise Park Resort and Campground is the place to be. It is only a half-mile from the sandy beach and oceanfront amusement park.
©Dancentury / CC BY-SA 2.5 – License
One of the best Oceanside amusement parks on the east coast is Palace Playland with roller coasters, rides and games. There is a long pier out into the ocean with restaurants and pubs, or just kick back and relax on the sandy beach. It is a very popular destination for tourists in the summer as well as the locals.
The Paradise Park Resort and Campground is only a half-mile from the beach and Old Orchard Pier. You can camp in you RV or tent but the campground is really more like an upscale resort. There are two heated saltwater pools, 3 hot tubs, a recreational tent with nightly movies and 2 modern playgrounds. Check out the private 5-acre bass pond stocked in your favor or walk down to the beach which is only short walk away.
| Paradise Park Resort and Campground | |
|---|---|
| Location | A half-mile from the ocean |
| Nearest City | Old Orchard Beach |
| RV Sites | 110 sites |
| Tent Sites | 129 sites |
| Picnic Tables at each site | Yes |
| Fire Pit at each site | Yes |
| Amenities | Restrooms, showers, 2 saltwater pools, 3 hot tubs, playgrounds, laundry |
| Pet Friendly | Yes |
| Reservations | Yes |
| What makes it one of the best | Right near the best Oceanside amusement park in Maine! |
3. Sandy Pines Campground
Can you imagine renting kayaks and watching a
humpback whale
breach just yards from your boat (keep a safe distance!). Amazing!
©Claude Huot/Shutterstock.com
Kennebunkport is a popular destination in Maine and the Sandy Pines Campground has several unique places to stay if you are visiting the area. If you are not thrilled about sleeping on an air mattress or above the cab of your camper you might want to try one of the glamping tents at Sandy Pines. The tents have king sized beds, a front patio with a cooler and a mini fridge. There are “couples only” tents for a romantic getaway or family friendly tents with a second smaller tent just outside for the kids. The campground also has traditional RV and tent sites as well as cottages and A-frame huts.
Sandy Pines is only 5 miles northeast of Kennebunkport and only a mile from Goose Rocks Beach. The campground has a heated saltwater pool, Grand Lodge and camp store with everything you need. You can rent kayaks to explore or try a whale watching tour where you might see finbacks, humpbacks and minke whales. Maybe even a pod of multiple whales swimming together!
| Sandy Pines Campground | |
|---|---|
| Location | 5 miles NE of Kennebunkport |
| Nearest City | Kennebunkport, MA |
| RV/Tent Sites | Yes, full hookup as well as just electric and water |
| Glamping Tents | Yes, couples and family options |
| A-Frame Hideaway Huts | Yes, note, no children allowed, couples only |
| Cottages | Yes |
| Picnic Tables at each site | Yes |
| Fire Pit at each site | Yes |
| Amenities | Restrooms, showers, laundry, kayak rentals |
| Pet Friendly | Yes and no, pets are only allowed at the RV and Tent sites not in the Glamping, Huts or Cottages |
| Reservations | Yes |
| What makes it one of the best | Some fun options for accommodations…best glamping experience! |
4. Baxter State Park
At Baxter State Park you might come around a corner on the trail to find this guy getting a morning drink. Did you know moose can get 7 feet tall! Hopefully one doesn’t invade your campsite at Baxter State Park.
©iStock.com/RichardSeeley
Located in central Maine is Baxter State Park with some of the most beautiful mountain landscapes. If you are a hiking enthusiasts then Baxter State Park is one of the best places to camp in Maine this summer! There are 215 miles of trails, where you can see the magnificent Mount Katahdin, towering 5,269’. It is the tallest mountain in Maine and its meaning “Great Mountain” is apparent when you are hiking along the trails in the park.
There are 337 campsites, but be prepared, if you are camping at Baxter it is primitive camping. There are outhouses, but that is about it for amenities! Plan ahead because there is no drinking water (there are natural water sources that need to be treated), no showers, no camp store. Bring what you need and be sure to carry everything out. There are some cabins for rent, like at the Daicey Pond Campground where you can hike, swim, canoe and fish. Fishing for bass, bluegill and sunfish might land some dinner to fry up on the campfire in the evening.
| Baxter State Park | |
|---|---|
| Location | Central Maine |
| Nearest City | Millenocket |
| RV/Tent Sites | Tent only, no RV sites |
| Cabins | Yes, there are couple of campgrounds with cabins |
| Picnic Tables at each site | Some have picnic tables |
| Fire Pit at each site | Some have fire pits |
| Amenities | Outhouses |
| Pet Friendly | No pets allowed |
| Reservations | Yes |
| What makes it one of the best | Some of the best hiking in Maine! |
5. West Quoddy Head: Sunset Point RV Park
You can’t talk about a summer camping trip in Maine without mentioning fresh caught lobster. At the Sunset Point RV Park they have large pots and burners you can use for your very own lobster bake!
©iStock.com/WoodysPhotos
At the northern most tip of Maine’s coast, almost to Canada, is West Quoddy Head. The coast of Maine is dotted by lighthouses but one of the most familiar is the red and white striped lighthouse here. Want to take a virtual tour of the lighthouse before making a reservation at the campground check out the West Quoddy Head virtual tour link. There is a mile-long hiking trail at the lighthouse where you can look for some of the shorebirds like plovers, sandpipers and gannets. Although there is not a campground at the lighthouse there is the Sunset Point RV Park just 4 miles north of the lighthouse near Lubec.
Sunset Point RV Park has campsites right on Johnsons’ Bay. Wake up to have a cup of coffee overlooking the bay before heading out for a day to explore. There are both bayside tent and RV sites. The campground is actually the easternmost campground in the entire U.S! It is a friendly, hometown campground with 29 sites and a hand drawn map on the website. If you happen to catch some lobster or crab you are welcome to use their large pots, burners and propane for a fresh lobster (or crab) bake! Camping at an Oceanside campsite eating fresh caught lobster sounds like the perfect way to spend a summer evening!
| Sunset Point RV Park | |
|---|---|
| Location | Northern Maine, on the coast |
| Nearest City | Lubec, ME |
| RV Sites | 29 sites |
| Tent Sites | 6 sites |
| Picnic Tables at each site | Yes |
| Fire Pit at each site | Yes |
| Amenities | Restrooms, laundry, office |
| Pet Friendly | Yes |
| Reservations | Yes |
| What makes it one of the best | Two words…lobster bake! |
Summary of The 5 Best Places to Camp in Maine this Summer
| Number | Campsite | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Blackwoods Campground | 5 miles south of Bar Harbor, right on the coast |
| 2 | Paradise Park Resort and Campground | a half-mile from the ocean |
| 3 | Sandy Pines Campground | 5 miles NE of Kennebunkport |
| 4 | Baxter State Park | Central Maine |
| 5 | Sunset Point RV Park | Northern Maine, on the coast |
The photo featured at the top of this post is © Jon Bilous/Shutterstock.com
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Sources
- , Available here: https://www.nps.gov/acad/planyourvisit/camping.htm
- , Available here: https://sandypinescamping.com/
- , Available here: https://www.palaceplayland.com/
- , Available here: https://baxterstatepark.org/
- , Available here: https://www.thinglink.com/mediacard/1354557896326643713
- , Available here: https://www.sunsetpointrvpark.com/
