The 5 Best Places to Camp in Maine this Summer

Written by Cindy Rasmussen
Updated: July 1, 2023
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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

Acadia National Park

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
Location5 miles south of Bar Harbor, right on the coast
Nearest CityBar Harbor
RV sites60 sites, all are non-electric
Tent sites221 sites, all are non-electric
Picnic Tables at each siteYes
Fire Pit at each siteYes
AmenitiesRestrooms, water
Pet FriendlyYes, pets must be leashed at all times
ReservationsYes, required, no same day availability
What makes it one of the bestCamping right along the coast with views of Cadillac Mountain!

2. Old Orchard Beach: Paradise Park Resort and Campground

Sea Bright beach

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
LocationA half-mile from the ocean
Nearest CityOld Orchard Beach
RV Sites110 sites
Tent Sites129 sites
Picnic Tables at each siteYes
Fire Pit at each siteYes
AmenitiesRestrooms, showers, 2 saltwater pools,
3 hot tubs, playgrounds, laundry
Pet FriendlyYes
ReservationsYes
What makes it one of the bestRight near the best Oceanside amusement
park in Maine!

3. Sandy Pines Campground

Heaviest Animals: Whales

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 CityKennebunkport, MA
RV/Tent SitesYes, full hookup as well as just electric and water
Glamping TentsYes, couples and family options
A-Frame Hideaway HutsYes, note, no children allowed, couples only
CottagesYes
Picnic Tables at each siteYes
Fire Pit at each siteYes
AmenitiesRestrooms, showers, laundry, kayak rentals
Pet FriendlyYes and no, pets are only allowed at the RV and Tent sites not in the Glamping, Huts or Cottages
ReservationsYes
What makes it one of the bestSome fun options for accommodations…best glamping experience!

4. Baxter State Park

What do moose eat

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
LocationCentral Maine
Nearest CityMillenocket
RV/Tent SitesTent only, no RV sites
CabinsYes, there are couple of campgrounds with cabins
Picnic Tables at each siteSome have picnic tables
Fire Pit at each siteSome have fire pits
AmenitiesOuthouses
Pet FriendlyNo pets allowed
ReservationsYes
What makes it one of the bestSome of the best hiking in Maine!

5. West Quoddy Head: Sunset Point RV Park

Main lobster fishing

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
LocationNorthern Maine, on the coast
Nearest CityLubec, ME
RV Sites29 sites
Tent Sites6 sites
Picnic Tables at each siteYes
Fire Pit at each siteYes
AmenitiesRestrooms, laundry, office
Pet FriendlyYes
ReservationsYes
What makes it one of the bestTwo words…lobster bake!

Summary of The 5 Best Places to Camp in Maine this Summer

NumberCampsiteLocation
1Blackwoods Campground5 miles south of Bar Harbor, right on the coast
2Paradise Park Resort and Campgrounda half-mile from the ocean
3Sandy Pines Campground 5 miles NE of Kennebunkport
4Baxter State ParkCentral Maine
5Sunset Point RV ParkNorthern Maine, on the coast

The photo featured at the top of this post is © Jon Bilous/Shutterstock.com


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About the Author

I'm a Wildlife Conservation Author and Journalist, raising awareness about conservation by teaching others about the amazing animals we share the planet with. I graduated from the University of Minnesota-Morris with a degree in Elementary Education and I am a former teacher. When I am not writing I love going to my kids' soccer games, watching movies, taking on DIY projects and running with our giant Labradoodle "Tango".

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Sources
  1. , Available here: https://www.nps.gov/acad/planyourvisit/camping.htm
  2. , Available here: https://sandypinescamping.com/
  3. , Available here: https://www.palaceplayland.com/
  4. , Available here: https://baxterstatepark.org/
  5. , Available here: https://www.thinglink.com/mediacard/1354557896326643713
  6. , Available here: https://www.sunsetpointrvpark.com/