Best Dog-Friendly Camping near Buxton, ME

Wild Duck Adult Campground & RV Park welcomes pets with spacious sites and clean facilities near Scarborough Marsh. Most pet-friendly campgrounds in the area accommodate dogs in tent sites, RV spots, and cabin rentals, with Wild Duck offering a quiet environment particularly suitable for campers with well-behaved pets. Bayley's Camping Resort and Sandy Pines Campground also allow pets while providing full hookups, showers, and fire rings. Wassamki Springs Campground features waterfront sites where campers can enjoy the pond with their pets, though swimming areas have specific pet restrictions. Most campgrounds require proof of rabies vaccination for dogs, and sites typically include picnic tables and fire rings for comfortable outdoor enjoyment. The tent areas at Wild Duck are somewhat limited and placed close together, making RV camping a better option for those traveling with pets.

The Eastern Trail through Scarborough Marsh provides excellent pet exercise opportunities within a mile of Wild Duck Campground. Campers consistently note the exceptionally clean facilities at pet-friendly campgrounds in the area, with bathhouses and grounds well-maintained throughout the camping season. While mosquitoes can be problematic in certain areas, especially near the marshlands where Wild Duck is located, advance preparation with bug spray is essential when camping with pets. Most campgrounds in the Buxton area operate seasonally, typically from May through mid-October, with several parks offering premium waterfront sites where wildlife viewing adds to the pet camping experience. Paradise Park Resort and Old Orchard Beach Campground provide convenient locations for accessing nearby beaches and trails where leashed pets may be permitted during certain hours or seasons.

Best Dog-Friendly Sites Near Buxton, Maine (167)

    1. Wild Duck Adult Campground & RV Park

    16 Reviews
    Saco, ME
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (207) 883-4432

    "Spent three nights in a nice sized, quiet spot, on the camps’ outside loop. The park is well located, near the beach, shopping, and with access to Portland."

    "This adult only campground is peaceful and quiet, with the sounds of birds and the trees being the main thing you hear - it is quite relaxing.  "

    2. Bayley's Camping Resort

    17 Reviews
    Saco, ME
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (207) 883-6043

    "We like to stay in the “south section” which tends to have less kids because it is farther away from the “action.”"

    "Right next to the road. So yes lots of family glamping fun. But not for those looking for a more visceral Maine camping experience."

    3. Old Orchard Beach Campground

    12 Reviews
    Ocean Park, ME
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (207) 934-4477

    $100 - $145 / night

    "There is a small, but very well-kept dog park.  On top of all that there is pinball, Pac-Man, and pool table! "

    "There are lots of amenities in the campground like a basketball court, Wiffle ball field, horseshoes, badminton, playgrounds, arcade, swimming pools and hot tub, group bonfire, and dog park."

    4. Sandy Pines Campground

    22 Reviews
    Cape Porpoise, ME
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (207) 967-2483

    "Beautiful setting, lots of trees, bordering on beautiful marsh area. Many different types of campsites: rent, RV, seasonal RV, cottages, glamping tents and cabins etc."

    "Dogs are welcome. Big rig friendly. Very close to attractions and restaurants and stores. We will be back next year with friends. We camped in our Minnie Winnie travel trailer."

    5. Paradise Park Resort

    8 Reviews
    Saco, ME
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (207) 934-4633

    $63 / night

    "Great campground, it is walking distance to Old Orchard beach and has large sites. Many family activities including fishing, 2 pools, a dog park, and a snack shack."

    "Lots of barking dogs."

    6. Wassamki Springs Campground

    5 Reviews
    Gorham, ME
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (207) 839-4276

    $30 - $390 / night

    "One unique thing that I liked was that each spot had multiple faucet hookups which may not always be necessary but it was a nice thing to have when we needed to run water outside without having to unhook"

    "Pond is warm water and sandy entrances although a little mucky further in from fallen pine needles. Water shoes suggested. Well organized events even in a pandemic. Cleaning done constantly."

    7. Wild Acres Sun RV Resort

    7 Reviews
    Ocean Park, ME
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (207) 934-2535

    $60 - $400 / night

    "This was a nicely shaded and quiet park, even with kids running around. There was a nice pool for the kiddos, as well as kayaks and water toys for the pond, which looks like a lake."

    "Extremely crowded, close sites, and heavy car traffic in walking and bike areas. Sun night was way quieter than Fri and Sat night."

    8. Wassamki Spring Camping Area

    5 Reviews
    Gorham, ME
    6 miles
    +1 (207) 839-4276

    "Nice place, good people convenient location"

    9. Sebago Lake State Park Campground

    21 Reviews
    Naples, ME
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (207) 693-6613

    $25 - $30 / night

    "Sebego Lake SP does Not allow pets. I suggeat looking for a care taker fir your dog  It specifically tells you this when you try to reserve a campsite . the Day use area does allow dogs . leashed . "

    "Sebago Lake State Park is close to Portland, Maine and neighboring towns. Nice to be close to home so the drive to arrive isn’t so long. Nice scenery and helpful staff. An enjoyable weekend."

    10. Acres Of Wildlife Family Campground

    9 Reviews
    Sebago, ME
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (207) 675-2267

    "I felt it was very awesome that they tag your pets incase they get loose somehow then they can be returned to you. They also gift them nice milk bones."

    "A lot of families around but it wasn’t distracting since the sites were private enough. Definitely recommend!"

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Showing results 1-10 of 167 campgrounds

Dog-Friendly Camping Reviews near Buxton, ME

942 Reviews of 167 Buxton Campgrounds


  • Marla B.
    Jul. 15, 2022

    Chocorua KOA

    Beautiful campground in the mountains of NH

    The grounds are well maintained with flowers planted everywhere. Staff is extra friendly. Bathrooms and showers could use updating but were spotless. Very pet friendly with dog park, agility equipment, dog pond and dog wash.

  • Paulina B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 21, 2024

    Thousand Trails Moody Beach

    Consider Thousand Trails Membership for Better Value

    Consider the Thousand Trails membership when booking this site. Our annual membership fees basically covered what it would cost to camp here for two weeks.

    The campground has good proximity to Orchard Beach and Portland. However, the spots are pretty tight, and the WiFi is awful away from the registration office. We were in the wooded area, but those camping on the outskirts seemed able to utilize their Starlink.

    The dog park and pool were small but nice. The bathroom facilities were pretty good, though they weren't cleaned as often as they should be.

  • C
    Apr. 11, 2021

    Paradise Park Resort

    Great clean campground

    Great campground, it is walking distance to Old Orchard beach and has large sites. Many family activities including fishing, 2 pools, a dog park, and a snack shack.

  • Erin M.
    Jul. 15, 2018

    Chocorua KOA

    Small, quiet family campground

    The Chocorua KOA is a great campground with super friendly staff, a variety of sites and lots of activities and things to do for everyone in the family.

    We stayed with two other families on pull-through full hook-up sites 43, 45, and 47. Although we were on the main road, we really enjoyed these sites. They were wooded and in a central location close to the playgrounds, pavilion, beach and nature trails. Site 45 was pretty narrow but the other two sites had a bit more space so we mostly used 43 and 47 to hang out. We especially loved that the pull-through road behind our sites was not a main access road so we had a nice long stretch of road that was just for us. We played games and the kids road bikes without having to worry about cars driving through.

    There are also a lot of really nice tent sites along the water, cabins, teepees, lodges and great areas for groups to camp. They are fairly strict with quiet hours so it is a very quiet campground at night.

    The facilities are nice and clean. The pavilion and fire pit area are a nice place to gather with games and a mining station to enjoy. There are two playgrounds for little and big kids. The bathrooms are quite dated but clean. The pool is freezing cold so the kids didn’t swim much. The beach area is small and not deep enough to swim but the kids enjoyed playing in the sand and water. There are a lot of options for boat rentals- paddle boats, kayaks, canoes, paddle boards, and row boats. There is a beautiful board walk that leads through the marsh to a system of short nature trails. We really enjoyed walking the trails though some need a lot of work due to fallen trees and overgrowth. There were also a lot of free activities for the kids like crafts, wagon rides and games with a full schedule of events. You really never have to leave this campground!

    This is also an incredibly dog-friendly campground with a fun dog park, a special swimming pond just for dogs and doggie day care available. This is one of the most pet loving campgrounds we’ve ever camped in and our pup loved it!!

    We had a great trip and will definitely be back!

  • Ryan P.
    Aug. 31, 2022

    Gunstock Campground

    Amazing stay

    Large campsites, clean amenities, nice dog park, great store with everything you need and located near like Winni.

  • pThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 15, 2022

    Sun Outdoors Saco Old Orchard Beach

    Great place

    Absolutely beautiful! Clean, quiet, had a shaded site near the dog park which was awesome for us with our pups

  • A
    Oct. 4, 2022

    Sun Outdoors Old Orchard Beach Downtown

    Great Campsite

    Reservations online was super easy, and the hosts are great. They allowed me to drive around and look at the other campsites as I was needing a site with limited/no tree coverage. Plus I’m still learning how to handle my van, so was looking for a very flat spot. Bathrooms are nice and clean, the grounds are nice and clean, and the dog park is a great bonus.

  • Allura B.
    Sep. 26, 2021

    Terrace Pines Camping Area

    Beautiful camp site

    Upon arrival staff was nice. They did ask for $10 cash gate card fee. At the time of rival I did not have cash on me. They did allow me to pay it later on during our visit. As we traveled the road to our camp site I was disappointed in the condition of the roads and how tight everything is. Again, the campsite was beautiful with access and frontage on the pond. I was also not impressed with the dog park it was quite a hike from our campsite and near the office. It would have been nicer to have the dog park in the camping area. The day we were leaving we made a special trip to the atm, to get the required $10 cash fee. As we departed I went into the office to check out, return the gate card, and pay the fee. At that time, I handed the clerk the $10 and explained that I owed it. She in turn explained that I did not owe them any money as the $10 was a deposit in case you did not return the card. I was less than impressed with how that was explained at the beginning and the additional trip we had to make.

  • Allura B.
    Sep. 26, 2021

    Foothills Family Campground

    ‘Foothills

    It was an easy campground to navigate. We were so fortunate, we stayed at another campground and check out was at noon. We were sitting on the side of the foothills entrance ( check in time was 2:00), the owner allowed us to enter early. I would like to thank him very much for that. The new owners are working diligently on updating the facilities and working very hard doing it. While we were there they were working on one of the roads that got a bit washed out, and also working on updating the dog park. Campground is very clean. Only draw back was it is very close to Route 16 and some places in campground were a bit noisy. We were so happy to have visited this site!


Guide to Buxton

Camping near Buxton, Maine offers year-round opportunities with peak season running May through mid-October. The region sits between coastal marshlands and inland forests, creating diverse ecosystems for wildlife viewing and outdoor recreation. Most campgrounds in the area operate seasonally and require advance reservations during summer months when temperatures average 75-80°F.

What to do

Water activities at Wassamki Springs Campground: The campground features a spring-fed pond that's perfect for non-motorized boating and fishing. "You can fish in the pond (catch and release only). You can paddle (no motorized boats) and swim," notes Nancy W. The pond has specific swimming restrictions, so check rules before entering.

Biking near Old Orchard Beach Campground: Old Orchard Beach Campground offers easy cycling access to nearby attractions. "If you have a bicycle it is a quick 15-minute ride to the beach," says Shawn B. Many campgrounds connect to local multi-use trails including the Eastern Trail through Scarborough Marsh.

Dog walking at Sandy Pines Campground: Sandy Pines Campground provides designated pet exercise areas and nearby trails for dog owners. "For those so inclined, there is great mountain biking either through the Tyler Preserve down to Cape Porpoise or North through the Emmitt Smith Preserve," according to Joe R. Most dog-friendly campgrounds near Buxton require proof of rabies vaccination.

What campers like

Quiet adult-only camping: Wild Duck Adult Campground & RV Park offers a peaceful environment for adult campers. "This adult only campground is peaceful and quiet, with the sounds of birds and the trees being the main thing you hear - it is quite relaxing," writes Heather C. The campground sits on Scarborough Marsh, providing a tranquil alternative to family-oriented parks.

Kayaking opportunities: Paradise Park Resort provides water access for paddling enthusiasts. "There's also paddleboats available to rent," mentions Tonisha T. Many pet-accommodating campgrounds near Buxton feature water access points where dogs can join paddling adventures with proper flotation devices.

Entertainment options: Bayley's Camping Resort offers numerous amenities beyond basic camping. "They have pools, hot tubs live entertainment, mini golf, fishing, kayaking. Almost anything you want to do while camping they've got it here," says Logan S. Several campgrounds provide free shuttle services to local beaches and attractions.

What you should know

Mosquito preparation: Marshy locations near Scarborough can have significant insect activity. "The mosquitoes were TERRIBLE. In the time it took after we parked the camper, to when I could dig the bug spray out of our truck I was covered in bites," warns Megan W. about Wild Duck Campground. Bring appropriate repellent, especially during June and July evenings.

Train noise considerations: Some campgrounds advertising ocean proximity actually sit near train tracks. "The campground map is missing the train tracks that are between the campground and the ocean. The trains all blow there horn and you will hear it if your at one of the site 'by the ocean'," cautions Bryan about Wild Acres Sun RV Resort.

Site spacing variations: Many campgrounds have inconsistent spacing between sites. "The sites are pretty close together but we had no issues with noise," reports Kelli T. about Wild Duck Campground. Request specific site numbers when making reservations if privacy is important to your camping experience.

Tips for camping with families

Activity-focused destinations: Acres of Wildlife Family Campground specializes in family entertainment. "They had three (!!) playgrounds, a swimming lake, kayaks, canoes, paddleboats, tie-dying, a great camp store, a bar for adults, ice cream bar for kids and nightly firetruck rides!" says Jenna P. Many pet-welcoming campgrounds near Buxton offer dedicated children's programming.

Seasonal themed weekends: Several family-oriented campgrounds host special events. "We went the last weekend they were open for the season (sometime in October) and it was a blast!" reports Jordyn T. about Acres of Wildlife. Halloween weekends are particularly popular at family campgrounds, with decorating contests and trick-or-treating opportunities.

Bathroom accessibility: When camping with young children, choose sites near facilities. "Bathrooms were clean. The tent sites are pretty close to each other but we had no issues with noise," notes Kelli T. Family-friendly campgrounds typically offer modern restrooms with hot showers and dish washing stations.

Tips from RVers

Site selection strategy: For RVers seeking quieter experiences, certain campground sections offer more privacy. "We like to stay in the 'south section' which tends to have less kids because it is farther away from the 'action,'" advises Nancy W. about Sebago Lake State Park Campground. Many dog-friendly campgrounds near Buxton have designated sections for different camping styles.

Hookup placement awareness: Utility locations vary widely between campgrounds. "Be sure to bring extensions for electrical and sewer as a lot of sites are set up with difficult connection spots," suggests Ed C. about Acres of Wildlife Campground. Pack extra-length hoses and cables, especially for back-in sites.

Internet connectivity considerations: Working campers should check connectivity options. "Phone and internet service were not very good at all. We have Verizon and were barely able to use it. And their wi-fi was basically useless," notes Charlie & Danielle B. about Wassamki Springs Campground. Most campgrounds offer limited WiFi near office areas only.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Buxton, ME?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Buxton, ME is Wild Duck Adult Campground & RV Park with a 4-star rating from 16 reviews.

What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Buxton, ME?

TheDyrt.com has all 167 dog-friendly camping locations near Buxton, ME, with real photos and reviews from campers.