Camping spots near Alna, Maine range across inland lakeside locations to coastal settings within a 30-minute drive. The region sits at the confluence of the Sheepscot River watershed, with elevations ranging from near sea level to rolling hills reaching 300-400 feet. Summer temperatures average 75-80°F during the day, while nighttime temperatures can drop to 55-60°F even in July.
What to do
Kayaking and canoeing on lakes: Duck Puddle Campground provides water access with personal docks at select sites. "The lake is great for swimming and paddling. The waterfront sites (61-66) offer direct access to the lake and have trees between the site for a more private feel. Some have a private dock for fishing or sitting, others have a small beach area," notes K R.
Foraging and nature exploration: Tops'l Farm offers specialized outdoor activities. "Depending on the weekend, 'extra' offers could also include yoga, foraging, s'mores kits, etc.," shares Heather C. The farm provides a curated outdoor experience with educational components.
Tidal environment exploration: Chewonki Campground showcases Maine's unique tidal ecosystems. "Kayaking, salt water pool and scenic walking trails blends in with the variety of singing birds under several tall pine trees," notes Cheryl R. The campground sits on a river with significant tidal changes, creating different landscapes throughout the day.
Farm-based activities: Wolfe's Neck Oceanfront Campground combines camping with agricultural experiences. "The working farm is open to visit and walk around. Pet the baby cows and see the pigs and goats. they have a ton of activities going on through the summer," shares Tiffany N.
What campers like
Waterfront camping access: Sites directly on water consistently receive highest ratings. At Duck Puddle Campground, "The site we had was on the water and had great views. It was surrounded by trees and had decent spacing between neighbors," according to Rachel S.
Clean facilities despite age: While several campgrounds have older bathrooms, maintenance is prioritized. At Shore Hills Campground, "Bathrooms very clean. It's a quarter for a shower but that's fine with me," notes Val.
Local food and dining options: Boothbay Craft Brewery & RV Resort combines camping with culinary experiences. "The brewery is really cool, and the wood fired pizza is some of my favorite. The folks who run this place are really friendly and accommodating," says Joe R.
Seasonal activities: Many campgrounds offer scheduled events. At Duck Puddle Campground, "They had a band play on Sat night and large bonfire. Everyone was invited to attend if they wanted to. Nice family friendly campground," reports Rachel S.
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Summer weekends require advance planning. At Shore Hills Campground & RV Park, "Old school in that you have to call to make reservations and they do not accept credit cards," reports Rachel S.
Site selection considerations: Location within campgrounds significantly impacts experience. At Shore Hills, "Nice campground with a mix of tent/rv sites some in the woods, some by the river and some pretty close to the road. The sites were fairly close to each other but we had a site at the end that had wonderful views of the river."
Tide scheduling: Coastal campgrounds require awareness of tidal schedules. At Shore Hills, "The river is tidal and so unless you want to wade threw mud there is not access beyond a couple hours around high tide."
Terrain variation: Site conditions vary by location. At Duck Puddle Campground, one reviewer noted issues with drainage: "The lay of the land is sloped and they need to improve drainage of run off. The site was very wet with standing water making most of the site unusable."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Lake Pemaquid Campground provides multiple child-friendly areas. "There are several playgrounds for the kids and even a small arcade for rainy days. We loved it here and found everyone to be very friendly," shares Tara N.
Animal interaction opportunities: At Wolfe's Neck Oceanfront Campground, kids can engage with farm animals. "My son loved the working farm. Close hiking trails," notes Mike C. This provides educational opportunities beyond typical camping activities.
Supervised water activities: Duck Puddle Campground offers monitored swimming areas. "Great beach for swimming, playground for playing. We have already booked our next trip in a few weeks!" says Andrew G.
Evening entertainment: Several campgrounds offer scheduled activities. "They had a band play on Sat night and large bonfire. Everyone was invited to attend if they wanted to," shares Rachel S. about Duck Puddle Campground.
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: At Boothbay Craft Brewery & RV Resort, site configuration matters. "We were in Site 13; it was level and easy enough to back into but just a tad challenging when it was time to leave (we were ok with our 18-foot van, but a larger rig would definitely have trouble)," advises Lee D.
Full hookup locations: Several campgrounds offer complete RV services with various site types. "We could have chosen lakefront but they were just water and electric and since we were staying 4 days we chose the full hookup in a nicely wooded site," notes Carol C. at Duck Puddle Campground.
Level site availability: Site condition varies by campground and specific site. At Augusta/Gardiner KOA, "The sites are level but the campground is in a hill. There is lots of room for kids to play," reports Kelly F.
Road noise considerations: Location within campgrounds affects ambient noise. At Boothbay Craft Brewery, "If there is a down side to the park it would be the road noise. You are right off of Rt. 27, which is the main road into Boothbay Harbor."
