Campgrounds around Alna, Maine operate primarily from May through mid-October, with most closing after the fall foliage season. RV parks near Alna offer varying levels of connectivity, with stronger cell signals typically available in larger towns like Brunswick. During peak summer and early fall, temperatures average 70-80°F with cooler evenings dropping to 50-60°F, requiring light jackets for evening campfires.
What to do
Kayaking on Penobscot Bay: The coastal waters near Rockport provide excellent paddling opportunities. "There is great hiking and beautiful views at the nearby Camden Hills State Park," notes a visitor at Camden Hills RV Resort.
Explore islands by ferry: Take a day trip from the mainland to experience Maine's island communities. "We loved taking the ferry to Vinalhaven Island for the day and picking up prepared food at the Market Basket and eating it along the Rockland Harbor waterfront watching the boats come and go," reports a camper from Camden Hills RV Resort.
Visit botanical gardens: Make time for seasonal displays of native Maine flora. "Don't miss the Guardians of the Seeds (trolls) at the Botanical Gardens!" recommends a reviewer who stayed at Boothbay Craft Brewery & RV Resort, calling it "truly a one of a kind campground."
Hiking at nature preserves: The midcoast region features well-maintained trail systems. "Nearby is the Ovens Mouth Preserve which has great hiking and nice water views and is just one of many nature preserves in the area which all are very nice, well-marked, well-maintained, and dog-friendly," according to a visitor to Shore Hills Campground.
What campers like
Fresh seafood access: The region's fishing heritage means abundant seafood options. "For fresh lobster we head down to the waterfront to Atlantic Edge Lobster," mentions a reviewer from Shore Hills Campground, while another notes, "We had the lobster pizza" at Boothbay Craft Brewery & RV Resort.
Dark night skies: Minimal light pollution allows for excellent stargazing in certain areas. "The upper sites where we are have a great view of the sky for Starlink users," explains a reviewer at Greenlaw's RV Park & Campground, who also appreciated that the campground was "quiet" and "remote."
Waterfront camping sites: Direct water access ranks highly among visitor preferences. "We had a site at the end that had wonderful views of the river and we could angle our camper so we had privacy. The river is tidal and so unless you want to wade threw mud there is not access beyond a couple hours around high tide," describes a camper at Shore Hills Campground & RV Park.
Cedar showers: Unique bathroom facilities receive consistent praise at certain campgrounds. "The cedar showers are awesome! We've been excited to come back here since we left," writes a visitor to Meguniticook by the Sea Campground. Another camper adds, "I made use of the cedar showers for a long hot shower- awesome! Crystal clean bathrooms."
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Summer camping requires advance planning. "Once your reservation is made (we texted the owner to make ours) reservations are on the honor system that you show up. No prepayment was required. An invoice is emailed to you with payment options the morning after you check in," reports a camper at Greenlaw's RV Park.
Dump station and hookup variations: Sewer connections aren't universal at all parks. At Thomas Point Beach and Campground, "There's no water or sewer hook ups so fill ur water tank before parking," advises a reviewer.
Internet connectivity challenges: WiFi quality varies substantially between campgrounds. "The wifi was a joke and we got frustrated and gave up. Not sure if it is any better in other areas of the park but it seems to be a common complaint that they tend not to fix," notes a Shore Hills visitor, while at Thomas Point Beach, a camper states, "The WiFi is non existent so if I wanna b off grid then this is the spot for u."
Tidal considerations: Coastal camping means planning around tides. "Be careful if you use the boat launch that you don't get stuck on a mud flat when the 9-11' tide disappears," warns a Shore Hills camper.
Tips for camping with families
Beach access proximity: Several campgrounds offer convenient access to swimming areas. "A nice short walk to the white sands beach and short drive to sightseeing," notes a visitor to Sherwood Forest Campsite.
Playground availability: On-site recreational facilities benefit families with children. "The campground is fairly small with a few amenities like a swimming pool, clubhouse, volleyball and basketball courts," mentions a Camden Hills RV Resort visitor.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Local fauna provides educational experiences. "Listened to the loons, watched Canadian Geese with their goslings and saw a bald eagle swoop down and try to get something," reports a camper at Augusta West Kampground.
Family-friendly activities: Some campgrounds organize scheduled events. "This spot is gorgeous! I live relatively close and after camping there for a friends wedding we have been back every year," writes a Thomas Point Beach visitor, noting the campground "hosts some amazing events for the community from music to car shows to weddings."
Tips from RVers
Extension cord requirements: Some parks have unique electrical setups. "The electrical hook ups are like 1 box for every 10 camping spots so they r kinda far away so make sure u have an extension cord of some sort," advises a visitor to Thomas Point Beach.
Navigating tight spaces: Larger rigs face challenges at certain campgrounds. "We had to go pretty slow to avoid hitting tree branches. Parking under the pines also meant a lot of sap on our roof which was a bear to remove," reports a Camden Hills RV Resort reviewer.
Site selection for larger rigs: Not all sites accommodate bigger vehicles. "Our site was level but some are not very level and would have been a problem for us," notes a Camden Hills visitor, while at Boothbay Craft Brewery, a camper in site 13 said 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)."
Road noise considerations: Highway proximity affects some campgrounds. "The only downside to this park is traffic noise from Route 1. Not bad at night but it does start early in the morning," mentions a Meguniticook by the Sea camper.