Best Campgrounds near Alton, ME

The forested landscape surrounding Alton, Maine provides a strategic base for camping adventures within central Maine's lakes region. Located approximately 20 miles north of Bangor, this area serves as a gateway to both developed campgrounds and more remote wilderness experiences. Parks Pond Campground in nearby Clifton offers full-service RV sites and cabins with electric hookups, while Pushaw Lake Campground in Orono features waterfront access with boat-in sites. The region's camping options typically include fire rings and picnic tables, with many sites nestled among pine forests or positioned along riverbanks and lake shores.

Camping season in this region generally runs from mid-May through mid-October, with most facilities closing after Columbus Day weekend. Fire permits are required for primitive camping areas, and can be obtained through local forest service offices. According to one camper visiting the KI-Jo-Mary multi-use forest, "Access is over logging roads and you'll definitely encounter fast-moving trucks who have the right of way. They keep the main roads graded." Cell service becomes increasingly limited in areas north of Alton, particularly in the KI-Jo-Mary forest system where visitors report "no cell service, though you can get some spotty coverage sufficient for texting" at certain locations. Weather conditions can change rapidly, with summer temperatures typically ranging from 60-80°F during the day and dropping into the 40-50°F range at night.

Waterfront sites throughout the region are consistently rated highest by visitors, with many campers noting the opportunity to view wildlife. "Great place to fall asleep to the call of the loons, spend your day paddling and fishing," reports one visitor to Long Pond. Several campgrounds near Bangor provide convenient access to urban amenities while maintaining a woodland setting. Pleasant Hill Campground features "spacious sites with connections well placed and in good repair," though some visitors note occasional aircraft noise from the nearby airport. For those seeking more primitive experiences, the logging roads north of Alton lead to remote ponds and streams where moose sightings are common, particularly during early morning and evening hours.

Best Camping Sites Near Alton, Maine (123)

    1. Pumpkin Patch RV Resort

    10 Reviews
    Hermon, ME
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (207) 848-2231

    $50 / night

    "Snowmobile trails behind the campground lead to a walking path that connects the high school and elementary school for a pleasant walk in the woods."

    "We have been here around six times. It’s a quiet peaceful campground. It is very well kept, and the staff is always welcoming. Sites are large and level. Nice walking areas and close to dunkin!"

    2. Micro A-Frame Cabin

    2 Reviews
    Alton, ME
    11 miles
    Website

    $69 / night

    "As a single female - it is QUITE amazing to be able to calm this little piece of peace a joke away from home!"

    "This little slice of peace was well worth the drive! My fiancé and I stayed for just one night and spent the entire time hanging out around the fire or lounging inside the A-Frame."

    3. Paul Bunyan Campground

    4 Reviews
    Bangor, ME
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (207) 941-1177

    "Beautiful campground close to all the attractions"

    "Close to the cross center and the waterfront concerts. Quite"

    4. Pushaw Lake Campground

    1 Review
    Stillwater, ME
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (207) 945-4200

    "The wind was coming right off the lake which made it particularly hard to set up. Blocking the wind with our car was our only choice."

    5. Pleasant Hill Campground

    2 Reviews
    Levant, ME
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (207) 848-5127

    $30 - $50 / night

    "No huge hills, several trash dumpsters conveniently located and even a barrel for animal waste. Bath house conveniently located. Campground has playground, pool and rec room."

    6. Parks Pond Campground

    3 Reviews
    Otis, ME
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (207) 843-7267

    "My spot was right next to road. I honest didn't notice road threw out the night. Water rentals kayaks etc were very reasonable. Staff was very nice."

    "THe all around environment was very welcoming. I will definitely stay again in the future."

    7. Cold River Campground

    1 Review
    Veazie, ME
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (207) 922-2551

    $35 - $75 / night

    8. Bangor Holden KOA

    4 Reviews
    Holden, ME
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (207) 843-6011

    "Quick walk to bathrooms & showers, which are very clean. Held lots of activities over the weekend, busy crowd. Got a nice secluded tent space."

    9. Piscataquis Point

    1 Review
    Medford, ME
    17 miles
    +1 (860) 617-5213

    $65 / night

    "Sitting next to a warm, crackling fire listening to the sound of the river was truly the cherry on top and made for a very relaxing evening."

    10. Maine Star Campground

    1 Review
    Stetson, ME
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (207) 717-7453

    $12 - $20 / night

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Recent Reviews near Alton, ME

358 Reviews of 123 Alton Campgrounds


  • goose10091203 The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 15, 2025

    Machias Rips Campsite

    Nice enough

    There are about 5 spots. Some are rough and not super flat, but it's pretty and the river is right there. You can hear the highway but it's not too bad. Only real negative for me was nowhere to really walk my dogs, nothing even close to a trail nearby. Just the highway.

  • R
    Oct. 10, 2025

    Pumpkin Patch RV Resort

    Fun Fall Stay

    Stayed here in October, the week before they shut down for the season. Staff was friendly and super helpful. Snowmobile trails behind the campground lead to a walking path that connects the high school and elementary school for a pleasant walk in the woods.

  • RThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 6, 2025

    Two Rivers Campground

    Quiet on the River

    Very nice with easy access with wonderful hosts.

  • Jessica D.
    Oct. 5, 2025

    Peaks-Kenny State Park

    It has been an excellent experience.

    Everyone has been really nice, beautiful beach and trails. I got the only walk-in site it might be the best site here

  • TThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 5, 2025

    Machias River Camp off Route 9

    My favorite spot in Maine!!

    Super cool mixed use land with established campsites. 6 or 7 in total I think. Right on Machias river. Great ATT service.

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 27, 2025

    Forest Ridge Campground

    Clean, quiet and affordable

    Stayed here while visiting friends and Acadia NP. Facilities very clean every time I saw them. Showers were nice but you need to wait for the hot water. Run it all hot and it will get there in a little while. Wood available on site. Open spaces in the middle with no trees or shrubs. Campers can be very close. Sides have more wooded sites. Not too many seasonal looking sites. 1 issue: our clean out was a bit high so had to lift sewer hose to clear it out. Didn’t use pool , laundry area worked good , screen porch at facility building. Fire ring worked out well, kept lots of heat in. We were off-season mid September. Reservation system forced us into our site, wants to charge a site selection fee.

  • S
    Sep. 23, 2025

    Bar Harbor/Oceanside KOA

    Nice location, actually on the ocean

    A bit pricey, but it is a nice location and the free island bus stops right at the KOA

  • T
    Sep. 21, 2025

    Spacious Skies Balsam Woods

    Russell

    Very nice staff friendly,everything met our expectations, will definitely book a week for next summer.

  • Anne L.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 21, 2025

    Wilderness Edge Campground

    Nice campground near Millinocket

    Clean campground, clean bath house with laundry.


Guide to Alton

Camping spots near Alton, Maine offer a blend of accessible roadside sites and secluded waterfront locations where the average nighttime summer temperature ranges from 45-55°F. This central Maine region sits at elevations between 100-500 feet above sea level, creating varied terrain for campers across its network of ponds, lakes, and rivers. Road conditions vary significantly from paved highways to rough logging roads that require higher clearance vehicles.

What to do

Fishing from shorelines: Several campgrounds provide direct water access for anglers. At Piscataquis Point, campers can enjoy "sitting next to a warm, crackling fire listening to the sound of the river" while fishing the shoreline for native species.

Kayaking rental options: Paddling opportunities abound with reasonable equipment rentals. At Parks Pond Campground, "water rentals kayaks etc were very reasonable" according to visitors, making it convenient for water enthusiasts without hauling their own equipment.

Day trips to attractions: The central location makes exploring Maine attractions practical. From Pumpkin Patch RV Resort, "Acadia National Park and Bar Harbor are about an hour away and definitely worth a visit," while downtown Bangor offers "some good restaurants, a casino, and a large outdoor concert venue which has big name musical acts throughout the summer."

Dog-friendly exploration: Many sites accommodate pets with dedicated amenities. Pumpkin Patch RV Resort features "a new dog exercise area which has water and toys and is long enough for our Labrador retriever to chase a ball," making it suitable for active dogs.

What campers like

Spacious, level sites: Campers consistently praise sites with adequate room. At Pumpkin Patch RV Resort, "there is pretty good space between sites so you don't feel cramped or right on top of your neighbor. Most sites are level and there are long pull thrus so you don't have to unhitch if you are only staying one night."

Clean facilities: Well-maintained bathrooms rank high among camper priorities. The Bangor Holden KOA receives praise for "quick walk to bathrooms & showers, which are very clean," while Pleasant Hill Campground has "connections well placed and in good repair."

Quiet environments: Many campgrounds maintain peaceful atmospheres despite proximity to roads. At Cold River Campground, the "nice layout" provides separation between sites, while Maine Star Campground offers "primitive, deep wood camping" for those seeking solitude.

Convenient locations: Strategic positioning for both nature access and town amenities matters to campers. Paul Bunyan Campground is "close to all the attractions" and "close to the cross center and the waterfront concerts," making it ideal for those wanting to balance outdoor recreation with entertainment options.

What you should know

Limited cell service: Connectivity varies widely across the region. At Pleasant Hill Campground, campers report "lack of cell coverage for AT&T and if you want internet you must buy a package" with prices around "$69 for 3 devices for 30 days."

Weather preparedness: Wind conditions can significantly impact camping comfort. At Pushaw Lake Campground, waterfront sites experience strong winds: "The wind was coming right off the lake which made it particularly hard to set up. Blocking the wind with our car was our only choice."

Seasonal closures: Most facilities shut down after early October. Cold River Campground operates from "May 1 to October 31," while others like Paul Bunyan Campground run from "Apr 15 to Oct 15," limiting late fall camping options.

Road access challenges: Depending on location, access routes vary in quality. Maine Star Campground provides "primitive, deep wood camping" with level sites but requires vehicles capable of handling rough access roads.

Tips for camping with families

Activity scheduling: Many campgrounds offer organized events for children. At Bangor Holden KOA, families enjoy "lots of organized activities and great Bingo on Saturday night. We did the pancake breakfast for donation, crafts, and wagon ride during the day as well as enjoyed the well kept pool."

Playground access: On-site play areas keep children entertained. Parks Pond Campground features "two wading areas, playground, sand box, laundry and arcade as well as a general store for extras you may have forgotten."

Adult-oriented vs. family options: Some sites cater more to mature campers. Pumpkin Patch RV Resort "caters more to adults and does not have too much for kids to do," making it less suitable for families seeking children's activities.

Food convenience: Many locations offer dining options. The Bangor Holden KOA provides "pizza delivery for dinner one night, the pizza was great!" along with an "ice cream window" that children particularly enjoy.

Tips from RVers

Hookup quality: Full-service sites with reliable connections matter to RV campers. At Micro A-Frame Cabin, the accommodations provide a "quiet piece of peace" with access to toilet facilities but limited hookups, making it better suited for smaller rigs or those with self-contained systems.

Site dimensions: Space for larger vehicles varies between campgrounds. Pleasant Hill Campground offers "spacious sites with connections well placed and in good repair," while Paul Bunyan Campground has "easy sites to get into" but some visitors note they can be "expensive and very close quarters."

Overnight considerations: Pull-through options save time for short stays. Pumpkin Patch RV Resort features "long pull thrus so you don't have to unhitch if you are only staying one night," ideal for travelers making brief stops while passing through the region.

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Alton, ME?

According to TheDyrt.com, Alton, ME offers a wide range of camping options, with 123 campgrounds and RV parks near Alton, ME and 3 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Alton, ME?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Alton, ME is Pumpkin Patch RV Resort with a 4.7-star rating from 10 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Alton, ME?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 3 free dispersed camping spots near Alton, ME.