207 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Campgrounds in the Andover, Maine area provide a mix of developed and primitive camping opportunities nestled in western Maine's mountains and forests. Lone Mountain River Front Campground in Andover offers tent, RV, and cabin accommodations with both hookup and primitive riverside sites. South Arm Campground, situated on the shores of Lower Richardson Lake, provides boat-in access and waterfront camping about 8 miles northwest of Andover. Several campgrounds in the area feature sites for both tent and RV camping, with some offering full hookups and others maintaining a more rustic experience.
Most campgrounds in the Andover region operate seasonally from May through September or early October, with peak season during July and August. The area experiences cool mountain weather that can change rapidly, particularly at higher elevations. Cell service varies significantly throughout the region, with limited coverage at many campgrounds. Water and electric hookups are available at several facilities, though primitive riverside sites without amenities remain popular for their natural setting. A camper noted that "As most campers know, last summer was about as wet as it gets so mosquito population was a little bothersome. Camp fire wood was also very damp."
Riverside camping represents a distinctive feature of the Andover area experience, with Ellis River access available at Lone Mountain and other waterways accessible from various campgrounds. Campers particularly appreciate the clean facilities and quiet atmosphere at smaller campgrounds like Grafton Notch, where one visitor described it as "a small, fifteen site campground located on the Bear River, and it is immaculate." The proximity to hiking trails, including sections of the Appalachian Trail and Grafton Notch State Park, makes these campgrounds popular bases for outdoor exploration. The area provides good dark sky viewing opportunities for astronomy enthusiasts, with one camper mentioning, "on the one night we saw clear sky I was amazed how a dark sky looks being from Boston area."
"Nice trail to the river next to our site. Dog friendly. Fun little scavenger hunt for kids of all ages. Short walk over to Coos Canyon rest area with great swim holes."
"We stayed at the main campground in 2021. The campground was a nice place and the sites are generally under shaded trees and included electric and water."
from $30 - $210 / night
Check Availability"This campground is privately owned and is situated in an amazing spot in the mountains of Western Maine."
"This small, private campground just outside Grafton Notch State Park offers clean, level, quiet sites with hot showers. If you don’t need wi-fi and hook-ups, this is the place for you!"
from $28 / night
Check Availability"Our camp sites were next to each other but also very private. No water or electricity except at the main bathrooms where there are showers, toilets and a dish wash station. Beautiful lake!"
"Mount Blue is an awesome Maine State Park about 2 hrs. north-west of Portland, 1hr from the White Mts. in NH and 1.5 hours from the Quebec border. "
from $20 - $30 / night
Check Availability"Very nice has a pool close to grafton state park"
"Sites are a little close to each other, but they're very long. Great pool, fun rec room area (we learned how to play shuffleboard!) We were the 2nd tiny house there!"
"This campground is right on the lake with access to boating and fishing. The bathrooms are clean and also nice showers. The overall layout of the sites is a little weird as you pull around."
"In addition, there are a few pit toilets scattered around. Sites are generally small and wooded, but sites 1a-d and 3-4 are open/sunny and near the beach."
from $45 - $80 / night
Check Availability"This is my 2nd year returning to lone mountain river front camping in Andover Maine. The peace and tranquility here is tough to beat."
"We've been wilderness camping on Lake Richardson with South Arm Campground for many, many years. "
"There remote campsites along the lake. The campground is very dog friendly and being a dog owner I found that great."
"Access to park amenities like lake and hiking trails. Have camped here in summer (be prepared for bugs) and winter (no services) and enjoyed every visit."
"The sites closer to the lake have some standing water surrounding the sites. Stayed in 5 and it was super dry."
from $20 - $40 / night
Check Availability"Absolutely beautiful positioning next to a river. Clean sites - many covered in grass with wildflowers which were stunning."
"It is also near Umbagog National Wildlife Refuge where you can view moose and loons galore! I've enjoyed kayaking and photography there. "
from $29 - $40 / night
Check Availability"It is very close to the highway so there there is some traffic noise but not bad. Tents are in a different area."
"There was a very cool suspension bridge to take you to on a walk to a private island. I definitely plan on visiting again!"
ScoutI’ve camped at many campgrounds on the Saco. Canal bridge is by far the best. Jeff is an amazing caretaker. Always respectful and helpful. Floating from swans falls back to the campground is absolutely beautiful. I’ll be back year after year.
TravelerAmazing spot, great area! Plentyyy of room. Between sites 10 & 11 is the longest distance out the bunch and enjoyed that because it was easy to run a generator at any hour of the day with no one able to be disturbed by it. Loved Haystack Road overall. Had strong AT&T reception even with 1 - 2 bars.
ScoutAll sites are at the top of the hill. Very walkable. Lots of seasonal campers with RVs and ATVs. Owners are very accommodating. Water is available though you have to fill up your own tanks via a community tank and ATV. Quiet and people are nice and helpful.
TravelerEnjoyed staying here. Very quiet. But lot more expensive than it says.
ScoutKids and dog loved the campground and floating on the river. Lots to do nearby with little kids too, story land only about 20min drive away
TravelerSecluded walk behind camp to river or across to 2 brooks. Safe usually great camp neighbors plenty of room for small trailers or vans.
TravelerFirst to camp at opening my spot is actually spot 2 but spot 1 is covered over so appears as 1st camp. 8 spots available before bridge gate. 2 just past gate possibly more. 2 rv / trailer spots small trailers. 3 river spots beautiful one is 2 parts group campsite. Bio luminescent roots at night due to wood decomposition from logging also known as fairy glow.. Great spot just being developed again. Sites are fairly close if u have some hyper pups. Lol
TravelerI was passing through this area in early June. I was looking for a place to spend the night. Knowing that there was a state park nearby, I headed that way. As usual, I found this beautiful large State Park. I did not use the restrooms or any of those amenities, but they look to be relatively new. The park ranger I met was wonderful, helpful, and we had a wonderful gab session while he told me all about the park and the area. The sites were very private and well taken care of. I had a wonderful sleep in a very quiet beautiful setting.
LegendCouldn’t ask for better sites, both sites 9 & 12 were very private and only a short walk through the woods to setup camp along the river. Sites are far from each other and we did not hear anyone else the whole time. Mosquitos were not bad either, but did see some large spiders and lots of other insects. No cell service once you get into the forest.
Access - Area was very easy to get to, turn onto Town Hall Road, and follow (about 5 miles) to the National Forest Welcome signage. Don’t need 4WD for get to most of the sites when the roads are dry, but very tight single lane dirt road the whole way. I did see a 5th wheel (probably 30ft long) but not sure I would attempt to bring anything larger than a teardrop here.
There are 24 sites in total, half are on the main road into the forest, and near the end take a left to access the other sites. Pretty much all sites were taken both Friday & Saturday by 7:30, we got lucky on Saturday and a spot opened just as we were leaving to find another place for the night.
Camping spots near Andover, Maine provide access to some of North America's darkest night skies, with elevations ranging from 700 to 1,000 feet in the region. Mountain weather patterns can change rapidly, with July and August temperatures typically ranging from 50-80°F but capable of dropping into the 40s overnight. The surrounding region features numerous ATV trails connecting directly to several campgrounds.
Gold panning adventures: Coos Canyon offers unique prospecting opportunities for campers. "Rent a pan or sluice from the coos canyon rock and gem shop a 3 min walk from the office and pan for gold in the river right from the campground!" notes David B. from Coos Canyon Campground and Cabins.
Waterfall exploration: The region features numerous accessible waterfalls within short driving distances. A visitor at Grafton Notch Campground shares that "Angel Falls was amazing, Coos Canyon is awesome, and the local views are stunning." Several falls offer swimming opportunities during summer months.
Dark sky astronomy: The limited light pollution creates excellent stargazing conditions. Jeffrey S. at Lone Mountain River Front Campground notes, "On the one night we saw clear sky I was amazed how a dark sky looks being from Boston area." Bring binoculars or telescopes to take advantage of these viewing opportunities.
Paddling options: The interconnected waterways provide various difficulty levels for paddlers. "Ellis pond and Webb lake were close and great to take to canoe out. Worth the trip up to rangeley roughly 40 miles from the camp," recommends Matthew H. Many campgrounds rent equipment, and some offer shuttles to facilitate river trips.
Wildlife viewing: The region hosts diverse wildlife, particularly at dawn and dusk. A visitor to Mount Blue State Park Campground notes, "I would hear loons in the early mornings and go down to watch the sunrise." Moose sightings are possible throughout the area, especially near water sources.
Trailhead proximity: Many Andover area camping locations provide convenient access to hiking networks. A camper at Mount Blue State Park Campground shares that it's "Literally 5 minutes down the road to the turnout for Tumbledown and Little Jackson Mountains. Short drive to Weld and the rest of Mt. Blue State Park hiking and blueberry picking."
Clean facilities: Despite the rustic setting, campgrounds maintain well-kept amenities. A visitor to Grafton Notch Campground praises that "Bathrooms are spacious and spotless. We got lots of great recommendations for hikes and swimming holes." Several campgrounds feature free hot showers, while others use coin operation.
River access: Streamside camping provides both scenic value and recreational opportunities. "Our site was right next to the river and was fantastic," shares a camper about Coos Canyon. Many riverside sites allow direct water access for swimming and fishing without leaving your campsite.
Cell coverage limitations: Service varies significantly by carrier and location. At Stony Brook Recreation and Campground, a visitor notes "There was no cell service but wifi was available at the office." Many campgrounds provide Wi-Fi access near the main office or store only.
Limited provisioning options: Stock up before arrival as local stores have restricted hours and inventory. In Errol near Mollidgewock State Park, "many places are closed Sundays and Mondays. Make sure you plan ahead!" A small number of campgrounds maintain stores with basic necessities.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Andover, ME?
According to TheDyrt.com, Andover, ME offers a wide range of camping options, with 207 campgrounds and RV parks near Andover, ME and 15 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Andover, ME?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Andover, ME is Coos Canyon Campground and Cabins with a 4.5-star rating from 19 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Andover, ME?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 15 free dispersed camping spots near Andover, ME.
Keep Exploring
