Salisbury Beach State Reservation
Showers were a bit cold. Site had rubbish scattered about.
14 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Tent campgrounds around Arundel, Maine range from designated drive-in sites to more primitive walk-in options, giving tent campers flexibility in how they access and experience the outdoors. Sun Outdoors Saco Old Orchard Beach accommodates tent campers with designated sites set among tall pine trees that provide natural shade. Huttopia Southern Maine in nearby Sanford features walk-in tent sites among its 107 campsites, operating seasonally from Mother's Day through Columbus Day.
Most tent sites in the region feature dirt or pine needle-covered ground with varying degrees of levelness. Drive-in access is common at established campgrounds like Swans Falls in Fryeburg, while other locations require short walks to reach tent pads. Potable water and restroom facilities vary significantly between locations. According to one visitor at Sun Outdoors, "The bathrooms were very clean and the showers are nice. The tall trees are lovely and provide good shade." Fire restrictions apply seasonally, with some locations providing communal fire rings or designated fire areas. Many campgrounds sell firewood on-site to prevent the spread of invasive insects.
Summer tent camping in this coastal Maine region offers moderate temperatures with occasional humidity. Tent-specific sites often provide more seclusion than RV areas, with some campgrounds designating tent-only sections farther from roads. A camper noted that "sites are not too close" at Sun Outdoors, making for a more private experience. Evening temperatures can drop significantly even in summer, requiring proper sleeping gear for comfort. During peak season (July-August), reservations are strongly recommended for tent campsites at popular campgrounds. Primitive tent camping options become more available after Labor Day when visitor numbers decrease and more walk-in sites become available without reservations. Many locations allow pets at tent sites but enforce leash requirements and proper waste disposal.
"The campground sits among tall pine trees which offer nice shade helps alleviate some of the feel of a crowded campground. "
"We tent camped at Saco/Old Orchard Beach KOA. The staff was very friendly and when I called to book the site, they assisted in helping us pick out the nicest campsite."
from $248 - $374 / night
Check Availability"Multiple pools, a water slide, high ropes, a jump pad, mini golf and more!!! My niece had so much fun! Sites are close together and they are short staffed but other than that a great place!"
"Mac's camping has large RV Sites with access to their private beach & boat launch! Make sure to check them out and leave a review on the Dyrt about your stay!"
from $40 - $45 / night
Check Availability"Sites are wooded but not a ton of space/trees in between them. Some sites are right on top of the Fryeberg fairgrounds, was glad we didn’t have those."
"It's in a nice, open pine forest and there is a beautiful walking trail by the Saco River. I biked in so no idea about other utilities."
from $25 - $50 / night
Check Availability"I stayed here tent camping on the way to some fishing on the Saco River."
from $25 - $45 / night
Check AvailabilityShowers were a bit cold. Site had rubbish scattered about.
I have stayed in about 20 campgrounds in the past two months and this was by far the loudest despite being pretty empty. Kids screeching and screaming for about 6 hours a day, including weekdays. Had one come knocking on my door while I was working to try and sell keychains. Some uncontrollable dogs in our loop as well. Despite the lack of peace, the campground itself was in good shape and had a lot of amenities.
Very Clean. They mow something everyday. Asphalt roads. Easy access to every spot. Extra clean showers and restrooms. They have activities for all ages. But no dog park. Why not? They have plenty of room.
Park is nestled in the woods with a lot of activities outdoors. Walking trails for people and dogs. Great laundry, bathrooms, office/store, cafe. The roads into the sites are tight but they guide you. We have a 30’ trailer and 20’ truck, I wouldn’t bring a trailer longer than 35’ in unless you are really good in tight spaces. Site 110 is a great pull thru.
It's a cute campground with a beach and boat dock. Laundry, pool, showers all available but I didn't use them.
They offer both Military and Good Sam discounts. Very nice park. Clean bathrooms and showers. Even a dog park!
Get a site in the back with the trees if possible. They are much bigger sites and more secluded. Cash only ($61) but there is an ATM in the office. The manager was very helpful giving me a local map and telling me the sites to see. She recommended a few restaurants for great food.
This was a cool agritourism campground. A little pricey but the cleanest campground I have stayed at over the last month and a half traveling around the great lakes area and then into New England. I'm traveling solo but definitely a cool spot if you have kids, the outhouses are kept as spotless as one could hope for and there are is a cool loop trail around the property that has educational stops. Camp store has local produce and food from the farm, there are trails where you can go down to the shoreline.
There are no bad camping spots at this charming, scenic, squeaky clean campground. If you love water views, walking trails and exploring low-tide. Run, don’t walk and make a reservation today!
Tent camping near Arundel, Maine offers proximity to both pine forest settings and coastal access points, with most sites within 30 minutes of beaches along the Atlantic. Summer temperatures typically range from 55-80°F, with coastal humidity moderating inland temperatures. Most campgrounds in this region maintain seasonal operations from May through mid-October, with increasing availability for walk-in sites after Labor Day.
Canoe or kayak on the Saco River: Saco Bound provides convenient river access for paddling adventures. Brian P. notes it "gets busy in the summer" but offers direct river entry for canoes and kayaks.
Visit Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge: Located near several campgrounds, this protected area features salt marshes and trails. According to Justin P., Paugus Brook Farm offers "a great location to either explore the immediate area... or head further north to Conway and North Conway."
Swimming at local beaches: Huttopia Southern Maine in Sanford provides access to Sand Pond. A camper mentioned they were "returning again next month" after enjoying the "manicured and family friendly" grounds.
Wooded privacy: Swans Falls Campground in Fryeburg features "wooded sites but not a ton of space/trees in between them," according to camper K R., who added that their large site "easily" accommodated three tents for their adult family group.
Clean facilities: Paugus Brook Farm maintains "brand new and super clean" outhouses according to visitor Justin P., who appreciated the "fairly level ground and lots of space" in their field camping area.
Family activities: Salmon Falls River RV Resort offers extensive recreation options. Samantha N. describes it as "kids paradise" with "multiple pools, a water slide, high ropes, a jump pad, mini golf and more!!!"
Seasonal crowds: River access points experience high traffic during peak summer months. At Swans Falls Campground, one camper observed "a huge line up of people putting in to float down the river, which is busy and noisy. It calms down by afternoon."
Varying fire restrictions: Saco Bound permits campfires and sells firewood on-site, while Paugus Brook Farm prohibits fires "due to area fire restrictions" according to recent visitors.
Limited amenities at primitive sites: Justin P. notes that while Paugus Brook Farm offers clean facilities, "there are no picnic tables and fires aren't permitted." Pack accordingly for more primitive camping experiences.
Look for dedicated activity areas: Sun Outdoors Saco Old Orchard Beach features "a heated pool, hot tub (adults only), basketball, volleyball, playground, and various activities like s'mores, crafts, ice cream socials and more," making it ideal for families with children.
Consider cabins for mixed comfort levels: Erin M. reports that at Sun Outdoors, "We stayed for 3 nights in a pop-up while my mother rented a cabin. We loved that were able to stay right next to each other and were still in nice wooded sites with an awesome space for the fire."
Beach shuttle services: During summer months, some campgrounds offer transportation to nearby beaches. Jill P. mentions that at Sun Outdoors, "trolley will pick you up from the campground and take you to Old Orchard Beach," saving parking hassles during peak season.
Levelness varies by location: At Mac's Camping Area, Jake C. notes they have "large RV Sites with access to their private beach & boat launch," providing both level parking and water recreation options.
Consider seasonal transition impacts: Aaron G. mentions that when Salmon Falls River Camping Resort transitioned to a KOA, "the transition year seemed a bit wanky," suggesting campers should research recent management changes before booking.
Book ahead for premium spots: Salmon Falls offers popular amenities including "2 pools 2 hot tubes, a giant water slide," but Samantha N. notes "sites are close together and they are short staffed," making advance reservations essential for better site selection.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Arundel, ME?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Arundel, ME is Sun Outdoors Saco Old Orchard Beach with a 4.3-star rating from 24 reviews.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Arundel, ME?
TheDyrt.com has all 14 tent camping locations near Arundel, ME, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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