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.
What to do
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.
What campers like
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!!!"
What you should know
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.
Tips for camping with families
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.
Tips from RVers
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.
