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Bar Mills, Maine sits within a region rich in campgrounds, primarily concentrated along the coastal areas of Saco, Scarborough, and Old Orchard Beach. Camping near Bar Mills ranges from full-hookup RV resorts to wooded tent sites, with most options within a 20-minute drive. Family-oriented resorts like Bayley's Camping Resort and Old Orchard Beach Campground operate seasonally from late April through mid-October. The area features predominantly private campgrounds rather than public lands, with most offering full amenities for RVs and tent campers alike. Many campgrounds in this region maintain proximity to beaches and coastal attractions while providing wooded sites under tall pines characteristic of southern Maine's landscape.
Most campgrounds near Bar Mills require advance reservations, especially during the peak summer season from late June through August. The camping season typically runs from early May through mid-October, with limited options available outside this window. As one camper noted, "The campground is just one mile from Old Orchard Beach and close to Route 1 which is the main corridor leading up and down the Maine coast." Cell service and WiFi availability vary significantly between properties, with several reviewers mentioning spotty connections even at campgrounds advertising internet access. Weather conditions remain relatively mild during the camping season, though early and late season campers should prepare for cooler nights, particularly in wooded areas.
Campgrounds in the region generally fall into two categories: beach-oriented resorts with extensive amenities and more traditional wooded settings. Many visitors highlight the trolley services that connect campgrounds to beaches, eliminating parking concerns during busy summer months. "There is a trolley that takes you from the campground to the beach so you don't have to deal with parking," mentioned one reviewer of Old Orchard Beach Campground. Family-friendly amenities like swimming pools, game rooms, and organized activities are common at larger establishments. Site privacy varies considerably, with several reviewers noting that sites can be quite close together, particularly at the more developed resorts. For those seeking adult-oriented camping, Wild Duck Adult Campground in Scarborough offers a quieter alternative with good access to Portland and coastal attractions. Campers planning a trip should note that the most popular Bar Mills area campgrounds typically book out weeks in advance during July and August.
"Just a stones throw away from Old Orchard Beach, fantastic Sandy Maine beach. Staff was friendly. Only thing I would say is there were a lot of people!"
"Mainly pancakes and bacon. The only problem I had with this campground with no fault of there own is the noise at night."
"Spent three nights in a nice sized, quiet spot, on the camps’ outside loop. The park is well located, near the beach, shopping, and with access to Portland."
"This adult only campground is peaceful and quiet, with the sounds of birds and the trees being the main thing you hear - it is quite relaxing. "
"Right next to the road. So yes lots of family glamping fun. But not for those looking for a more visceral Maine camping experience."
"The campsites are on top of each other all the way around. Of course, as we always find in the RV community, everyone was very nice."
"Beautiful setting, lots of trees, bordering on beautiful marsh area. Many different types of campsites: rent, RV, seasonal RV, cottages, glamping tents and cabins etc."
"Sandy Pines is located a very short bike ride from Cape Porpoise, home of Nunann's Restaurant , Mussette, Lost Fire and Pier 77."
"Old Orchard Beach is a fun, family-oriented campground located in the fun little beach town of Old Orchard Beach."
"Easy access to area stores, eats. Very accommodating. Clean showers, laundry, arcade."
from $100 - $145 / night
Check Availability"Great campground, it is walking distance to Old Orchard beach and has large sites. Many family activities including fishing, 2 pools, a dog park, and a snack shack."
"Walking distance to Old Orchard Beach, this campground has something for everyone. While the site are fairly small and crowded, it harldy matters because of all of the amenities at the campground."
from $63 / night
Check Availability"Extremely crowded, close sites, and heavy car traffic in walking and bike areas. Sun night was way quieter than Fri and Sat night."
"Good first: it’s the closes campground to the beach around. Quick walk to the sand and just a little further to the pier. Clean and neat facilities. Great activities for the kids."
from $60 - $400 / night
Check Availability"Pond is warm water and sandy entrances although a little mucky further in from fallen pine needles. Water shoes suggested. Well organized events even in a pandemic. Cleaning done constantly."
"One unique thing that I liked was that each spot had multiple faucet hookups which may not always be necessary but it was a nice thing to have when we needed to run water outside without having to unhook"
from $30 - $390 / night
Check Availability"Great huge campground only a walk to the beach from one entrance. Train goes by close to sites near beach access! Most sites are gravel.. clean clean clean"
"And of course the beach was walking distance which was the biggest draw for us. If you have little ones, time your beach trips with low tide. The waves crash pretty hard at high tide."
"Nice pool; playground for kids, can walk to old orchard; or they have a bus also!"
"Our campsite was close to bathrooms, pool and playground. Staff was so kind. Kids loved it.."
GuideThere 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!
GuideBeautiful park! Real contact with nature, super safe... get ready to walk.
GuideThis is a nice campground with 90% permanent upscale sites. Don’t let that deter you, the nightly spots are concentrated have excellent natural surroundings. Decent size spaces and mostly level. Workers were nice and many things to do.
TravelerA mix of seasonal and short term campers. Here for 3 nights I did not feel out of place at all - quite the opposite. Staff are very nice, campground is quiet, clean and has lots of amenities(laundry, games- pool, table tennis, badminton, small kids playground, kayak rental for the placid river, swimming area at the river"beach"). All sites have water and hookup. Couple of excellent tent spots right on the river. I had a small space down by the river for my tent trailer and found it quite spacious. Sites overall are somewhat close together but not overly and it remains peaceful. About 30 minute easy drive to the coast (Portsmouth, Hampton Beach etc.).
ScoutThis campground is near our home but one feels miles away. Lovely views of the shoreline, saltwater pool, and many choices for hook-ups. We stayed there over Labor Day weekend in 2025 and are returning this year in 2026
Scout⭐**Gunstock Campground: Apparently Your Reserved Site Is More of a Suggestion**
I don't believe I have**ever** left a negative Google review. I generally think that when something goes wrong, you contact the business, give them an opportunity to make it right, and most businesses are genuinely interested in doing exactly that.
Gunstock Campground has cured me of that quaint notion.
I reserved a full-hookup campsite for two nights. I was unable to make it there the first night, but arrived shortly after 7:00 a.m. the next morning. The camp store, where registration takes place, wasn't open yet, so I headed out for my planned hike— about six miles through the Belknaps, including summiting Rowe twice and Gunstock.
By the time I returned, I was utterly exhausted, starving, and actually feeling weak. My ambitions for the afternoon were modest:**eat something, take a shower, and collapse at the campsite I had paid for.**
The staff at the camp store greeted me warmly, checked me in, and sent me on my way.
I drove to my site. There was already a camper in it. Not merely*parked* there, mind you. They had apparently moved right in. They were hooked up to**my site's water and electric**, with water spraying from their ill-fitting hose connection and forming a rather impressive puddle underneath the camper.
I returned to the camp store to report that someone had apparently activated Gunstock's new**"Choose Any Site You Like"** camping plan. A staff member went down to speak with them and came back to tell me they were "packing up." Excellent! My mistake was assuming" packing up" meant**leaving**. It did not.
Apparently these campers had actually reserved a site**two rows away** that had**no water or electric**. Yet somehow, sometime after arriving the previous night, they had accidentally found themselves two rows over, in my clearly different site, connected to utilities their reservation didn't include.
We've all made mistakes. I've occasionally parked one space away from where I intended. I've never accidentally parked**two rows away, hooked myself up to someone else's electricity and water, and spent the night.**
But perhaps I lack imagination.
After they had now consumed about an hour of my afternoon— which, incidentally, is an hour I normally bill at attorney rates— I went back toward my site expecting to find it finally vacated.
And it was! Because Gunstock had moved these folks to another site**two spaces away from me**, apparently allowing them to pay for the upgrade they had already been test-driving. So the people who knowingly or unknowingly occupied my reserved full-hookup site, used the utilities, and delayed me from getting into the site I paid for were rewarded with...a nearby full-hookup site.
They never walked over to apologize. At that point, I no longer felt comfortable staying. It's difficult to relax at a campground when you've just discovered that site assignments appear to operate somewhat on the honor system— and that when someone helps themselves to your reserved site and utilities, management's solution is apparently to make sure *they* remain comfortably accommodated nearby. So I left. On my way home, I called Gunstock and asked for a refund. Surely, I thought, this would be the easy part. After all, I had paid for two nights, hadn't used the first, couldn't get into my site when I arrived for the second, waited while unauthorized occupants vacated it, and ultimately left because the entire experience had become so unpleasant.
Nope. Instead, the staff member **defended the other campers**. I was told they arrived late and "mistakenly" took my site. I was even told they supposedly **hadn't used the utilities**. This was particularly fascinating information for me to receive because **I PERSONALLY SAW THEM HOOKED UP TO THE WATER AND ELECTRIC.** I also took photographs. Including the enormous puddle underneath their camper from the leaking water connection. But apparently my eyewitness account and photographs were no match for the alternative version of events.
For my inconvenience, however, Gunstock did give me a coupon for a **free Bavarian pretzel**. So there is that.
I paid for a full-hookup campsite. Someone else occupied it and used the hookups. I lost roughly an hour waiting to access what I had reserved. The other campers were accommodated with an upgraded site nearby. I left because I no longer felt comfortable staying. And when I asked Gunstock to make the situation right, they refused to refund me and instead argued with me about things **I had personally witnessed and photographed**. The most disappointing part isn't that another camper took my site. Campers can behave badly. Businesses can't control everything their customers do. **What a business CAN control is how it responds when that happens. ** Gunstock had every opportunity to turn this into a mildly annoying story about a camping mix-up. Instead, they turned it into my first negative Google review.
But hey... **I do have that free pretzel coupon.**
ScoutWe stayed midweek and the park was 1/2 empty. Lots of kids activities. Wonderful bathrooms and showers. Great laundry. Close to Freeport but not the water
ScoutWe just came back from a big family weekend there. We had 5 sites with 19 people(including children). This is by far the most rundown campground I've stayed! Only 1 bathroom facility was functioning. Of the 3 times I tried taking a shower, I only succeeded 1 time. The other 2 times(once at night and once the following morning at 6am) I only got drops coming out of the hot and cold faucets. I tried the only 2 stalls. Speaking of bathrooms...these have not been updated since the 60s-early 70s when I was camping with the same style bathroom facilities. The children's playground should be condemned!!! At least 25% of the wood is rotted. Some steps are missing from ladders. My granddaughter was swinging in the childs swing, the bottom unlatched and she fell through the bottom. If she wasn't monkey like in holding on she would have done a face plant to the ground. After looking at the swing, I found the plastic latch broken! 2 positives: the campsites are very nice! and the beach is great! Bottom line, these owners are not putting any money back into the campground and it's facilities. They are running it into the ground. I won't be coming back again!
ScoutWonderful stay! Clean bathrooms/showers. Woodsy and quiet. Clean campsites with water and electric. The people were super helpful and friendly! Wonderful stay, would easy stay here again :)
Bar Mills camping options extend beyond coastal properties, with several family-friendly sites situated within wooded inland settings that feature tall pine canopies characteristic of the region. The camping season typically runs from mid-April through mid-October, with most facilities operating at reduced capacity during shoulder months. Seasonal temperature variations can be significant, with daytime highs reaching the upper 80s in July and August while dropping to the 40s during early spring and late fall evenings.
Paddling opportunities: The Saco River Marsh provides excellent kayaking and canoeing options for campers staying near Bar Mills. Some campgrounds offer rentals or launch points directly on property. "If you like to paddle, head to the Saco River Marsh. Here you can put in your own boats or rent some and paddle through beautiful marsh – just watch the tides," advises a camper from Wild Duck Adult Campground.
Hiking and biking trails: The Eastern Trail, a multi-use gravel path, connects several camping areas around Bar Mills. "It is within a mile of the Audubon center office, where you can either put in your own kayak/canoe or rent one," notes a reviewer about the trail accessibility from Wild Duck Adult Campground.
Fishing opportunities: Several campgrounds maintain stocked fishing ponds for guests. "There is a pond for fishing, there are kayaks etc... Shower throughout and I might add very clean. Come check it out. Lots to do," writes a camper who stayed at Bayley's Camping Resort.
Adult-only options: For campers seeking quieter surroundings, adult-focused campgrounds provide alternatives to family-oriented resorts. "This adult only campground is peaceful and quiet, with the sounds of birds and the trees being the main thing you hear - it is quite relaxing," describes a visitor at Wild Duck Adult Campground.
Transportation convenience: Many campgrounds offer shuttle services to beaches and attractions. "The trolly will pick you up from the campground and take you to Old Orchard Beach. Very friendly staff. Kid activities were done regularly," notes a reviewer from Sun Outdoors Saco Old Orchard Beach.
Pond recreation: Multiple campgrounds feature fishing ponds that provide alternatives to ocean swimming. "This campground is very cute, oriented to families and couples. There are multiple pools and playgrounds. One pool has a hot tub for kids. There's also paddleboats available to rent," explains a camper who stayed at Paradise Park Resort.
Mosquito conditions: The proximity to marshlands means insect protection is essential during summer months. "The only negative of this place was the mosquitoes. They were TERRIBLE. In the time it took after we parked the camper, to when I could dig the bug spray out of our truck I was covered in bites," warns one camper about their experience near the marshes.
Internet connectivity: Digital connectivity varies significantly between campgrounds. "The Wi-Fi does not work very well (WFH employees trying to see the world). Other than the Wi-Fi, everything exceeded our expectations," notes a recent camper at Old Orchard Beach Campground.
Site privacy considerations: The level of privacy between campsites varies considerably between properties and specific site locations. "Depending on your site location you may get more privacy than if you stay in the big rig sites. The wooded sites tend to be more private and less loud. Staying by any of the pools will be louder," advises a regular visitor to Bayley's Camping Resort.
Tent site selection: For tent campers with children, seek wooded sites away from high-traffic areas. "We tent camp but they also offer small cabins which looked adorable and glamping tents. Easy access to local trails and tourist spots," shares a visitor to Sandy Pines Campground.
Shoulder season visits: Family campers seeking less crowded conditions should consider early June or September stays. "We were in a tent and enjoyed it but there are also many mobile homes and RVs. The walk to Old Orchard Beach was about a 10 minute walk from our site and the town and shops nearby are cute and classic. We were there the first week of June and could walk up and get a site that day but they said that late June you need to schedule your stay in advanced," explains a camper from Paradise Park Resort.
Activity planning: Many campgrounds provide structured daily activities for children during peak season. "This is a family friendly campground that is a short shuttle ride (offered by the staff) or drive to the amusements and boardwalk at Old Orchard Beach. The pond is great for fishing but not swimming. There is a pool and small playground. The streets are flat for the kids to bike. They offer fun dances with kid games at night," shares a parent who stayed at Paradise Park Resort.
Site surface considerations: Many campgrounds feature gravel sites which can be uneven after rain. "Our gravel site was perfectly level with no potholes and the roads leading to our site were easy to navigate in our 45' motorhome. The patio was gravel and there was some grass between campsites," notes an RVer who stayed at Old Orchard Beach Campground.
Hookup availability: Full service sites with 50-amp connections are widely available but book quickly during peak season. "Site privacy varies considerably, with several reviewers noting that sites can be quite close together, particularly at the more developed resorts," according to experienced RVers who visit the area regularly.
Seasonal rates: RV campers can find significant discounts during shoulder seasons. "Nightly rates in peak season are outrageous but you can find much cheaper rates if you stay in the shoulder season or go with 30 amp electric and no sewer," advises a regular visitor to Bayley's Camping Resort.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Bar Mills, ME?
According to TheDyrt.com, Bar Mills, ME offers a wide range of camping options, with 230 campgrounds and RV parks near Bar Mills, ME and 1 free dispersed camping spot.
Which is the most popular campground near Bar Mills, ME?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Bar Mills, ME is Sun Outdoors Saco Old Orchard Beach with a 4.2-star rating from 22 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Bar Mills, ME?
According to TheDyrt.com, there is 1 free dispersed camping spot near Bar Mills, ME.
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