Campgrounds near Bar Mills, Maine offer diverse overnight experiences amid rolling Maine hills and forests. The area sits along the Saco River watershed, with most campsites nestled among pine and oak woodlands. Summer temperatures average 75-85°F during day with cooler nights in the 50s, while fall camping brings vibrant foliage and temperatures ranging from 40-65°F depending on timing.
What to Do
Kayaking at Scarborough Marsh: Located near Wild Duck Adult Campground, the marsh offers excellent paddling opportunities. "The Eastern Trail and Audubon Wildlife Refuge is nearby... you can either put in your own kayak/canoe or rent one," notes camper Heather C., though she cautions about culverts: "There is a culvert under Rt 9 that you need to pass under which is dangerous - people have flipped in the culvert due to the current."
Biking on Eastern Trail: The trail connects several campgrounds to local attractions. "This quiet campground is about a mile from the Eastern Trail through the Scarborough Marsh," writes Kevin W., who enjoyed "riding our bikes on rail trails" while staying at Wild Duck Campground.
Swimming and water recreation: Most campgrounds feature water access options. At Acres of Wildlife Family Campground, campers enjoy "a swimming lake, kayaks, canoes, paddleboats" along with numerous land activities. Ani G. mentions, "The site was easy to access and was roomy enough for our bikes and dogs outside."
What Campers Like
Adult-only camping options: For those seeking quieter glamping near Bar Mills, Maine, Wild Duck Adult Campground provides a peaceful atmosphere. "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," reports Heather C. Another camper, Lee H., adds it's "a small campground with not a ton of sites but that is what we like."
Family activities and amenities: Paradise Park Resort offers extensive recreation options for families. "This campground has something for everyone. While the sites are fairly small and crowded, it hardly matters because of all of the amenities," shares Jessica S. Christopher O. notes "Many family activities including fishing, 2 pools, a dog park, and a snack shack."
Beach access: Several campgrounds offer beach transportation. Jessica S. highlights that Paradise Park Resort provides a "shuttle [that] will take you to the town beach or you can walk/ride bikes the .25 miles." Nathan S. appreciated that his family could "stay 2 nights at a resort campground to recharge and be close to the beach."
What You Should Know
Seasonal operation timing: Most campgrounds operate between May and October. Bayley's Camping Resort runs from "Apr 27 - Oct 14," while other locations have varying schedules. During shoulder seasons, camping experiences differ substantially from peak summer.
Mosquito preparation: Several campgrounds report significant mosquito activity, particularly those near marshlands. "BRING BUGSPRAY!!!" warns Megan W. about Wild Duck. "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."
Noise levels vary significantly: Campgrounds range from very quiet to bustling with activity. At Bayley's Camping Resort, Claire T. explains, "If you're looking for all the bells and whistles, full amenities and location to town this is it... 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."
Tips for Camping with Families
Playground options: For families seeking glamping options around Bar Mills, Maine with play facilities, Old Orchard Beach Campground features multiple play areas. "There are lots of amenities in the campground like a basketball court, Wiffle ball field, horseshoes, badminton, playgrounds, arcade, swimming pools and hot tub, group bonfire, and dog park," notes Nancy W.
Water activities for children: Many campgrounds offer kid-friendly water features. According to Tonisha T., Paradise Park Resort "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."
Organized activities: Some campgrounds provide structured entertainment. At Acres Of Wildlife, Sarah L. explains, "Amazing family activities to keep kids occupied, great sites, clean bathrooms (free showers), and a good restaurant if you don't want to cook."
Tips from RVers
Site selection guidance: When booking glamping in the Bar Mills region, consider site layout carefully. At Sandy Pines Campground, Joe R. notes, "While the sites are not super spread out, they are not right on top each other either." For full hookups, Celeste C. recommends, "We stayed in the Beach Rose section and we have full hookups."
Utility connection challenges: Some campgrounds have awkward utility connections. Ed C. advises at Acres of Wildlife to "bring extensions for electrical and sewer as a lot of sites are set up with difficult connection spots." He also mentions the "relatively level sites" but notes the "long dirt road to get to is a bit of a problem."
RV size limitations: Not all campgrounds accommodate larger rigs equally. Steve K. observed at Sandy Pines that "there are only a few transient sites that can handle a camper over 30ft," suggesting advance research for larger RV owners.
