Bar Mills offers pet-friendly camping between the Saco River and Route 202 in southern Maine. Located 15 miles west of Portland, the area features a combination of wooded sites and waterfront locations. Campgrounds typically open from May through mid-October with peak season lasting from late June through Labor Day. Weather remains moderate with daytime summer temperatures averaging 70-85°F and cooler evenings in the 50-60°F range.
What to do
Kayaking and canoeing on natural waterways: Wild Duck Adult Campground provides access to Scarborough Marsh for paddling enthusiasts. "This quiet campground is about a mile from the Eastern Trail through the Scarborough Marsh," notes Kevin W. "It is within a mile of the Audubon center office, where you can either put in your own kayak/canoe or rent one."
Visit Old Orchard Beach: Paradise Park Resort offers convenient shuttle service to the beach and pier. "Walking distance to Old Orchard Beach, this campground has something for everyone. A shuttle will take you to the town beach or you can walk/ride bikes the .25 miles," explains Jessica S. The resort maintains multiple activities onsite including "fishing, 2 pools, a dog park, and a snack shack."
Explore Kennebunkport: Sandy Pines Campground provides a base for visiting this historic coastal town. "Sandy Pines is located a very short bike ride from Cape Porpoise, home of Nunann's Restaurant, Mussette, Lost Fire and Pier 77. Some of the best food in the area without having to deal with the crushing crowds of the Kennebunkport scene," shares Chris.
Mountain biking on local preserves: The area offers multiple trail systems for cyclists. "For those so inclined, there is great mountain biking either through the Tyler Preserve down to Cape Porpoise or North through the Emmitt Smith Preserve," recommends Joe R. from Sandy Pines Campground.
What campers like
Adults-only camping environment: Wild Duck Adult Campground & RV Park provides a quieter experience without children. "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," writes Heather C. "The trees are quite tall and create a lovely canopy overhead."
Proximity to Eastern Trail: Several pet-friendly campgrounds near Bar Mills connect to this multi-use pathway. "My wife and I enjoy riding our bikes on rail trails. This quiet campground is about a mile from the Eastern Trail through the Scarborough Marsh," notes Kevin W. about Wild Duck Adult Campground.
Clean facilities and grounds: Bayley's Camping Resort maintains high standards for bathrooms and common areas. "This park has so many amenities and things to do that it is a destination in itself and you and your kids will be busy the entire time. The staff is super friendly and helpful and the park is very clean and well-maintained," explains Nancy W.
Beach access options: Old Orchard Beach Campground offers trolley service to avoid parking hassles. "Old Orchard Beach is a fun, family-oriented campground located in the fun little beach town of Old Orchard Beach. The best thing is there is a trolley that takes you from the campground to the beach so you don't have to deal with parking," notes Nancy W.
What you should know
Mosquitoes can be intense: Bug protection is essential, especially near marsh areas. "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 Megan W. about Wild Duck Adult Campground.
Train noise at some locations: Wild Acres Sun RV Resort has tracks nearby that may affect sleep. "The campground map is missing the train tracks that are between the campground and the ocean. The trains all blow their horn and you will hear it if your at one of the site 'by the ocean'," warns Bryan.
Varying levels of privacy between sites: Site selection matters for those seeking seclusion. "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 Claire T. about Bayley's Camping Resort.
Seasonal variations in crowd levels: Shoulder seasons offer quieter experiences. "We visited in the off-season but can only imagine the park gets pretty busy especially in the front section where the swimming pool, arcade, camp store, and other activities are located," observes Nancy W. about Old Orchard Beach Campground.
Tips for camping with families
Look for campgrounds with multiple pool options: Bayley's Camping Resort separates adult and child swimming areas. "There is a kids pool and a pool for the adults only w/bar. A pond for fishing, there are kayaks etc... Shower throughout and I might add very clean," shares Christopher S.
Consider activity calendars: Paradise Park Resort schedules family-friendly events. "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," notes Tonisha T.
Evaluate tent-friendly locations: Some resorts better accommodate RVs than tents. "The most significant con was that this campground is truly only for RV camping. Us tent campers were on sites with zero trees. It almost felt as if they were trying to dissuade tent campers from coming here," cautions Tim S. about Sandy Pines Campground.
Explore shoulder season camping: Nathan S. recommends Paradise Park Resort during less crowded times: "We're typically state park campers, but decided to stay 2 nights at a resort campground to recharge and be close to the beach. We had a great experience! Awesome amenities, close to the beach (they offer a shuttle too) and great pool."
Tips from RVers
Book wooded sites for shade: Old Orchard Beach Campground offers varied site types. "We liked the sections in the back (Bear Brook and Black Forest) which are set away from the entrance and the majority of activities," suggests Nancy W.
Expect tighter spacing at peak times: Holiday weekends can feel crowded. "More of a festival than an RV resort. Extremely crowded, close sites, and heavy car traffic in walking and bike areas. Sun night was way quieter than Fri and Sat night," notes David A. about Wild Acres Sun RV Resort.
Reserve premium sites early: Waterfront locations fill quickly at popular campgrounds. "We stayed on a spot by the water, that was totally worth the upgrade," states Julie C. about Wassamki Springs Campground.
Pack extension cords and hoses: Utility placement varies by campground. "The utilities were in the far back of the site so make sure you have long enough hoses," advises Nancy W. about Wassamki Springs. Utility boxes at some locations may require additional length to reach your connection points.
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