Camping near Belfast, Maine offers a mix of coastal and inland options with sites generally running between $25-50 per night. Most campgrounds in the region operate seasonally from May through mid-October, with peak foliage season drawing crowds in late September. The midcoast region features several locations with yurt accommodations and glamping options that provide easier access to the rugged Maine coastline.
What to do
Hiking opportunities: 30+ miles of trails available at Camden Hills State Park Campground offer varied difficulty levels within a 30-minute drive of Belfast. "The park sits on both sides of Rt. 1, and the bottom side is more of a day use area with a pavilion and walking trails and sits on the water. The top portion of the park, where all the campsites are, has direct access to Mount Megunticook, and Mount Battie, and offers easy to advanced hikes. It's great to be able to do numerous hikes without having to leave the park," notes one visitor.
Kayaking and water activities: The protected waters of Sennebec Lake provide ideal conditions for beginning paddlers. "We love the proximity to the lake with easy access for kayaking and swimming. New ownership this year resulted in some updates, as well as the addition of glamping tents near the beach," says a camper who visited Sennebec Lake Campground.
Explore Belfast's downtown: Just 6 miles from many campgrounds, Belfast offers unique shops, restaurants, and a working waterfront. "Camden should be on everyone's list of places to see if you are traveling the Maine coast. Within 10 miles are great museums like the Farnsworth Art Museum, the Maine Lighthouse Museum, the Sail, Power, and Steam Museum, and others."
What campers like
Waterfront camping: Oceanfront sites are highly sought after but available at several locations. At Oceanfront Camping @ Reach Knolls, "We stayed at site 8 which had unobstructed views of ocean and close to path to beach. Def worth the visit." Another camper notes, "A very quiet and peaceful rocky beach is found down a nice path with two metal bridges. Sunset views were great."
Yurt camping options: For those seeking yurt camping near Belfast, Maine, several campgrounds offer these unique accommodations. The Cooley-Davies Homestead features "a beautiful, peaceful spot amid woods & pasture" with eco-friendly yurt accommodations that include composting toilets and hot showers.
Community atmosphere: Many campers appreciate the social aspects of Belfast area campgrounds. "We discovered this campsite in 2020 and just returned from our third year in a row camping here with 2 kids. Activities started up again this year, with events such as kids' crafts, a kids vs adults water gun fight, cornhole competition, and a DJ for an evening of dancing - just on the weekend we were there."
What you should know
First-come, first-served policies: Some campgrounds don't take reservations. At Bar Harbor Campground, "Show up find an empty spot. Pay for it and it's yours. I first had a tent space facing the ocean $36. Very close to the Pool for one night. Next morning I found an electric and water spot $40 close by and moved."
Seasonal operation: Most Belfast area campgrounds close by mid-October. Check with individual sites before planning fall trips. Several yurt camping options near Belfast remain open later in the season than traditional tent sites.
Cell service varies: While coastal campgrounds often have good reception, inland sites may have spotty service. "We stayed here twice and had a really good experience both times. Not too loud and rangers were very helpful."
Tips for camping with families
Look for campgrounds with dedicated kids' activities: Many locations offer scheduled programming. "My daughter begs to camp here. As with any KOA they have lots of activities throughout the day for families, and a pool, but she loves the ice pop contest. If you find a painted rock and bring it to the office you get a free ice pop. It's the simple things in life, right?" shares a visitor to Bar Harbor/Oceanside KOA.
Beach access matters: For families with young children, swimming areas are essential. "We stayed here for 5 nights in August, and loved it for so many reasons. Our campsite had a fire ring and picnic table and room for our car. It felt a bit secluded from our neighbors thanks to the trees, but we could sometimes easily hear the neighbors to the back of us."
Consider glamping for first-timers: Yurt camping near Belfast provides an easier transition for children new to camping. "We stayed in one of their cabins out of season and really enjoyed it. Not far from the best Acadia hiking (like 20 minutes), has a nice view of the ocean, and the campground is well maintained and clean and everyone is very friendly."
Tips from RVers
Check site specifics before booking: Not all campgrounds can accommodate larger rigs. At Seawall Campground — Acadia National Park, "We have a tiny trailer that fits in a tent site. But when reserving online, being unfamiliar with the campground, we were prompted to enter the total length of trailer + vehicle. That put us in loop C with huge RVs much closer together than the other loops."
Inquire about dump stations and hookups: Many sites offer water and electric but limited sewer connections. "We are full time RV'rs and have stayed at lots of campgrounds but this place holds a special place in our hearts. The people working are the perfect compliment to a beautiful location."
Consider shoulder seasons: May-June and September-October offer more availability and quieter experiences. "We arrived just a few days after the park opened for the season so the campground was especially quiet. Our large back-in site was set in an open sunny area but most of the sites are nicely tucked into the woods with plenty of space between them."
