Camping options near Belgrade Lakes range from waterfront sites to wooded retreats across central Maine. The region sits at approximately 400 feet elevation with a humid continental climate featuring warm summers and cold winters. Most campgrounds in the area open from May through October with July and August being peak camping months.
What to do
Water activities on multiple lakes: Mount Blue State Park Campground offers access to Webb Lake with boat rentals and swimming areas. "The sites are a short walk/drive down to the lake and it is beautiful there. I would hear loons in the early mornings and go down to watch the sunrise," shares camper Jess Y.
Fishing opportunities: Campers at Two Rivers Campground can fish at the meeting point of two rivers. "There are a handful of tent sites at the far end of the campground set off on their own and right along the river," notes Nancy W. The campground also provides free canoe and kayak rentals with 2-hour time slots.
Hiking nearby mountains: Access trails from camp for day hikes at Mount Blue State Park. "Super close to many incredible day hikes such as Tumbledown & Mt. Blue. We checked in for 3 nights and ended up staying for 5 because we were enjoying it so much!" says Charlotte F. The park features multiple well-marked trails ranging from easy to moderate difficulty.
What campers like
Clean facilities: Dog friendly campgrounds near Belgrade Lakes maintain spotless bathrooms. At Augusta West Kampground, "The restrooms and laundry were spotless and cleaned daily," according to Nancy W. This makes longer stays more comfortable, especially when camping with pets.
Wildlife viewing: Many campers enjoy watching birds and wildlife from their sites. "At 6:45am I saw two bald eagles patrolling the Kennebec," reports LoneCamper C. about Two Rivers Campground. The region supports diverse wildlife including loons, eagles, and various waterfowl.
Family activities: Jellystone Park at Androscoggin Lake offers numerous activities for children. "Amazing campground. Has a lot of stuff for kids including playground, pool, water slides, canoeing, kayaking, mini golf and disc golf," notes Peter F. These organized activities keep families entertained throughout their stay.
What you should know
Pet policies: Most pet-friendly campgrounds near Belgrade Lakes require dogs to be leashed at all times outside your camping unit. More to Life Campground welcomes pets while maintaining family-friendly standards. "Very nice campground with really helpful owners. Very reasonably priced as well," mentions Debra F.
Site privacy varies: Campground layouts differ in terms of privacy between sites. "Sites are all big with plenty of room between the sites for the perfect amount of privacy," Angela M. says about Jellystone Park at Androscoggin Lake. At other locations, sites may be closer together with less screening.
Seasonal considerations: Most campgrounds operate from May through October. "This is a beautiful, family and pet friendly campground. Very well kept. The bathrooms and showers were always clean. Plenty of activities," explains Dawn about Martin Stream Campground, which like most area campgrounds closes for winter.
Tips for camping with families
Look for campgrounds with organized activities: Jellystone Park at Androscoggin Lake schedules regular events. "Beaver Brook in Monmouth Maine is a must stay if you have kids from babies to teens. Our family has been going annually for the last five years," shares Angela M., highlighting the family-focused atmosphere.
Consider proximity to swimming areas: Martin Stream Campground offers a pool plus stream access. "This is a wonderful campground. The sites are large and well kept. The grounds are in great condition," notes Tim M. Swimming options keep children entertained during hot summer days.
Check for playgrounds and recreation: Campgrounds with play areas provide entertainment between outdoor adventures. "For parents; live entertainment with local bands on Saturday nights, an adult only swim nightly. Playground is close enough to the pool to actually enjoy this while listening to my kids play," explains Angela M. about Jellystone Park.
Tips from RVers
Site selection matters: Many campgrounds offer waterfront RV sites with specific features. At Augusta West Kampground, "Some of the RV sites are located parallel to the river so your patio is open to the river and you have an unobstructed water view. However, these sites are fairly short and would not accommodate larger RVs," cautions Nancy W.
Check hookup availability: Different campgrounds offer varying levels of service. "We paid $59/night for our full hook-up site which seems a little high for the area, but it was a full hookup site with cable and (pretty poor Wi-Fi)," notes Nancy W. about Two Rivers Campground. Some locations offer water/electric only while others provide full hookups.
Consider seasonal vs. transient sites: Tiny Cabins of Maine offers a different experience with tent sites alongside cabin rentals. "This smaller campground offers great privacy on a large pond in the Maine forests. They recently added a tent site alongside the cabins for those looking to bring their tents into this awesome location!" explains Jake C.