While equestrian camping options are limited near Union, Maine, several campgrounds in the region offer alternative accommodations. The area sits amid the rolling hills of midcoast Maine, where mixed forests of pine and hardwood surround small lakes and ponds at elevations between 100-400 feet. Fall camping brings brilliant foliage displays and cooler temperatures.
What to do
Explore mountain trails: At HTR Acadia Campground, visitors can access nearby hiking opportunities. "Great campground. Staff is helpful, sites are clean. Definitely a tent friendly place. Proximity to Acadia National Park, Southwest Harbor, and all the great things to do in the area is perfect," notes Ian P.
Visit local breweries: The Freeport/Durham area offers craft beer exploration options. "The location is good as it is about 10-15 minutes far from the town of Freeport, four craft breweries and a cidery, and Bradbury Mountain State Park," according to Nancy W.
Seasonal events: Halloween celebrations are popular at campgrounds in the region despite the lack of horse-friendly facilities near Union. "The Halloween celebration is really well done- campers decorate their sites, there is an in-costume parade, and the central, bigger rigs are set up for trick or treating. The haunted house is scary enough that I waited by the exit," reports Rebus B.
What campers like
Waterfront access: While equestrian trails aren't available, HTR Acadia offers water views. "Wooded and quiet private sites with some on the ocean. Close to Acadia N.P.," writes LauraandJosh W. Another camper notes, "We stayed right by the water and it was just breath taking."
Family activities: Freeport/Durham KOA provides numerous children's activities. "Kid and pet friendly. Lots of activities for kids including a flashlight candy hunt, water slide, and s'more roast. We've been coming back for years," shares Rebus B.
Privacy and space: Many sites offer good separation despite the absence of horse corrals. "90% of the sites are well shaded, and most have plenty of room. Do your research not all the sites here are created equal," advises Ian P. about HTR Acadia.
What you should know
Site selection matters: At HTR Acadia, site quality varies considerably. "I would avoid campsite 14 (the one I had), because the parking spot is about six feet above the camping area, and the camping area is not especially level," cautions Thomas R.
Water availability: Most campgrounds near Union provide water hookups, but quality can vary. "Water pressure was low, but the WiFi was awesome," notes TJ S. about his HTR Acadia experience.
Connectivity challenges: Cell service and internet connections are inconsistent in the region. "WiFi and cell service are both spotty," reports Iris A. about Freeport/Durham KOA. Another camper notes, "bad WiFi and poor Verizon reception" in the same area.
Tips for camping with families
Activity planning: Campgrounds offer scheduled programming. "Normally, there are plenty of activities like s'mores by the fire, crafts, pony rides (yes, they have their own ponies on site), ice cream social, hay rides but this year they were cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic," explains Nancy W.
Playground options: Multiple play areas accommodate different age groups. "There is a pool with slide, a playground, a basketball hoop, a disc golf net. They have hayrides and a nightly train ride for younger visitors," describes Iris A.
Noise considerations: Sound travels differently depending on location. "This is truly a stunning little spot and it was so peaceful, until it wasn't... I had a very noisy group of young adults show up around 9pm and were up until 3 in the morning chatting and laughing," warns Jess Y. about waterfront sites.
Tips from RVers
Site length and accessibility: Full hookup sites accommodate larger rigs. "The park has nice super long 50 amp FHU pull-thrus in the front of the park which will fit any length RV and tow vehicle," explains Nancy W. about Freeport/Durham KOA.
Seasonal timing: Campgrounds operate on limited schedules. Freeport/Durham KOA runs from "April 28 to October 30," allowing for early spring and late fall camping opportunities.
Satellite reception: Open sites provide better connectivity options. "Since we were in the open area, we were able to get both satellite with our roof-mounted dome and some over-the-air channels from Portland which is about 45 minutes away," shares Nancy W.
