Kennebunkport and Old Orchard Beach make up the heart of Maine's coastal camping region with elevations rarely exceeding 30 feet above sea level. The flat terrain creates salt marshes that are perfect for wildlife viewing, especially during spring and fall migrations. Summer temperatures average 75-85°F during the day with cooler evenings dropping to 55-65°F, creating ideal conditions for glamping close to Biddeford Pool, Maine.
What to do
Kayaking from camp: Access the salt marsh directly from Wild Duck Adult Campground & RV Park where "the marshes reflect the sun and give the perfect picture for relaxation" during sunrise and sunset according to camper Josh G. The campground is about a mile from the Eastern Trail for hiking and biking.
Beach access with transportation: At Bayley's Camping Resort, campers can use "free shuttle to transport you back and forth to ocean" as Amy R. notes. Many guests appreciate not dealing with beach parking during peak season.
Off-season activities: Fall visitors to Sandy Pines Campground enjoy watching the changing leaves. "We stayed here to see the fall colors. The park is laid out very nice. The sites are nice size with gravel. They are under trees so we could watch the colors change," explains Marilea G., noting that not all amenities remain open in autumn.
Mountain biking: Access excellent trail systems directly from camping areas. Joe R. from Sandy Pines mentions "great mountain biking either through the Tyler Preserve down to Cape Porpoise or North through the Emmitt Smith Preserve," providing alternatives to beach activities.
What campers like
Adult-only options: For couples and older travelers, Wild Duck Adult Campground & RV Park offers a quieter experience. Kevin W. notes the campground is "small but well maintained" with seasonal sites that are "very large and level with a picnic table and fire ring."
Heated facilities: Multiple campgrounds maintain heated pools for shoulder season camping. At Paradise Park Resort, Nathan S. appreciated that "we were surprised by the amount of French speaking campers from Quebec! We loved the diversity it brought," pointing to the international appeal of the area.
Dog-friendly amenities: Sun Outdoors Old Orchard Beach Downtown includes a dedicated dog park. Alex M. notes, "Bathrooms are nice and clean, the grounds are nice and clean, and the dog park is a great bonus," making it convenient for pet owners.
Single-user bathrooms: Camper Kaileigh K. specifically mentioned that at Sandy Pines, "The bathrooms were always clean and single user, some had showers as well," which many visitors prefer over traditional communal facilities.
What you should know
Site privacy varies significantly: Some campgrounds offer more secluded sites than others. Tim S. noted at Sandy Pines that "the tent sites we were at were all next to each other, again, with zero trees for shade cover and zero trees for privacy. See photos - we were basically in the wide open."
Seasonal limitations: Most glamping accommodations near Biddeford Pool operate from May through October. Some facilities close earlier, with Paradise Park Resort running "May 15 to Labor Day" according to their listing information.
Train noise: At Wild Acres Sun RV Resort, Bryan warns that "the campground map is missing the train tracks that are between the campground and the ocean. The trains all blow there horn and you will hear it if your at one of the site 'by the ocean'."
Insect preparation: The coastal marsh environment means mosquitoes can be intense. Megan W. from Wild Duck Adult Campground warns, "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."
Tips for camping with families
Check age-specific areas: Some resorts separate family and adult zones. Old Orchard Beach Campground has "a basketball court, Wiffle ball field, horseshoes, badminton, playgrounds, arcade, swimming pools and hot tub, group bonfire, and dog park," according to Nancy W., providing variety for different age groups.
Consider weekday visits: Bryan noted at Wild Acres Sun RV Resort that weekends get "crazy busy. A little too much," with many families reporting quieter experiences midweek.
Look for campgrounds with beach shuttles: Paradise Park Resort offers shuttle service to Old Orchard Beach, with Jessica S. noting it's "Walking distance to Old Orchard Beach, this campground has something for everyone. While the site are fairly small and crowded, it hardly matters because of all of the amenities."
Check evening activities: Paradise Park Resort offers "fun dances with kid games at night. My kids love it here!" according to Alycia G., providing entertainment after beach days.
Tips from RVers
Site selection matters: At Sandy Pines, Joe R. noted "While I love having all the amenities, I think we would have enjoyed one of the electric only sites closer to the Marsh," showing that premium full-hookup sites aren't always the most desirable locations.
Seasonal crowding: Celeste C. from Sandy Pines recommends "We took a mid-September vacation and love how nice it is with fellow campers spread out. We are not resort campers, but this is very nice now that children are back in school."
Big rig considerations: While many campgrounds advertise as big-rig friendly, Steve K. notes about Sandy Pines that "there are only a few transient sites that can handle a camper over 30ft," making advance reservations essential for larger RVs.
Internet reliability varies: Tina from Sun Outdoors Old Orchard Beach Downtown warns "we paid extra for what was supposed to be fast, streamable wifi, but at times that didn't work at all or was very slow," suggesting those needing reliable connectivity should have backup options.
