228 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Bryant Pond, Maine provides access to multiple camping areas across western Maine's lakes and mountains region. Established campgrounds include Papoose Pond Family Campground and Cabins in nearby Waterford, offering tent, RV, cabin, and glamping accommodations. Crocker Pond, a small, quiet campground with only seven sites near Bethel, provides a more secluded experience directly on the water. The campground landscape around Bryant Pond features a mix of privately-operated facilities with various amenities and more rustic public sites situated on ponds and near hiking trails.
Most campgrounds in the region operate seasonally, typically from mid-May through mid-October or Columbus Day weekend. Littlefield Beaches Campground runs from May 15 to September 25, while others like Pleasant River Campground remain open until October 31. Winter conditions with heavy snowfall make most facilities inaccessible during the off-season. Travelers should note that many campgrounds fill quickly during summer weekends and holidays, particularly waterfront sites. A visitor commented, "When we pulled up to this quiet campground during a warm and sunny day in October, the light shone through the trees on an idyllic pond wreathed in fall color."
Several campgrounds in the area feature full amenities including electric hookups, showers, and sanitary facilities, making them suitable for both tent and RV camping. Papoose Pond and Littlefield Beaches provide cabin options for those seeking more comfort. Campers seeking a more primitive experience favor Crocker Pond, which offers basic facilities including vault toilets and hand-pumped water. As described in feedback on The Dyrt, "Nice little campground right off the 'pond' which is excellent for catching a meal. Only 7 sites all hidden away in the trees with a vault toilet and an old school hand pump for water." The proximity to outdoor recreation stands out in user reviews, with many mixed-use campgrounds providing access to hiking trails, fishing opportunities, and water activities like canoeing and kayaking.
"If you bring yoyr own kayaks there is a ruver with a take out close to the campground. U could walk back or drive in with a truck for pick up! This place is amazing! Will continue to go every year!"
"Perfect spot to relax and get away from everything. Great amount of amenities and privacy."
"Into the Whites from West Bethel, Crocker Pond is an off the beaten path car camping destination. Beautiful place to set up camp for a night to 14 days."
"With no one else around we thought, “welcome to the perfect campsite.” Each site offers a picnic table, fire ring, and access to the pond."
from $18 / night
Check Availability"Very nice has a pool close to grafton state park"
"Sites are a little close to each other, but they're very long. Great pool, fun rec room area (we learned how to play shuffleboard!) We were the 2nd tiny house there!"
"This campground is privately owned and is situated in an amazing spot in the mountains of Western Maine."
"This small, private campground just outside Grafton Notch State Park offers clean, level, quiet sites with hot showers. If you don’t need wi-fi and hook-ups, this is the place for you!"
from $28 / night
Check Availability"It is very close to the highway so there there is some traffic noise but not bad. Tents are in a different area."
"There was a very cool suspension bridge to take you to on a walk to a private island. I definitely plan on visiting again!"
"This is a great campground for enjoying all the recreational activities in the Bethel, Maine area - hiking in the Grafton Notch area and AT, paddling on the Androscoggin, biking trails in the area, or"
"We ended up needing to move sites because the group next to us was *awful* to put it nicely. Our second site was fantastic and our neighbors were fine."
from $28 - $40 / night
Check Availability"These campsites are located on a dead end dirt road. The campsites are spread out so you are not on top of each other (I think there are only 8 sites on the road.) "
"Highwater trail with bridge close by. Great stars. Creek runs through road near sites good for getting water to filter or washing. Trailhead at end of road."
"The Loon's Nest is the perfect setting to enjoy the best of Maine, sitting along the lake with several mountains nearby. "
from $125 / night
Check Availability"Train tracks close to the campground. Great for little ones to watch go by, or adults at night to watch by the campfire. Bad. Train is loud."
from $51 - $58 / night
Check Availability"Our camp sites were next to each other but also very private. No water or electricity except at the main bathrooms where there are showers, toilets and a dish wash station. Beautiful lake!"
"Mount Blue is an awesome Maine State Park about 2 hrs. north-west of Portland, 1hr from the White Mts. in NH and 1.5 hours from the Quebec border. "
from $20 - $30 / night
Check Availability
TravelerPros: We have the p lube nearly to ourselves, thus it was very similar to dispersed camping. Nice little campground with two small ponds (One for fishing, the other for swimming). Nothing very remarkable, though.
Cons: As others have mentioned, if you want flush toilets and pay showers, you have to either stay at the more crowded, larger loop or walk across the highway to get to those amenities.
ScoutWe stayed midweek and the park was 1/2 empty. Lots of kids activities. Wonderful bathrooms and showers. Great laundry. Close to Freeport but not the water
ScoutWe just came back from a big family weekend there. We had 5 sites with 19 people(including children). This is by far the most rundown campground I've stayed! Only 1 bathroom facility was functioning. Of the 3 times I tried taking a shower, I only succeeded 1 time. The other 2 times(once at night and once the following morning at 6am) I only got drops coming out of the hot and cold faucets. I tried the only 2 stalls. Speaking of bathrooms...these have not been updated since the 60s-early 70s when I was camping with the same style bathroom facilities. The children's playground should be condemned!!! At least 25% of the wood is rotted. Some steps are missing from ladders. My granddaughter was swinging in the childs swing, the bottom unlatched and she fell through the bottom. If she wasn't monkey like in holding on she would have done a face plant to the ground. After looking at the swing, I found the plastic latch broken! 2 positives: the campsites are very nice! and the beach is great! Bottom line, these owners are not putting any money back into the campground and it's facilities. They are running it into the ground. I won't be coming back again!
TravelerIt was everything we were looking for, right on the river, quiet and clean, the section we stayed in was all tent camping so we weren’t sandwiched in between a bunch of RVs blocking the view. There was no lights, generators or loud music. Alcohol wasn’t permitted so that really cuts down on a lot of unnecessary nonsense. Pets are permitted and our dog loved it. It was very pleasant and relaxing. Can’t wait to go back.
GuideStayed 8 nights with complete solitude. Bugs weren't too bad. There were plenty of dead birch trees and beech trees for firewood. Not any evergreens though. Site 16 has two campsites. I took the further one with plenty of room. Good size fire pit, but people before me left some large pieces of wood not completely put out along with lit coals.
ScoutWe stayed in site #5. It was grassy and had a little creek running next to it that was lovely to listen to.
TravelerHonestly a wonderful place, gorgeous little lake and beach, incredibly helpful and friendly staff. Note though if you’re staying in one of the new RV sites, it is nowhere near the bathrooms or bathhouse - like a 10+ minute walk, and I wouldn’t want to do it at night. The RV section is clearly still very very new, and they’re working out the kinks, so only go here if you’ve got a self-sufficient RV and don’t need bathrooms. There are all 3 hookups, though the sewer hookup was so far back our short hose did not reach. But they do sell extensions at the visitors center, and there is a dump station, though we had to call to have them unlock it. Overall a great place, but be aware if you’re looking for a place with both full RV hookups and bathrooms, this is not it!
ScoutVery nice camp spot. Private away from other spaces. Very nice site manager. Must be self contained, no hook up amenities available. Trash dumpster on site.
RangerA small campground with closely spaced sites in a heavily wooded area. There is some road noise (even though it’s on a back road), but we could barely hear it camped in the back loop. Nice shower rooms, pit toilets and a cool common area with a coffee maker, sink, hot plate and extra kitchen items. Well maintained and the campground host was friendly and helpful.
Bryant Pond camping options extend beyond established campgrounds to several less developed areas in western Maine. Most sites operate from May through October, with some open through November 1. Winter camping is generally unavailable due to heavy snow. The area's elevation ranges from 700 to 1,500 feet, creating distinct seasonal camping conditions with cool nights even in summer.
Kayaking and canoeing on Androscoggin River: Bethel Outdoor Adventure and Campground offers river access with equipment rentals and shuttle service. "The campground rents kayaks, canoes, and tubes and has a shuttle service that will take you up river for so you can float back to the campground," notes one visitor who enjoyed the convenient river access.
Hiking the Appalachian Trail: Located minutes from Grafton Notch Campground, multiple trail sections provide day hike options. "Open from mid-May through Columbus Day, this campground offers 15 well wooded sites close to great hiking and natural sightseeing spots within steps (or minutes) of the campground. Moose Cave, Screw Auger Falls and the AT are all near the campground," explains a visitor.
Fishing for local catch: Crocker Pond offers excellent fishing opportunities. "Nice little campground right off the 'pond' which is excellent for catching a meal," shares one camper who enjoyed the accessible fishing directly from the campsite.
Privacy between sites: Papoose Pond Family Campground and Cabins offers spacious wooded sites on two different sides of the property. "Lots of nice spacious wooded sites. Located on 2 sides of a road, the side opposite the lake was much nicer and more spacious. Sites around the lake very crowded together. Sites across road much more spacious," explains a camper who appreciated the layout options.
Clean facilities: Campgrounds in the region maintain high cleanliness standards. "Bathrooms and separate showers are clean and well maintained, with outhouses located in strategic places for easy access," notes a visitor to Mount Blue State Park Campground.
Family activities: Organized events keep children engaged at several campgrounds. "Went to Papoose over Memorial weekend with the family and had a blast! Staff was super friendly, tons of activities for kids and adults, nightly entertainment, and lots more! Played parents VS kids kickball and laughed so hard," shares a family who enjoyed the structured recreation options.
Site reservations fill quickly: Most popular campgrounds near Bryant Pond require advance booking, especially for summer weekends.
Limited cell service: Many camping areas have spotty or no coverage. "No cell service but front desk has wifi," notes a visitor to Grafton Notch Campground.
Water access varies: Crocker Pond provides direct water access at most sites. "We are at site 2 and it's right on the water! Good space in between sites. Lots of privacy!" shares a camper. In contrast, other campgrounds require a walk or drive to reach swimming areas.
Seasonal operations: Most campgrounds have similar operating schedules from May to October, though exact dates vary. "The campground is only 8 miles from the town of Bethel, ME. This small hamlet offers a few restaurants, gas stations and grocery stores," notes a visitor describing nearby services.
Look for dedicated activity programs: Martin Stream Campground offers regular scheduled events. "This is a beautiful, family and pet friendly campground. Very well kept. The bathrooms and showers were always clean. Plenty of activities. There is a beautiful nature trail along the stream!" shares a family camper.
Consider cabin options: For families new to camping, several places offer cabin rentals. "We rented a one room cabin that was perfect for two who flew in without camping gear. Fridge, coffee pot, microwave and AC. One queen bed and a bunk bed made for comfortable sleeping and a fire pit was even included," explains a visitor to Martin Stream Campground.
Water safety planning: Many sites are directly on water bodies without lifeguards. "The pond is amazing. The store is huge! The sites are huge! We always get the same HHK. But they offer everything from a basic site to cottages," writes a Papoose Pond visitor describing the water access.
Site selection matters: Stony Brook Recreation and Campground offers year-round RV camping with amenities. "I am currently living all year round at Stony Brook Campgrounds. Showers clean, bathrooms clean. Very nice pool. Basketball and volleyball. RV pull thru sites and tents and cabins as well," notes a long-term RVer.
Dump station limitations: Some campgrounds have restrictive policies. "There are no sewer hookups (which is fine) but you are only allowed ONE use at dump station upon leaving the campground," explains a camper at Martin Stream who encountered unexpected limitations.
RV site spacing: Site proximity varies significantly between campgrounds. "Sites are a little close to each other, but they're very long," reports a visitor to Stony Brook Recreation and Campground, highlighting the tradeoff between width and length at some locations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I camp at Bryant Pond in Maine?
The Bryant Pond area offers several camping options. Crocker Pond is an off-the-beaten-path destination near West Bethel with about 7 sites, 5 directly on the water, allowing stays from 1-14 days. For those seeking river access, Bethel Outdoor Adventure and Campground provides options ranging from full hookup RV sites to shaded tent camping spots close to downtown Bethel. Other nearby options include Papoose Pond Family Campground and Littlefield Beaches Campground, both offering waterfront sites for a classic Maine camping experience.
What fishing opportunities are available at Bryant Pond?
Bryant Pond offers excellent fishing opportunities for brook trout, smallmouth bass, and landlocked salmon. Nearby, Lakeside Pines Campground on Long Lake provides both lakeside sites and wooded sites with easy lake access for fishing enthusiasts. For river fishing, Timberland Campground features a beautiful walking path along a river where you can cast your line. The wider region includes several water bodies within a short drive, making it an ideal base for a fishing trip in western Maine.
Are there cabins or lodging facilities at Bryant Pond?
Yes, the Bryant Pond area offers various lodging options beyond traditional camping. Grafton Notch Campground is a privately owned facility in western Maine's mountains with 15 wooded sites, open from mid-May through Columbus Day. For cabin accommodations specifically, Pleasant River Campground near Bethel provides cabin rentals alongside their traditional campsites. Additionally, The Loon's Nest offers waterfront lodging options. These facilities typically require reservations well in advance, especially during the peak summer season.
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