Camping opportunities surround the rural town of Buckfield, Maine, located in the foothills of the White Mountains at approximately 400 feet elevation. The area experiences heavy snowfall in winter with cold temperatures often dropping below zero, while summer brings warm days typically ranging from 70-85°F. Campground options near Buckfield vary widely from full-service RV resorts to waterfront tent sites, with seasonal operation generally running May through mid-October.
What to do
Kayaking and canoeing on local waterways: At Martin Stream Campground in nearby Turner, campers can enjoy paddling along the stream that runs through the property. "This is a beautiful, family and pet friendly campground. Very well kept. There is a beautiful nature trail along the stream!" notes reviewer Dawn.
Hiking nearby preserves: Several nature preserves within 30 miles of Buckfield offer hiking opportunities from beginner to advanced. "Nearby is the Ovens Mouth Preserve which has great hiking and nice water views and is just one of many nature preserves in the area which all are very nice, well-marked, well-maintained, and dog-friendly," reports Nancy W. about outdoor activities near Shore Hills Campground.
Disc golf courses: Some campgrounds in the region include on-site disc golf. "Very nice campground with a good camp store and disc golf course. We will stay again!" says J B. about Beaver Brook Campground, now known as Jellystone Park Androscoggin Lake.
Sunday River ski area summer activities: During summer months, the nearby ski resort offers scenic chairlift rides and hiking. "About five miles away is Sunday River which is a ski area. We took the chair lift up the mountain so we could hike around and take in the beautiful views," shares Nancy W. when describing activities near Bethel Outdoor Adventure and Campground.
What campers like
Waterfront camping sites: Many campgrounds in the region offer premium sites along rivers and lakes. Rachel S. notes about Shore Hills Campground: "We had a site at the end that had wonderful views of the river and we could angle our camper so we had privacy. The river is tidal and so unless you want to wade threw mud there is not access beyond a couple hours around high tide."
Family-friendly amenities: Campgrounds near Buckfield often cater to families with pools, playgrounds, and organized activities. "Beaver Brook in Monmouth Maine is a must stay if you have kids from babies to teens... We spent our days in the lake, pool, or just hanging out while our kids (ranging from 8-12) rode their bikes, made friends at the playground or participated in the activities that the camp had to offer," reports Angela M.
On-site food options: Some rv parks near Buckfield offer restaurants and brewery options. Kwan C. shares about Boothbay Craft Brewery & RV Resort: "The brewery and restaurant are phenomenal! Some of the best pizza I have ever had and of course being in Maine tried the lobster pizza."
Spacious, private sites: Many campgrounds feature well-separated sites with natural screening. "Sites are wide and long enough. Great Wifi and they use satellite TV, you need their converter but you get your deposit back when you turn it in," notes Pat C. about Bethel Outdoor Adventure and Campground.
What you should know
Seasonal limitations: The camping season in the Buckfield area is shorter than southern regions. "Bath house was old but clean. Coin pay for hot water in the showers. Old school in that you have to call to make reservations and they do not accept credit cards," explains Rachel S. about Shore Hills Campground's facilities.
Tidal water access: Coastal campgrounds experience significant tidal changes. "The tides are crazy in Maine so be careful if you use the boat launch that you don't get stuck on a mud flat when the 9-11' tide disappears," warns Nancy W. about water access near Shore Hills Campground.
Dump station policies: Some campgrounds restrict dump station usage. "There are no sewer hookups (which is fine) but you are only allowed ONE use at dump station upon leaving the campground. I arrived with a 1/3 tanks and wanted to dump on way into park because I was staying 3 days/nights and they said ok but you can't dump on the way out," reports Rod L. about Martin Stream Campground.
Road noise considerations: Several campgrounds in the region are located near busy roads. "The campground is located off Route 2 which is fairly convenient but the road noise was pretty loud as this is a heavily trafficed road," notes Nancy W. about Bethel Outdoor Adventure and Campground.
Tips for camping with families
Water activities for different ages: Naples Campground (formerly Naples KOA) offers water recreation suitable for various age groups. "Kids loved the water slides, crafts and pool. We'll go back for sure!" says Cyn D. about the family amenities.
Seasonal camper interaction: Be aware that some campgrounds have many seasonal residents. "Each sight had water and electricity hook ups and wifi pretty much from the entire spread of sites. The sites are pretty much on top of one another which is the only reason it's a 4 star for me... It was a little odd with everyone seeming to be friendly and already knowing one another," explains Catherine M. about the social dynamic at Martin Stream Campground.
Evening entertainment options: Campgrounds frequently schedule evening activities for families. "For parents; live entertainment with local bands on Saturday nights, an adult only swim nightly... candy bar bingo (where you can play bingo WITH your kids and was quite fun) and just a nice atmosphere all around between all the other families there," describes Angela M. about Jellystone Park Androscoggin Lake.
Quiet time enforcement: Some campgrounds strictly enforce quiet hours. "The security people have been extremely aggressive to us. I could understand if they asked us respectfully not to add to it but the woman got right in our face yelling at us and telling us that she wasn't leaving until the fire is out including the coals," warns Jeremy P. about his experience at Danforth Bay Camping & RV Resort.
Tips from RVers
Site selection for larger rigs: For big rigs, carefully review campground maps before booking. "We chose to stay at this campground because it was close to downtown Bethel, had river access, and had a full hook-up site for our 45' RV... Not all sites are level and we found it difficult to get into because of the tight roads and dangling tree limbs," cautions Nancy W. about Bethel Outdoor Adventure and Campground.
Sewer hookup placement: Be prepared for challenging sewer connections at some rv parks near Buckfield. "We selected a 50-amp full hookup pull through site which was $46/night. Our sewer was uphill at our site which is a big pet peeve of ours and super annoying when it comes to empty the tanks," notes Nancy W.
Privacy considerations: Site layout varies significantly between campgrounds and sections. "We were in Site 13; it was level and easy enough to back into but just a tad challenging when it was time to leave (we were ok with our 18-foot van, but a larger rig would definitely have trouble)," shares Lee D. about their experience at Boothbay Craft Brewery & RV Resort.
Wi-Fi reliability issues: Internet connectivity remains inconsistent throughout the region. "The wifi at our site (#21) was horrible and we never used it. There is no cable and we were not able to pick up any over-the-air television channels," reports Nancy W. about connectivity at Bethel Outdoor Adventure and Campground.