Calais is the perfect place for adventurous campers and RVers. There's so much to see and do, from exhilarating hikes or bike rides to exploring the local dining and shopping. Discover great camping spots near Calais, reviewed by campers like you.
$20 / night
"Surrounded by water on 3 sides, this state park has a lot to offer. "
"One of the best campgrounds we’ve been to in America, beautiful views, close to amazing hiking (highly recommend bold coast trail)."
"Despite taking place during the period of social distancing, everyone at the SF-160 campsite strictly followed the clearly posted epidemic prevention regulations."
"Lovely place on a small lake. Staff was wonderful, the site was lovely with a great view of the lake. The lake was clean and we swam, kayaked and crossed the lake on paddle boards."
$35 - $40 / night
"The tent sites are great — right on the water’s edge — and much more spacious and private than the hookup sites."
"(The only downside is they are farther away from the bathroom.) Some tent sites (A– D) have a wooden shade structure with picnic table and fire pit, the others just have a fire pit and picnic table."
"Location is good and if the border wasn't closed it would be closer to even more sights to see! The owners are nice and very responsive."
"There is a wide grassy area across from the sites and right on the waters edge. Picnic tables and fire pits."
"This primitive campground is part of the Cobscook Shores Land Trust which operates 15 parks and preserves in the eastern portion of Maine near the town of Lubec."
"Pretty quiet and right near the border if you are looking for a stop before/after crossing."
"After turning off the highway you take a dirt road for about a mile until you see a sign for the campsites."
"Picked this location because it was close to several locations we could take day trips to the coast.
Visited Bar Harbor, Eastport and several places in between."
ScoutGood stop between Millinocket and Acadia Nat'l Park. Very accessible owner. Outstanding bath facilities w/ United hot water, (free too!)
ScoutAmazing lakefront lot, very private and comes with a big common area to BBQ and clean Port-a-Potty on the top of the 1 acre sloped lot. Brought our own kayak to enjoy Gardner and Second Lakes!
LegendGeneral: 31 RV sites with w/e plus six tent sites with no hookups.
Site Quality: Our site was on grass and level enough that we could make it work without much difficulty. Sites 12A and 12B are the best IMO as they have an unobstructed view of the bay and more space between them than other sites. The lettered tent sites are also good, IMO, especially A, E, and F. Sites 1-29 are very close together with no physical separation between them in typical RV park fashion. Each site has a picnic table and fire ring, however, sites 1-4 share a fire ring, making it a good choice for people traveling together
Bath/Shower house: Clean. Toilet stalls are a bit tight. The shower was also a little tight. One stall had plenty of hooks, but I could not get the faucets to work; the other stall only had one hook, but I could get the faucets to work! Plenty of hot water.
Activities/Amenities: Dishwashing sink, laundry (three washers/three dryers, $1.50 each) Free WiFi, and morning coffee on the porch. Firewood and ice are available for purchase for a reasonable amount (after-hours wood is available on the honor system). You can sign up in the office for a lobster set-up which includes a pot, burner, and propane to cook lobsters, clams, or crabs at your site. There are no activities at the campground, but you are encouraged to explore the town of Lubec, especially the West Quoddy lighthouse at sunrise. In the afternoon, we enjoyed watching the tide come in and out in the bay and I could do yoga on the grassy area. There was also a shared swing where you can enjoy the tide and sunsets.
Cindy and her husband manage this campground, and we received a hearty welcome from Cindy when we checked in. After we paid (Cash or check only, no credit cards), she gave us the lowdown on what we should see and do in the small town of Lubec, especially the West Quoddy house lighthouse (which despite its name, is the easternmost point where you can see the sunrise in the US). Very quiet campground that was about half full when we were there. And yes, if the weather cooperates, the sunsets are beautiful.
GuideCobscook State Park is beautiful. The park is big, and many sites are very far apart - we had almost complete privacy. There are both reservable and non reservable sites. Some sites have Adirondack shelters. All sites have picnic tables and fire pits. The majority of the tent sites and small rv sites, and some larger rv sites, are on the water. We stayed at 2 different sites - a waterfront site and non waterfront - and both were scenic and private. There is no water/electric/power at any site. There are water stations around the park, as well as a bath house and dump station. The park rangers are friendly and helpful. There is a lot of wildlife and waterlife - we saw many seals and cormorants in the water, as well as a few eagles. You can launch a kayak from your campsite, or from the large dock/boat launch area in the park. Kayaking should be done with prior research to ensure familiarity with the tide changes (which are up to 20 ft) and currents, which are strong and dangerous in certain areas of Cobscook Bay. There is a great map published by Cobscook Shores that shows recommended kayak areas and tide access. It includes the launch that is in the park. https://cobscookshores.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/CS-System-Map.pdf
There are also a few open areas for picnicking or just relaxing, as well as a play area for kids. There are a few nice, relatively short and easy hiking trails that run through the park. One of the trails is right at the entrance, so you can park there if needed. For more advanced hiking, the Cutler Preserve land, Boot Head, and Quoddy Head are all nearby and offer incredible hikes of varying distances, up to 10 miles. Quoddy Head also has a lighthouse that is a popular attraction .
LegendSites are right on top of each other--better hope you like your neighbor! Otherwise, good location if you're traveling in a van/RV to the Lubec area and want a spot near town. Showers are a bit tiny, but great in that they're not coin-op nor on a timer.
LegendCalled and got a reservation day-of as my husband and I were driving through. We had a pleasant stay on a great site with a beautiful view and managed to get showers in and laundry done, too!
ScoutPay no attention to any reviews that are a year older as there are new owners now. The prices have tripled and there are 7 pages of rules you have to sign off on!! This campground has lost its personality! The previous owners were fantastic and extremely accommodating. New owners are invisible and everything is automated online and pricing is ridiculous! This used to be a very busy place but not anymore! I hope the new owners figure it out before it’s too late!
RangerPicked this location because it was close to several locations we could take day trips to the coast.
Visited Bar Harbor, Eastport and several places in between.
Because of those activities, we spent most of our time here sleeping and preparing 1-2 meals a day.
Evenings here were pretty quiet and not much traffic after dark. Bathroom was good but no water or garbage service.
RangerStayed for two nights after Labor Day. Only one other camper in the park and we never saw them but occasionally we could hear a voice. Other than that, it was quiet.
There are about 9 campsites, each with a picnic table, a fire ring and a large camping and parking area for each site.
The best feature of this campground is the view. There is a Lake on both east and west sides of the camping area. Three sites are view of both lakes from the camp sites. I woke up to a view of one lake and my wife saw the other lake from our camper.
The campground has three pit toilets. The large size of the camp sites makes it feel more secluded than it is
We did hear something like a lumber mill operating one morning. Not sure what that was all about.
A Ranger stopped by and visited with us. He then offered us a brochure on the camping area we are planning to visit next. Nice customer service right at our camp site!
Camping near Calais, Maine, offers a mix of beautiful scenery and outdoor activities. Whether you're looking for a quiet retreat or an adventure-filled getaway, there are plenty of campgrounds to choose from.
Camping near Calais, Maine, has something for everyone, from stunning views to family-friendly activities. Just be prepared for the unique quirks of each campground!
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best campgrounds near Calais, Maine?
The Calais area offers excellent camping options with spectacular coastal scenery. Cobscook Bay State Park Campground is highly recommended, featuring diverse sites surrounded by water on three sides. The park offers everything from tent-only loops to sites with beautiful bay views, making it perfect for experiencing Maine's easternmost sunrises. For a more primitive experience, Cutler Coast Public Land provides seaside hiking and overnight backpacking opportunities with first-come, first-served campsites. This location makes an ideal weekend getaway with stunning coastal views. Other excellent options include Keenes Lake Family Campground and Pleasant Lake Camping Area, both offering drive-in access within driving distance of Calais.
What amenities are available at Calais, Maine camping areas?
Camping areas near Calais offer varying levels of amenities. Huckins Beach and Trail provides a primitive camping experience with five tent-only sites, featuring basic facilities as part of the Cobscook Shores Land Trust. For those seeking more amenities, Long Point — Cutler Coast Ecological Reserve offers scenic coastal camping with gravel beaches and cliff-top sites. Many campgrounds in the region provide fire pits, picnic tables, and access to hiking trails. The more developed campgrounds feature restrooms, showers, and some offer electricity, water hookups, and dump stations. Some areas provide firewood for purchase, laundry facilities, and Wi-Fi access. Amenities vary significantly between primitive sites and more developed campgrounds, so it's advisable to check specific offerings before planning your trip.
Are there any RV-friendly campgrounds in Calais, Maine?
Sunset Point RV Park is an excellent option for RV campers near Calais. This small, well-maintained campground offers electricity and water hookups at most sites, a dump station, and convenient amenities including restrooms, showers, and laundry facilities. Located on Johnson Bay just minutes from Lubec, it provides stunning water views and serves as a perfect base for exploring the region. Keenes Lake Family Campground is another RV-friendly option near Calais with drive-in access and big-rig-friendly spaces. Other area campgrounds that accommodate RVs include Hilltop Campground in Robbinston and Pleasant Lake Camping Area in Alexander, both offering drive-in access suitable for larger vehicles.
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