Camden Maine offers access to camping at a range of elevations, from sea level along Penobscot Bay to sites near the summit of Mount Battie at 800 feet. The region experiences temperature swings between day and night, with summer daytime temperatures averaging 75-80°F and dropping to 55-65°F after sunset. The forest canopy at most campgrounds consists primarily of tall pine trees that provide natural shade but also drop sap on RV roofs during warm weather.
What to do
Kayaking at Megunticook Lake: Located just 5 miles from Camden Hills State Park Campground, this freshwater paddling spot offers an alternative to ocean kayaking. "Camden is where the Mountains Meet the Sea and the trails in CHSP offer some of the most beautiful views on the coast. Within 10 miles are great museums like the Farnsworth Art Museum, the Maine Lighthouse Museum, the Sail, Power, and Steam Museum, and others," notes a reviewer.
Attend lobster bakes: Saturday lobster dinners are a regional tradition at Megunticook by the Sea Campground. "The owners host a Lobster bake on Saturdays and it was so good. The staff was very friendly and helpful. They also had great showers with hot water! And free coffee in the office at 8," reports one camper.
Island exploration: For adventurous campers, take the ferry from Lincolnville to Islesboro, then paddle to Warren Island State Park Campground for a remote camping experience. "If you would rather not take the ferry you can launch from Lincolnville but it will be about 2.6 miles, with possible bad weather, and regularly occurring container ships," advises a visitor.
Farm-based camping experience: During blueberry season in late July and August, visitors can stay at Continuous Harmony Farm while picking organic blueberries. "Chill out and watch the sheep, or pick your own blueberries alongside their raking crew in their organic wild blueberry barrens," notes a reviewer.
What campers like
Cedar showers: Multiple campgrounds offer unique shower facilities that visitors consistently praise. At Searsport Shores Ocean Campground, "the showers are of similar construction to a sauna and it feels like a hot shower outdoors. 11/10," according to one happy camper.
Community atmosphere: Many Camden area campgrounds foster social connections. "The atmosphere is the epitome of laidback and the scenery was breathtaking. We'll definitely be back!" notes a Searsport Shores visitor. Another mentions, "they have casual jam sessions every night around the bonfire (bring your instrument and they'll fit you in!)."
Waterfront access: Campers value direct water access, whether ocean or lake. At Sennebec Lake Campground, "We love the proximity to the lake with easy access for kayaking and swimming. New ownership this year resulted in some updates, as well as the addition of glamping tents near the beach."
Proximity to multiple coastal towns: The central location allows exploration beyond Camden. "The park is in a great location to Camden and nearby towns. We loved taking the ferry to Vinalhaven Island for the day and picking up prepared food at the Market Basket and eating it along the Rockland Harbor waterfront watching the boats come and go."
What you should know
Site leveling challenges: The hilly terrain affects many campgrounds. At Megunticook Campground, "The sites here are nicely wooded and have a decent amount of separation between most of them BUT the campground is located too close to the road and, with the exception of sites 84-87 and cabins 8-10, you will hear road noise in your site."
Limited WiFi and connectivity: Internet access varies significantly. "Wifi was a service you had to pay for which is almost unheard of in today's campgrounds. Most campgrounds offer free wifi but this one only offered the wifi for a fee," notes one reviewer about Camden Hills RV Resort.
Reservation requirements vary: Some campgrounds require substantial advance planning while others offer walk-up sites. At Camden Hills State Park, "Reservations can be made on-line but only about half of the sites are reservable leaving the other half for walk-ups. I would advise making reservations if you want to stay over a weekend or during the summer season as this park really fills up."
Additional fees may apply: Check for extra charges beyond the base rate. One camper noted, "$7.95 if you need to hook up to WiFi. We were able to use our own portable WiFi. $10 to use the dump station (we found another place that charged $5)."
Tips for camping with families
Playground options: Lobster Buoy Campsites offers basic facilities while maintaining ocean access. "We are pop-up campers. We had plenty of room for our camper. Dog friendly. Bathrooms were very clean. 'Playground' is a bit of a stretch. Firewood was a bit pricey at $7 a bundle."
Swimming areas: Not all waterfront campgrounds offer swimming access. "The bottom part does not, however, have true water access for swimming or kayaking. The closest place for this the Camden City Park, which is 2.5 miles away, and is a great place to launch a kayak."
Kid-friendly activities: Look for campgrounds with organized events. "Activities started up again this year, with events such as kids' crafts, a kids vs adults water gun fight, cornhole competition, and a DJ for an evening of dancing - just on the weekend we were there."
Indoor options for rainy days: Some campgrounds provide shelter during inclement weather. "The rec room is a large but cozy place to hang out if/when it rains, with a fireplace and cozy couches."
Tips from RVers
Pine sap challenges: The region's abundant pine trees create unique maintenance issues. "Parking under the pines also meant a lot of sap on our roof which was a bear to remove."
Site selection for big rigs: Limited large sites are available in the area. "Although the park accommodates larger RV's, there are a limited number of sites for those over 35 feet and the gravel roads are easy to navigate in a big rig."
Television reception issues: Prepare for limited entertainment options. "The other problem was that we did not get any over-the-air television channels and they did not have cable. Satellite reception was also a problem because of the trees."
Amenity trade-offs: Consider your priorities when selecting a campground. "Premier oceanfront sites (with no sewer and 30 amps) are $72/night during high season. That being said, there are not too many options for campgrounds in the Belfast area."
