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Best Tent Camping near Cape Elizabeth, ME

584 Reviews

The coastal region surrounding Cape Elizabeth, Maine offers several tent camping options within a short drive. Sun Outdoors Saco Old Orchard Beach, located about 20 miles southwest of Cape Elizabeth, provides dedicated tent campsites among tall pine trees. Tent-only camping is also available at Webbs Mills Stead, which features walk-in tent sites in a more secluded setting. For those seeking primitive tent camping experiences, Saco Bound offers tent sites along the Saco River, while Rustic Retreat provides both drive-in and walk-in tent camping options approximately 30 miles east of Cape Elizabeth.

Most tent campgrounds in the region operate seasonally, typically from May through mid-October. Sun Outdoors Saco operates from May 1 to October 15, while other facilities follow similar schedules aligned with Maine's camping season. Tent sites generally include basic amenities such as picnic tables and fire rings, with varying levels of additional services. Highway noise can be a consideration for tent campers at some locations, particularly at Sun Outdoors Saco where road noise is more noticeable without the sound insulation that RVs provide. Clean restroom facilities and showers are available at most established campgrounds, though primitive sites may offer only basic toilet facilities.

Tent campers frequently note the importance of selecting specific sites for the best experience. According to reviews, tent sites numbered 96, P5, P4, P3, P2, and P1 at Sun Outdoors Saco offer full shade and greater privacy compared to other areas of the campground. One camper observed that "tall pine trees offer nice shade and help alleviate some of the feel of a crowded campground." For backcountry tent camping enthusiasts, the Saco River area provides more natural surroundings, though it "gets busy in the summer" according to visitor reports. The proximity to beaches and natural areas like Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge adds value for tent campers seeking daytime activities, with several campgrounds offering convenient beach shuttle services during peak season.

Best Tent Sites Near Cape Elizabeth, Maine (12)

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Tent Camping Reviews near Cape Elizabeth, ME

584 Reviews of 12 Cape Elizabeth Campgrounds

  • L
    Aug. 20, 2021

    Desert of Maine Campground

    Aesthetically pleasing campground-- good for tent campers

    Desert of Maine campground is an excellent choice just 4-5 miles from the heart of Freeport at interstate exit # 22. This campground is well-imagined. Sites are close together, and some are small. There are 2 hike-in sites which are set apart. Wifi is provided throughout the campground and most sites have power. They must have studied "best practices" when designing this lovely campground. 

    I booked an extra night.

    This is an outdoor experience campground- not a wilderness adventure -- but perfect for young families…especially for those new to camping or those for whom a very sanitary classic bathroom is needed.Children find and entertain each other in the common area.

    Sites 19-27 face a shared square with excellent access to the modern and stylish bath house. Other sites have a somewhat further walk. Sites 17-27 are best for tents due to the configuration of the sites.. Tent sites # 2 & # 3 are short walk-in and very private, but lack easy access to the bath house. Almost all sites in this campground have shade and are under a beautiful canopy of old pine, maple and balsam.

    Site 24 is lovely & slightly set apart and cars are parked close by but not on the tent site. Site 27 is located down a steep slope and is very private but has difficult access. I would categorize site 27 as a hike-in site, but not # 24.  All sites are generally level and have been graded. Sites have scant privacy in front, but back up to forest. Sites 4, 6,17, 19, 23 & 26 have slightly more space but space is not the defining issue in this campground. RV's that are large should not try this campground. The maintenance is superb; and the thoughtful design of the overall campground is aesthetically pleasing. 

    This attractive campground is small-scale and personally managed. 

    Ice is available for purchase…as is wood. 

    Beware of speed trap on the 2 mile access road between the interstate & campground.

  • k
    Aug. 15, 2019

    Dixons Coastal Maine Campground

    LOTS of people but lovely campground

    This is an extremely large campground.  It seems that most of them on the coast of Maine are.  We didn't get a very good sight, but the person who answered the phone basically told us that when we called and it was all they had, so I can't say too much about that either (#17).  The sight was small and between the two driveways.  All of the sights seem to have rocky ground, so I recommend a sleep pad and a footprint for your tent so you don't rip the bottom.  

    Now, on to the other stuff.  There is a small playground that is weathered but in decent shape.  The pool is lovely and meticulously kept.  The grounds, bathrooms and showers are spotless.  It's 50 cents for 5 minutes to take a shower (unheard of) with hot water.  There is even hot water to wash your dishes next to the bathrooms.

    They sell ice, wood ($7) and many "I forgots" in the store (bacon, milk, etc...).  They give you a security card to get into the grounds ($10 deposit).  The campground was SUPER quiet and quiet hours go to 8am (thank you)!  Only an RV about to leave made a ton of noise at 7.

    I would go there again.  It was a safe place close to so many things.  The beach and everything else is VERY close but not so close as to be annoying.... 5 minutes at most.

  • Jess G.
    Aug. 19, 2017

    Sebago Lake State Park Campground

    In the woods but very crowded

    This campground was in the woods and was well maintained. The campsites definitely felt like they were on top of each other and are pretty small. We picked a medium one and could barely fit 2 tents and 2 cars with a safe distance from the fire. 2 sites were within 15ft of our fire pit. The bathrooms were very clean. The lake was nice too, sandy beaches. For a large portion of our stay it torrentially downpoured. The trees allowed us to canopy a tarp but our fire pit completely flooded and we had to bail it out when the rain finally stopped. If the sites weren't so close together and small I would definitely give this place 5 stars.

  • Jason D.
    Aug. 22, 2018

    Lake Pemaquid Campground

    Crowded, but great for kids

    lots of great amenities and events for kids. tent sites are on top of each other, but easy walk to camp store and bath houses. beach access for swimming in the lake. can be noisy outside of quiet hours, but becomes surprisingly quiet later at night.

  • C
    Jul. 6, 2021

    Powder Horn Family Camping Resort

    Unbelievably clean and quiet!

    Powder Horn is the best place we’ve ever stayed. Yes, it’s large. Yes, there are people who live there for months at a time, but this park is crazy clean … roads & restrooms. It reminded me of Disney in the way we never saw trash on the ground. They have quiet hours, large pool, activities for the family, movie nights, etc. They also have a shuttle to the beach.

  • Jean C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Dec. 1, 2021

    Hermit Island Campground

    Family-focused off-grid, beachside camping

    I’ve been to nearby Popham Beach SP a few times and wanted to check out camping in the area. I’d read good things about Hermit Island. If you camp here, you won't need to venture over to Popham Beach because the beaches are on site.

    This large coastal campground has campsites nestled among trees or dunes. Where natural separation of trees and grasses are insufficient, they’ve provided visual separation between sites, adding small fences where necessary. Some are expansive with plenty of space while others you’ll be cozy with your single vehicle and tent; others are walk-in sites. Sites have picnic tables and fire rings. There are lots of narrow curvy roads to the sites; you’ll want the map and read the street signs! Pop-ups are permitted on some sites, but absolutely no hard-sided trailers, no, not even teardrops(I mention this because I’ve seen some teardroppers expect to be treated like a tent, but that’s not an option here). With all the water around, have a plan for dealing with insects.

    It’s a bit of a haul to get here once you turn off the main road, so plan to do any last minute shopping in Bath or Brunswick(30 minutes to Bath without summer traffic). I could not get cell service at the campground, though I had spotty phone coverage on the road before the turnoff, but calls dropped randomly even when I was standing still.

    Reservations are by snail mail or phone months in advance and the prices are steep compared to a no-frills campground elsewhere; you’re paying for the privilege of being on the beach. There’s a large open to the public beach near the entrance and a few smaller beaches along the island. Bring your bikes and/or wagons…you’ll want them to get to the beach, explore the trails, or ride up to the camp store/snack shop. There are places to launch a kayak.

  • Rachel P.
    Jun. 8, 2022

    Augusta / Gardiner KOA

    Endearing, but in need of a little love…

    BF and I wanted a last minute fall weekend getaway in Maine, and ended up at the Augusta-Gardiner KOA. Generally tough to accomplish during leaf-peeping season, but we worked it out. We stayed at site T5, which was wooded but pretty open. Size was decent enough.

    Overall, I’d say sites T8, T9, T10 are best if you’re tent camping. While all tent sites are tightly spaced next to one another, these 3 provide the most shade and privacy of the bunch.

    Owners are super nice, but the campground could use a little love. Bathrooms and amenities are a little tired. There’s potential though, and some really cute details, like a little fairy house and homemade, bear-carved benches around a KOA-community fire pit, that make the campground endearing. Also, there’s a bunch to do during prime season, particularly for the kiddies- pool, mini-golf, bounce house, playground and space to runaround.

  • Nancy W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 30, 2021

    Winslow Park And Campground

    Great location with amazing views!

    This campground is a great option for relatively inexpensive campsite in an area that can have camping costs reach$65-100/night. The park is located on Casco Bay in the town of Freeport(home to L.L. Bean’s flagship store{which is open 24/7} and many other outlets). The views are great and you have a beach, boat launch and nice park at your disposal. The only downside– there are no hook-ups. I would book this campground all summer long if there were hookups. One nice thing about having no hook-ups is that you can either pull in or back into the site to maximize your view and not have to worry about how to run your hoses. Sites are on grass and some are right on the water with amazing views of the bay. Each site has a picnic table and fire pit. Many other sites don’t have a water view but offed shade and more privacy. The waterfront sites are always booked so you don’t get much privacy. Personally, I want the water view so you better book early. Reservations can be made online and by doing so you can view pictures of individual campsites. Dogs are allowed for a$1 fee but are not allowed on the beach which was a bummer since our lab was eyeing it the entire time. There are hiking trails in the park so our dog loved that. Kids love the huge playground and there is an amphitheater with weekly concerts. Since there are no water or sewer hookups, a dump station and bathrooms are available and water spigots scattered about the campground. We got plenty of over-the-air television channels out of Portland and our Verizon phone and hotspot worked great. There is a boat launch onsite which makes it super easy if you want to paddle in the bay but beware there is a 9-11’ tide so watch the charts and plan your trip so you don’t get stranded and have to port your watercraft across a sinking clam flat. 

    Other reviews mention some not-so-nice encounters with staff but we did not have any.  People didn't seem overly friendly but that was fine with us as we weren't trying to make friends.

    Some of the places we love to visit when in the area Bow Market, the Maine Beer Company (which has great pizza), and Harraseeket restaurant in South Freeport which has great fresh seafood and a water view. You are just a short drive from Portland so we spent a day down there visiting the Old Port, the art Museum and eating at Duck Fat(a favorite restaurant of ours). Another nearby camping option is Recompense at Wolfe’s Neck which also has great waterfront views and is on a really cool farm.

  • A
    Oct. 4, 2022

    Sun Outdoors Old Orchard Beach Downtown

    Great Campsite

    Reservations online was super easy, and the hosts are great. They allowed me to drive around and look at the other campsites as I was needing a site with limited/no tree coverage. Plus I’m still learning how to handle my van, so was looking for a very flat spot. Bathrooms are nice and clean, the grounds are nice and clean, and the dog park is a great bonus.

Guide to Cape Elizabeth

Tent camping near Cape Elizabeth, Maine offers seasonal options approximately 10-30 miles from this coastal community. Most campgrounds operate from May through mid-October, with peak season running from late June through August when average temperatures range from 60-80°F. Proximity to beaches and natural areas makes this region popular for summer camping, with weekends often booking months in advance.

What to do

Beach shuttles and access: Sun Outdoors Saco Old Orchard Beach provides a convenient trolley service during summer months. According to camper Jill P., "Great location trolley will pick you up from the campground and take you to Old Orchard Beach."

Water activities: Paddling the Saco River offers a natural camping experience with primitive sites. Brian P. notes that Saco Bound is "Right on Saco river" though it "Gets busy in the summer."

Family recreation: Salmon Falls River RV Resort and Family Campground offers extensive on-site activities beyond just camping. Samantha N. reports, "Multiple pools, a water slide, high ropes, a jump pad, mini golf and more!!! My niece had so much fun!"

What campers like

Shaded campsites: The mature pine forests provide natural relief from summer heat at several campgrounds. According to Nancy W., at Sun Outdoors Saco Old Orchard Beach, "The campground sits among tall pine trees which offer nice shade helps alleviate some of the feel of a crowded campground."

Clean facilities: Campers frequently mention well-maintained bathrooms and common areas. Brittany M. reports, "The bathrooms were the cleanest I've seen camping and the staff was incredibly friendly!"

On-site dining options: Some campgrounds offer food services that enhance the camping experience. Nancy W. appreciated that "One of the nice features was the on-site restaurant which claims to be famous for their 'blueberry pancakes' and also offers Belgian waffles, pizza, hamburgers, and hot dogs."

What you should know

Site selection matters: Ben P. recommends calling ahead for the best tent sites: "The staff was very friendly and when I called to book the site, they assisted in helping us pick out the nicest campsite."

Seasonal considerations: Nearly all campgrounds in the area close by mid-October. Huttopia Southern Maine specifically operates "Mother's Day to Columbus Day" according to their listing.

Noise factors: Some campgrounds closer to major roads experience traffic noise, particularly during peak tourist season. Michelle D. notes that Sun Outdoors Saco has "a lot of people! A hot tourist destination, if you are looking for something in the deep woods not the best."

Tips for camping with families

Activity options: Family-oriented campgrounds offer structured programming. Erin M. mentions, "We really enjoyed our stay here. The staff was friendly, the bathrooms and grounds were very clean, activities were fun, the playground/pool was nice."

Cabin alternatives: For families with mixed camping comfort levels, Webbs Mills Stead offers walk-in tent sites for a more secluded experience while many other campgrounds provide cabin options. Rachel P. notes that at Sun Outdoors Saco, "K16 was a single room cabin that could comfortably sleep 4, furnished with a full-sized bed and a bunk bed."

Evening entertainment: Some campgrounds offer nighttime activities. Jill P. reports, "Kid activities were done regularly. Pizza and breakfast is very good if you do lunch want to cook. Outdoor movies were fun."

Tips from RVers

Campground transitions: Some properties have changed management recently. Aaron G. notes about Salmon Falls River RV Resort and Family Campground, "If I have one issue it would be that it went to a KOA which isn't bad but the transition year seemed a bit wanky."

Site levelness: Finding level sites matters for comfortable camping. Aaron G. reports that at Salmon Falls, "Campsites are level and site is fairly easy to maneuver with bigger rigs."

Best tent camping near Cape Elizabeth: For primitive tent camping options closest to Cape Elizabeth, Rustic Retreat offers both drive-in and walk-in tent sites with basic facilities including drinking water, fire rings, toilets and trash disposal, approximately 30 miles east of Cape Elizabeth.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Cape Elizabeth, ME?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Cape Elizabeth, ME is Sun Outdoors Saco Old Orchard Beach with a 4.2-star rating from 22 reviews.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Cape Elizabeth, ME?

TheDyrt.com has all 12 tent camping locations near Cape Elizabeth, ME, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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