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Best Tent Camping near Cape Porpoise, ME

762 Reviews
CAMPER SUMMARY PRESENTED BYFord

Tent campsites near Cape Porpoise, Maine provide camping options for visitors seeking Maine's coastal experience. Sun Outdoors Saco Old Orchard Beach offers tent camping accommodations approximately 20 miles southwest of Cape Porpoise, with clean facilities and wooded sites. Huttopia Southern Maine in Sanford is another established tent campground offering 107 sites with walk-in access from mid-May through Columbus Day.

Tent campgrounds in the region feature varied amenities depending on their location and management. Sun Outdoors provides drinking water, electric hookups, showers, and toilets specifically for tent campers, while maintaining clean bathroom facilities. Sites typically include picnic tables and fire pits, with fires permitted at most locations. Reservations are recommended, particularly during peak summer months when coastal Maine camping areas fill quickly. Most tent sites in the area are set among tall pine trees providing natural shade and some privacy between campsites.

The tent camping experience near Cape Porpoise offers accessibility to nearby beaches and outdoor recreation. At Sun Outdoors, tent sites are situated among tall pine trees which provide welcome shade during summer months. Many campgrounds in the region offer seasonal trolley service to nearby beaches, making them convenient base camps for coastal exploration. According to one visitor, "The bathrooms were very clean and the showers are nice. The tall trees are lovely. It was quiet at night and security was good." Tent campers often appreciate the more rustic experience compared to RV camping, with several campgrounds maintaining dedicated tent-only areas that offer a more traditional camping atmosphere. Most primitive tent sites require a short walk from parking areas, which tends to create a quieter, more secluded camping environment.

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Best Tent Sites Near Cape Porpoise, Maine (11)

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Tent Camping Reviews near Cape Porpoise, ME

762 Reviews of 11 Cape Porpoise 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.

  • Jean C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 15, 2021

    Tidewater Campground

    Large campground near, but not on the beach

    First of all, the location is a little quirky and I think I only arrived once without a wrong turn! Watch the GPS carefully. That said, it’s very close to Hampton Beach and you can easily drive or bike over. The campground is parallel to US1, so there is some road traffic noise. Some of the tent sites overlook the marsh. The tent sites are definitely tighter than trailer sites. Some sites back up to each other and it takes a moment to understand where one ends and the next begins. 

    I was here early in the season and placed in a seasonal site with water/electric. Site was level. Neighbors were friendly. The bathroom was a short walk away and spotless. I did notice that in the tent areas, the main bathrooms are supplemented with portable toilets. Sites are mostly wooded, which will offer nice relief from the heat. It's a nice base for exploring the area.

    There’s a gated entry and turtle-speed limit that they take seriously. The pool was not yet open. There’s a small store onsite for ice and essentials. All the big box stores and a number of restaurants are nearby. For a change of pace from seafood, I picked up Shane's Texas Pit BBQ and brought it back to my site. 

    You may request a reservation online, but you have to confirm and pay for it via the phone. You’ll need to arrive before 9pm to check in. Bring $10 for a cash deposit on the gate card. Only 1 vehicle and 1 camping unit (tent or trailer) allowed on a site.

    Downside: They charge for showers, the amount and duration is unclear and the duration varies depending on which shower you choose! Given the rates they charge, this seems petty.

  • Meg T.
    Jul. 30, 2025

    Salisbury Beach State Reservation

    Seagulls hungry for Egg Rolls and sunsets galore!

    Stayed here with my partner for her birthday while we were up in the Plum Island/Rockport area. Beautiful ocean access and great facilities. We stayed in a site right next to a large bathhouse with showers, plentiful stalls, and water bottle fill-up and rinse off station. We were situated next to a kind family who lent us fire starter and offered us some of their snacks they were making when we arrived, while we were setting up we did lose some egg rolls to a hungry seagull but I think he needed them more than we did. Not very private and sites are packed close together, but that is what I expected based off the map! I would absolutely return again, this time to check out the beach and surrounding area!

  • 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.

  • Anna C.
    Oct. 15, 2019

    Pawtuckaway State Park Campground

    Ranger Review: Red Ledge Rebel Shell Rain Pants at Pawtuckaway State Park

    *CAMPGROUND REVIEW*

    This campground is definitely a dazzler and I was fortunate to visit on a quieter weekend. I was able to enjoy an especially picturesque sunset over the lake and I would definitely visit this spot again, especially with how accessible the campground is. There is a nice stretch of sandy beach at the campground as well as canoes and kayaks for rent. The convenience store at the campground had essentially everything you would need for a good camping trip. Definitely do your research on the different site numbers because some sites are much more private and scenic than others. Each site is equipped with a picnic table and fire pit as an added bonus.

    Pros: 

    -Within a short driving distance from the Boston area 

    -Lakefront sites available 

    -Canoe and kayak rentals available 

    -Well stocked convenience store 

    -Reasonable cell reception

    Cons: 

     -Can get busy during peak camping times 

     -Some sites have a lack of privacy

    *PRODUCT REVIEW*

    As a Ranger for The Dyrt, I get products to test from time to time. During this trip, I took out a pair of Red Ledge Rain Pants. While it didn’t rain during my camping stay (great from a camper perspective, not so great from a reviewer perspective), I was able to try out the general fit of the pants. They have a nice stretch fit to them and a certainly one of the more stylish options as far as rain pants go. As is true for most waterproof gear, they run on the warmer side and don’t have a ton of ventilation so they may not be the best choice for hotter weather. Although I didn’t get to test out the pants in a camping setting, I did wear them a few days ago while making the 1.5 km evacuation route trek from my apartment to the flood shelter during one of the biggest typhoons to make landfall in Japan. After about 25-30 mins of walking in record breaking-ly heavy rain, the pants started to saturate around the knees and the upper thigh area started to get a bit soggy. That being said, this is probably the most extreme possible test setting and they did hold up reasonably well. Due to the aforementioned, I would recommend using these pants as a waterproof option when skiing/snowboarding in warmer weather where you still want a snow barrier but may not necessarily need the insulative warmth offered by actual snow pants.

    Pros: 

    -Stylish look 

     -Stretch fit 

     -Waterproof 

     Cons: 

     -Trap heat 

     -Not typhoon proof

  • 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.

  • M.A.D. P.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jan. 1, 2023

    Pawtuckaway State Park Campground

    Large and friendly park with plenty of water activity opportunities

    My first time experiencing a park in the New Hampshire Park system. We went down with a group. Pawtuckaway State Park offers a variety of landscapes, with something to do and see for everyone. The park includes a large family beach on the lake. There are many opportunities for hiking, with trails leading to many special points of interest, including a mountaintop fire tower; an extensive marsh where beavers, deer, and great blue herons may be seen.

    The park lines the shore of beautiful Pawtuckaway Lake.  The 192 sites are wooded and many provide views of the lake.  Each campsite has an open fire ring, picnic table, flat areas for a tent, and a parking space. The bathhouses are equipped with running water, flush toilets, and 24 hour showers.  There are no hook-ups at any of the campsites. The park also has a camp store where canoe and kayaks are available, as well as a plublic canoe and kayak launch. Five cabins are available; each sleeps six people, has electricity, and includes a fire ring and picnic table. Pets are not allowed in the campground or beach area of the park.

  • Sara D.
    Aug. 23, 2020

    Sun River Campground

    Pretty Happy with this Campground!

    Pros=rustic tent sites available on a River, very quiet nights, secluded campsites (however the 5 sites near us were empty so that likely has a little to do with noise level & space), playground available, pretty clean, the site we were on had plenty of elbow room and was spacious enough for our 12 person tent & bean bag toss game set up (site ground was a little uneven with minimal roots here & there), friendly staff, friendly owner when I booked that was very accommodating, they had a band on Saturday night in one of the common areas, site was shaded with lots of tall trees, $30/night = cheap, free showers, firewood & $2 bags of ice available to purchase at the office, lots of wildlife in campsite areas (not bears but more like birds and whatnot) & a small beach area.

    Cons=campground is a little hard to find off the main road so you really have to keep an eye out for the turn, only 1 main bathhouse but porta potties available throughout grounds, the beach water is connected to the river and a bit on the stagnant/murky side (I’m a little bit of a water snob & really only swim in fairly clear water), some tent sites are bundled together that seem to be best for group camping so if you’re only booking one site that might be a bummer if you like space from neighboring campers, no campground store available, didn’t seem like there was a lot of activities offered to do/amenities, seem to be very minimal staff but there was someone at the office upon our very late check-in.

    P.s. Dunk’s is a 7 minute drive if you are a must-have-dunkin’s every day person like my husband.

    Overall, good campground and we will be going again!😉

  • CThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 12, 2018

    Pawtuckaway State Park Campground

    Home

    Home is the place in the world where we can just be. For me, this is home. Maybe it's because I was born and raised not so far away, and I've visited the park for years, marking my growth by the granite boulders dispersed throughout the park. Yet, even as a child, I was always drawn to Pawtuckaway, the still waters, the quiet sunset, the loons calling across the ripples in the lake, and the soft pine needles below bare feet.

    Pawtuckaway is a great spot to set up camp in New England. It is a preserve for loons and dotted with islands where they nest. It is close enough to the White Mountains of NH and all they have to offer (Lost River, Flume Gorge, etc.), NH's seacoast and colonial Portsmouth, the seacoast of Southern Maine with its widow's walks and seafaring charm, and Boston with all of its heritage, history, and great food.

    The campground and park offer several amenities, including a swimming beach, boat rentals, snack bar, playground, showers, and a small campstore where firewood and ice are sold. There is a grocery store, a laundromat, and a Dunkin' Donuts only a few minutes from the park. If you are not from New England, you may not understand the Dunkin' Donuts reference, but trust me, it's relevant. There are several shower houses, although hot water may be an issue--or maybe it was just getting in after a woman decided to stand under the shower for 40 minutes while others were waiting?

    The camping is divided into three main areas: Horse Island, Big Island, and Neal's Cove. All offer lakefront campsites, and there is at least one remote, hike-in site on Big Island. The lakefront sites easily accommodate kayaks and canoes for instant access to the water. The campsites are all very spacious and fairly private.

    When visiting, site selection is everything (as we discovered). We first ended up with an interior site. A handful of the sites on Big Island, and even in Neal's Cove may be lying next to a wet, muddy and wooded area--and # 97 was one of those. In the evening so many mosquitos swarmed our site that we couldn't stand outside long enough to cook (we didn't even dare to open our mouths). That was a Saturday night. On Sunday, campsites opened up that were otherwise available for the rest of our stay. We swapped our reservation to site number 6 on Horse Island. Our family picked up the still-pitched tent and marched it down the road with air mattresses hanging out of the back of our van. Site 6 was absolutely amazing (and there wasn't a single mosquito). The breeze from the lake and lack of standing water makes these sites ideal (not to mention, they are lakefront). Lesson learned: be weary of interior sites! Some of the interior sites are on high ground and quite fabulous, offering few mosquitos, but a few them are an absolute disaster.

Guide to Cape Porpoise

Tent camping in the Cape Porpoise area takes advantage of southern Maine's coastal pine forests and moderate summer temperatures averaging 70-80°F during peak season. The region receives significant rainfall (around 48 inches annually) even during summer months, making waterproof tent setups essential for campers. Most established campgrounds near Cape Porpoise operate seasonally from May through mid-October, with limited availability during shoulder seasons.

What to do

Beach shuttles and trolleys: Several campgrounds provide convenient beach transportation during summer. At Salmon Falls River RV Resort and Family Campground, families appreciate the transportation options. According to Samantha N., "If you have young kids this place is so fun! Multiple pools, a water slide, high ropes, a jump pad, mini golf and more!"

Wildlife observation at Rachel Carson Refuge: Located within 15 minutes of tent camping areas, this protected salt marsh ecosystem offers boardwalk trails for wildlife viewing. Campers frequently report spotting herons, osprey and various shorebirds along clearly marked paths that accommodate all skill levels.

Seasonal town festivals: Local communities host numerous events from June through September. As one tent camper at Sun Outdoors Saco Old Orchard Beach notes, "This campground is four miles from Old Orchard Beach which is a trip. It is a throw-back from your childhood when carnival rides and funnel cakes made you so happy."

What campers like

Shaded camping areas: The tall pine forests provide natural cooling. One reviewer staying at Sun Outdoors Saco Old Orchard Beach shared, "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 and the Maine blueberry pancakes were amazing!"

Clean facilities: Many Cape Porpoise area campgrounds maintain well-rated bathroom facilities. At Huttopia Southern Maine, a reviewer noted, "Grounds are manicured and aimed to be family friendly," highlighting the emphasis on cleanliness at newer facilities in the region.

Strategic location: Tent camping near Cape Porpoise provides access to multiple coastal towns within 30 minutes. As one camper mentioned, "The campground sits among tall pine trees which offer nice shade helps alleviate some of the feel of a crowded campground. There are a myriad of sites including rustic tent, cabins, and full hook-up RV sites that accommodate the largest of RV's."

What you should know

Seasonal limitations: Most tent camping options near Cape Porpoise operate exclusively from mid-May through mid-October, with strict seasonal closures based on Maine weather patterns. Shoulder season camping (May and October) requires additional cold-weather gear as nighttime temperatures can drop below 40°F.

Reservation requirements: Summer weekends book 3-6 months in advance at established campgrounds. At Mac's Camping Area, sites with lake access fill particularly quickly. Jake C. confirms, "Mac's camping has large RV Sites with access to their private beach & boat launch!"

Parking restrictions: Many tent sites require short walks from designated parking areas. One camper observed, "We tent camped at Saco/Old Orchard Beach KOA. The staff was very friendly and when I called to book the site, they assisted in helping us pick out the nicest campsite."

Bug preparation: Mosquitoes and black flies peak in June and early July around Cape Porpoise tent camping areas. Long sleeves, proper repellent, and screen rooms significantly improve comfort during evening hours at campgrounds.

Tips for camping with families

Activity scheduling: Family tent camping near Cape Porpoise benefits from planning around peak crowd times. As one visitor to Crown Point Campground explained, "Great location trolley will pick you up from the campground and take you to Old Orchard Beach. Very friendly staff. Kid activities were done regularly."

Weather contingencies: Summer thunderstorms occasionally interrupt outdoor plans around Cape Porpoise. Many campgrounds offer covered pavilions or recreation halls, but families should prepare alternative indoor activities for rainy periods that typically last 2-4 hours.

Local dining options: Several tent camping areas provide on-site food options reducing meal planning needs. According to one camper, "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."

Tips from RVers

Access considerations: RV access varies significantly between campgrounds near Cape Porpoise. An RVer staying at Salmon Falls River RV Resort noted, "Campsites are level and site is fairly easy to maneuver with bigger rigs."

Electric hookups: Most tent camping areas that accommodate RVs offer 30-amp service standard, with limited 50-amp availability requiring early reservation. Campers requiring consistent electricity for medical equipment should confirm reliability with campground staff during booking.

Winter storage: Few campgrounds offer year-round storage options. Local RV owners typically transport vehicles to specialized storage facilities in Biddeford or Kennebunk during the October-April off-season.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Cape Porpoise, 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 Porpoise, ME?

TheDyrt.com has all 11 tent camping locations near Cape Porpoise, ME, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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