Dog-Friendly Camping near Carrabassett Valley, ME

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    Cathedral Pines Campground welcomes campers with pets alongside Flagstaff Lake in western Maine. Located near Carrabassett Valley, this quiet campground features spacious sites nestled among towering pines with ample distance between neighboring campsites. Pets are permitted throughout the grounds but must remain leashed. The campground offers tent sites, RV spaces with water and electric hookups, and a dump station. Clean bathrooms with flush toilets, hot showers, and laundry facilities are available for guests. Deer Farm Camps & Campground in nearby Kingfield also allows pets, offering rustic camping with water and electric hookups for tents and RVs, along with pet-friendly cabin rentals. Both campgrounds provide picnic tables and fire rings at each site. Sites at Cathedral Pines are exceptionally large and well-maintained, with lakeside options offering sunrise views over the water.

    Trout Brook Campground offers primitive, dispersed camping with pets allowed but limited privacy between the four available sites. For hikers with dogs, the Bigelow Preserve area features Round Barn Campsites with tent sites near water access and connections to the Stafford Brook Trail. Mountain View Motel & Campground, just 6 miles from Sugarloaf, provides 17 pet-friendly sites with amenities including hot showers, toilets and WiFi access. The campgrounds serve as excellent basecamps for exploring nearby hiking trails with pets, including paths up Mt. Abram and routes through the Bigelow range. Flagstaff Lake offers swimming opportunities for both humans and dogs, with Cathedral Pines providing both camper-only and public beach areas. When visiting with pets during summer months, early morning hikes are recommended to avoid midday heat on the trails.

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    Best Dog-Friendly Campgrounds near Carrabassett Valley (78)

      1. Cathedral Pines Campground

      4.8(20)13mi from Carrabassett ValleyRVs, Tents, Glamping

      "Nestled in western Maine just past Sugarloaf ski mountain lies Cathedral Pines. When you arrive you will appreciate the name."

      "This campground on the shore of Flagstaff Lake features large level sites nestled among towering pines, both with and without hookups (w/e; dump station available)."

      from $32 - $40 / night

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      2. Deer Farm Camps & Campground - TEMPORARILY CLOSED

      4.6(5)6mi from Carrabassett ValleyRVs, Tents, Cabins

      "A place to enjoy the lake and all the fun activities that go along with it. As well as a bathroom facility for showering and all your tolitere needs."

      "This small, family run campground is a nice spot to get off the grid and explore western Maine. I stayed here because of its proximity to the Fire Warden trail up Mt."

      3. Happy Horseshoe Campground

      4.0(6)14mi from Carrabassett ValleyRVs, Tents, Cabins

      "Owners, Judy & Buster have created a camping gem in rural Maine."

      "Game room, pool, you can walk a holiday if you would like. Great entertainment on the weekends. Clean bathrooms and up to date. Friendly campers. Baked bean suppers sold on Saturday night."

      4. Rangeley Lake State Park Campground

      4.5(13)20mi from Carrabassett ValleyRVs, Tents

      "Access to park amenities like lake and hiking trails. Have camped here in summer (be prepared for bugs) and winter (no services) and enjoyed every visit."

      "The sites closer to the lake have some standing water surrounding the sites. Stayed in 5 and it was super dry."

      from $20 - $40 / night

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      5. Round Barn Campsites

      5.0(2)10mi from Carrabassett ValleyTents

      "It is right next to the stafford brook trail to hike to the top of Bigelow and you can easily hike from your campsite to the top of the mountain and back within a day."

      "Sites that I saw looked great, trails need some maintenance though, and some of the sites need clean up. The Road is rough, but with care you can get there, just go slow."

      6. Trout Brook Campground

      3.0(4)11mi from Carrabassett ValleyRVs, Tents

      "You’re camping close to others but it was quiet at night when we were there mid-week."

      7. Mountain View Motel & Campground

      5.0(1)8mi from Carrabassett ValleyRVs, Tents, Cabins

      "On the grounds of a roadside motel just 6 miles from Sugarloaf and east access to the AT, this newly added 13+ campsites are easy in and out, well appointed and have wonderful facilities."

      from $30 - $60 / night

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      8. Spaulding Mountain Lean-to — Appalachian National Scenic Trail

      3.0(1)3mi from Carrabassett Valley

      9. Mount Blue State Park Campground

      4.6(18)25mi from Carrabassett ValleyRVs, Tents

      "Our camp sites were next to each other but also very private. No water or electricity except at the main bathrooms where there are showers, toilets and a dish wash station. Beautiful lake!"

      "Mount Blue is an awesome Maine State Park about 2 hrs. north-west of Portland, 1hr from the White Mts. in NH and 1.5 hours from the Quebec border. "

      from $20 - $30 / night

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      10. Myer's Lodge East

      3.0(2)12mi from Carrabassett ValleyTents

      "we had a blast having water access right from our site and the ability to park within steps of our tent."

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    Dog-Friendly Camping Reviews near Carrabassett Valley, ME

    324 Reviews of 78 Carrabassett Valley Campgrounds


    • E
      Jul. 10, 2025

      Deer Mountain Campground

      Great for Birding

      I was shocked to find Deer Mountain mostly empty in the middle of summer.  It doesn’t have the amenities of some state parks, but nearby Lake Francis SP is available for showers, etc.  This is a great location for those who want to get away from the crowds and noise.  There’s a wide variety of birds for those who are interested.

      Site 28 is worth the short hike to get there.  Don’t be put off if you don’t have backpacking gear:  there is a wagon to help haul stuff to the site and back.  

      A few things to know, though:  the trees have grown and the view from the tent platform no longer looks like the photos on ReserveAmerica.  It’s a much more limited water view, but still gorgeous.  There are no trees suitable for hammock camping with a view.  And much of the site and surrounding area is a giant Canada Goose latrine.  (Imagine a dog park where no one has ever cleaned up after their pets.)

    • Nancy W.The Dyrt PRO User
      Nov. 29, 2021

      Bethel Outdoor Adventure and Campground

      Great river access, close to town.

      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. Campsites vary from full hook-up pull through to grassy shaded private sites perfect for tent camping. The sites are pretty close together and ours was a buddy site which meant our patio faced our neighbor’s patio. Since the sites were so close, we were practically sitting next to them. Luckily, they were nice people and we enjoyed talking to them. 

      Not all sites are level and we found it difficult to get into because of the tight roads and dangling tree limbs. Some of the best sites are unfortunately reserved for work campers. These are pull-ins with a view of a grassy field. 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. The campground is pretty wooded which was nice for the shade but meant we were not able to get satellite reception with our dome mounted receiver. We ended up using our portable receiver and after two days of moving the unit we were finally able to lock into the satellites. 

      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. The 50-amp worked well and it was well-placed in the site as was the water. The roads and campsites are gravel and the patios are a mix of gravel and grass. Each site has a picnic table and fire pit. The campground is adjacent to a paved walking/biking path that leads to downtown Bethel. We used the path to walk over to the farmers market and found it very convenient to walk our dog. There is also a mowed path through a field that we also liked for walking our dog. 

      The best aspect of this campground is the access to the Androscoggin River. The park rents kayaks, canoes, and tubes and has a shuttle service that will take you up river for so you can float back to the campground. We used the campgrounds shuttle livery service to take our kayak and paddleboard up river for a leisurely float down the river so we could enjoy the scenery, have a picnic, and fish. (Since we used our own boats, the coast was cheaper.) The campground offers this service to non-campers which meant there were a lot of people walking through the campground. The bathroom in the campground was old and tired and heavily used by people floating the river which and was pretty dirty. They also have a sluice on the property, where (for a fee) you can get a bucket of mined material and get to sort through it looking for minerals and gems. Whatever you find, you keep. 

      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. Downtown Bethel is just a few minutes away and has a brewery, grocery, restaurants, shops, and the Maine Mineral and Gem Museum. 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.  On the way, we stopped at Sunday River Brewery and had a delicious meal and great beer.

    • Nancy W.The Dyrt PRO User
      Sep. 11, 2022

      Moose Creek RV Resort

      Truely a 5-Star RV Resort

      We love everything about this campground and were glad we booked for the whole month of September! The campground opened in May 2022 and is just what the Greenville area of Maine needed– a nice, large campground which is big-rig-friendly, nice amenities, and close to downtown. Everything about this park is very well-done from the layout to the landscaping to the fancy fire pits. 

      The owners are super friendly and take great pride in how the campground looks. Moose Creek has just over 100 sites and they are expanding in 2023 to include more RV/tent sites, cabins, and a rental house. The place really deserves the title of “resort” with amenities like a large 25 x 90’ heated swimming pool, 3.5-acre stocked fishing pond with kayaks/paddleboats/canoes, large spacious sites, restaurant and bar with live music on the weekends, nice camp store with clothes, gifts, food and RV supplies, dog park, volleyball/basketball courts, and a playground. 

      All campsites and roads are gravel with a mix of pull-thrus and back-ins. All sites have a nice picnic table, large gravel patio and well-placed water/sewer/electric hook-up. There is no cable but many sites have a clear view to the sky so you can pick up satellite or over-the-air channels. The only critism we have is that a handful of sites are sloped and we would not be able to get our 45’ motorhome level, luckily our site (#10) was perfectly level. Our favorite sites are 10 and 17–26 which are back-ins with privacy behind you and nice separation between sites. 

      The pavilion and café are the hub of activities and a great place to grab a bite after a long day hiking. The food they offer is not what you would typically find in a campground and much more creative like a smoked trout plate, charcuterie, roasted mesquite Brussel sprouts, and slow roasted pork pile nachos. They also have a full bar and great beer list. In addition to bar seating and plenty of indoor tables there is lots of outdoor seating and propane firepits with comfortable chairs. There is live music on the weekends which draws a great crowd and all the bands played a nice mix of music that seemed to please everyone. 

      Prices during the summer season are$55 (for a standard site) and$60 for premium– which is a great price in this region of the country and for a nice campsite with lots of amenities. Monthly discounts are available which drastically reduce the price. Campsites are designed for RV’s but you are permitted to put a tent on any site. All the facilities were super clean and the grounds were very well-maintained. The bathhouse (which was spotless) has six individual rooms with toilets and shower and two are ADA accessible. There is on-site laundry with three washers and three dryers costing $2.00/load. 

      One of the great aspects of this park is that they put the pavilion and pool in the front of the campground so the noisy aspects are not smack in the middle of the campground and you don’t have to listen to “Marco Polo” all afternoon at your campsite. Since campsites are located in the back portion of the property, you don’t have any road noise. Another great thing is that the dumpsters and recycling is located at the exit gate so there is no stink and crashing sounds of garbage trucks at 8 am. While the surrounding area is popular for ATVing, they do not permit them in the park which cuts down on noise and dust (there is overflow parking for those units across the street). 

      Greenville, Maine is one of our favorite towns. The hiking is great, there are tons of places to paddle and fish, and the fall foliage is spectacular. Downtown is a fun mix of outdoor stores, lakeside restaurants, a couple of museums, and a scenic tour boat that travels up and down Moosehead Lake. In early September, Greenville hosts the International Seaplane Fly-in where planes from all over descend on the lake participating in competitions.

    • D
      Jul. 8, 2019

      Cathedral Pines Campground

      Amazing in all aspects!

      Nestled in western Maine just past Sugarloaf ski mountain lies Cathedral Pines. When you arrive you will appreciate the name. Running alongside beautiful Flagstaff lake this campsite offers something for everyone. Beautiful sunrises over the Bigelow mountains, hikes along the Appalachian Trail, bike trails, kayaking, canoeing, swimming , fishing and the ability to just huddle around the fire with a book! You can even take a short drive to the Canadian border or visit the numerous antique shops along the way in town.

      There is a kids activity center where planned activities are always a hit. There is even an arcade for the kids if weather is bad. Spacious sites, some with power and water and some without. A winding maze of paved roads intertwine thru the woods. Perfect for the kids and adults alike to bike!

      I am partial to waterfront sites because I love being the first up to start coffee and watch the sun rise and morning break. I've also stayed inside the campground more away from the water and have no complaints. All the facilities are meticulously cleaned and the staff are amazing!

      Every year when the few families we camp with get together to pick our campgrounds and dates, it's always when are we going to Cat Pines, not will we go.

    • Celeste C.
      Jun. 1, 2019

      Lone Mountain Camping

      Peace and Quiet

      We spent the second week of May at this lovely campground. It’s a campground in its second year. The owners and the nicest people. There are hookups: water and electric available on some sites. There is a dump station with water. The bathrooms and showers are new and beautiful. There are tent sites under the trees and a little beach along the river. They do have a cabin tent which is fully furnished in the field. This is an equestrian campground as well. Pets are welcomed. There is plenty of areas, caves and hiking trails to explore. There is a diner down the street that serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. The Appalachian Trail runs through this area. We look forward to spending a week here in July. Come and partake of all this beauty in Andover, Maine. Check out their website. They have 30 & 50 amp power available. We were in a pull through site. We really appreciated having hookups!

    • Sarah C.The Dyrt PRO User
      Jul. 24, 2017

      Grafton Notch Campground

      Small & Secluded

      This campground is privately owned and is situated in an amazing spot in the mountains of Western Maine. Open from mid-May through Columbus Day, this campground offers 15 well wooded sites close to great hiking and natural sightseeing spots within steps (or minutes) of the campground. Moose Cave, Screw Auger Falls and the AT are all near the campground.

      You can count on this place to be on the quiet side, as generators are not aloud. Dogs are welcome as long as they are leashed. There campground has hot showers, flush toilets and sites have picnic tables and fire rings. The owners are kind and always willing to help out. Great spot to stay for a visit to the Mahoosucs as well as a first/last night option if you're spending time hiking the Grafton Loop Trail and backcountry camping.

    • Brianna M.
      Jun. 2, 2018

      Deer Farm Camps & Campground - TEMPORARILY CLOSED

      Great little get away

      If your looking for a great little get away where you can get unplugged from society, then this is the place for you. Has a great place to go four wheeling. A place to enjoy the lake and all the fun activities that go along with it. As well as a bathroom facility for showering and all your tolitere needs. The kids can also enjoy the playground, and the various activities they provide. And you may even be visited by the campgrounds own family cat. This place is not only a great place to go tenting, but can also be a place where you can hook up your camper. This beautiful place sits in the woods off the maine road. It gives you the real feel of being out in the woods. It is a very secluded place.

    • C
      Jul. 27, 2021

      Coos Canyon Campground and Cabins

      Will absolutely return

      Small cute campground, what camping should be. Nice trail to the river next to our site. Dog friendly. Fun little scavenger hunt for kids of all ages. Short walk over to Coos Canyon rest area with great swim holes. Close to Tumbledown Mountain hiking, Mt Blue and Webb Lake. No cell reception and wifi only available at the camp store.

    • Nancy W.The Dyrt PRO User
      Dec. 31, 2022

      Little Moose Pond Campsite

      Beautiful, secluded primitive campground

      Just outside of Greenville is the Little Moose Pond Public Lands. This campsite is one of five primitive campsites located in the tract. The easiest and quickest way to access the campsite is from the Little Moose Ponds Loop Trailhead on Old Squaw Road. From the Loop Trailhead, the campsite is just about a mile walk. The trail is well-marked, just follow the signs and the orange blazes until you see the sign for Little Moose Pond campsite which is just off the main trail. 

      The campsite is tucked in the woods so you get some shade and privacy. Since you are right on the water, there are great views of the pond and surrounding woodlands. The site is on the north side of the pond so the morning sunshine greets you and the sunset lights up the southern hillside in the evening. Picnic table, fire pit, and a makeshift toile are provided. The toilet is essentially a toilet seat on a wooden box so there is no privacy but it is tucked away from the trail and campsite enough that it can’t be seen. You will need to call 207-695-3721 to see about obtaining a burn permit before starting a fire. The only water source is from the pond but there is a rake in case embers land outside the fire pit. A couple of canoes are stashed at the campsite and we were not sure who owns them but one was unlocked and there were two paddles propped against a tree. 

      The campsite (and access to the Public Lands) are free and you can stay at the campsite up to 14 days. There is no trash receptacle so you must carry all your trash out with you. The campsite is first-come, first-served. If it is occupied, you can trace back about half a mile to the Big Moose Campsite and see if that is available


    Guide to Carrabassett Valley

    Carrabassett Valley sits in western Maine at approximately 1,600 feet elevation, featuring steep mountain terrain dominated by Sugarloaf Mountain and the Bigelow Range. The region experiences significant seasonal temperature variations with summer highs around 80°F and winter lows frequently below 0°F. Dispersed camping options range from primitive sites with minimal facilities to developed campgrounds with various amenities for pets and their owners.

    What to do

    Hiking with dogs: The Stafford Brook Trail connects to Round Barn Campsites and provides access to Bigelow Mountain. "Remote sites with privacy and great views. Hike/swim/paddle... you can easily hike from your campsite to the top of the mountain and back within a day," notes camper Xzavier. The trail is moderately difficult but well-maintained for hikers with dogs.

    Water activities: Cathedral Pines Campground offers excellent access to Flagstaff Lake. "We saw loons and bald eagles on the lake daily," reports Jillian. The lake allows swimming for both humans and dogs, with opportunities for paddling and fishing. Sites on the eastern shore offer the best sunrise views over water.

    Wildlife viewing: Early morning and evening hours provide the best wildlife spotting opportunities. "When leaving camp make a left, drive aprox 15 mins and you are sure to see them," notes Adam about moose sightings near Happy Horseshoe Campground. Binoculars help spot loons, eagles, and other birds common to the region's lakes and forests.

    What campers like

    Spacious sites: Many reviewers appreciate the privacy at campgrounds near Carrabassett Valley. "Sites are very large and spacious. You are not on top of the next one," explains Ken B. about Cathedral Pines Campground. Most sites include a fire ring with cooking grate and picnic table.

    Lake access: Flagstaff Lake provides popular swimming and paddling spots. "Boat launch is prefect we're able to store our kayaks right at the beach," mentions Bryan B. The sandy shorelines at several campgrounds make water access convenient for families with pets.

    Proximity to trails: Rangeley Lake State Park Campground serves as a central base for regional exploration. "Safe, clean campground with a peaceful vibe... a short drive to dozens of beautiful and diverse hikes, waterfalls, local museums, fishing spots, and wildlife viewing," explains Kelsey K. Most hiking trails in the area remain open year-round, though seasonal conditions vary.

    What you should know

    Primitive camping considerations: Trout Brook Campground offers free dispersed camping but comes with limitations. "There are 4 sites, 3 have no separation between them, 1 is at the entrance, all are on the access road with 0 privacy," warns Miccal M. Plan accordingly if seeking solitude.

    Reservation systems: Many campgrounds require advance booking during peak summer months. Cathedral Pines uses a traditional reservation system requiring phone calls rather than online booking. "Reservations are low-tech...give them a call to make the reservation because deposit is required at time of reservation," advises Jean C.

    Cell service: Connectivity varies significantly throughout the region. While some campgrounds offer reliable service, others provide limited or no coverage. "There is cell service for both Verizon & AT&T," notes Jillian about Cathedral Pines, while Deer Farm Camps is described as a place to "get off the grid."

    Tips for camping with families

    Kid-friendly amenities: Mount Blue State Park Campground receives high marks for family accommodations. "The kids LOVED this campground. lots of streams for frogs and adventure," shares Melissa N. Rangers also "run some great programs for kids and adults," according to Gary G.

    Beach access: Several campgrounds feature dedicated swimming areas suitable for children. "The park was well kept. We had an amazing time, and we plan on coming back," writes Sandie N. about Mount Blue State Park, which includes access to Webb Lake for swimming and water activities.

    Playground options: Happy Horseshoe Campground includes play areas for younger children. "Good campground for family visits, they do events for families like cookouts and dances," explains Darin D. Many family-oriented campgrounds schedule weekend activities during summer months.

    Tips from RVers

    Site accessibility: Deer Farm Camps & Campground accommodates various RV sizes but lacks sewer hookups. "Each wooded site is relatively level and offers water and electric hookups, all for a price on par with state parks without utilities," describes Jean C. A dump station is available on premises.

    Off-season advantages: Visiting after Labor Day can mean significantly fewer crowds. "It was very quiet the 3 nights we were there (but it was also after Labor Day)," notes Jillian about Cathedral Pines. Fall camping offers excellent foliage viewing with cooler temperatures.

    Road conditions: Some campgrounds require navigating rough roads. "The access road in is rough, not for normal street cars," warns Miccal M. about Trout Brook Campground. RVers should research road conditions before attempting access to more remote locations.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Carrabassett Valley, ME?

    According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Carrabassett Valley, ME is Cathedral Pines Campground with a 4.9-star rating from 20 reviews.

    What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Carrabassett Valley, ME?

    TheDyrt.com has all 78 dog-friendly camping locations near Carrabassett Valley, ME, with real photos and reviews from campers.