Camping spots near Casco, Maine center around lakes and ponds with Sebago Lake offering the largest water body at 28,771 acres and maximum depth of 316 feet. The region sits at elevations ranging from 300-500 feet above sea level with sandy soil conditions throughout many campgrounds. Seasonal temperatures typically reach highs of 80°F in July and August when most campgrounds operate at full capacity.
What to do
Kayaking on Long Lake: Long Lake connects to Sebago Lake through the Songo River, creating an extensive waterway system for paddlers. At Lakeside Pines Campground, campers can access both lake areas. "Loons loons everywhere. Lots of wildlife. Good facilities. Full hookups for boondockers," notes Jeremy G. about the paddling experience.
Fishing for diverse species: Multiple lakes in the region offer fishing opportunities for bass, landlocked salmon, and other freshwater species. "Sebago lake is a great spot for all types of fishing. From bass to landlocked salmon. And you can take the boat up river through the songo locks. All the way up to long lake," reports Joshua B.
Swimming in crystal-clear ponds: Smaller ponds around Casco maintain exceptional water clarity. At Loon's Haven Family Campground, Elizabeth D. describes, "Trickey pond is extremely clean and beautiful," while others note the water visibility extends several feet below the surface.
Hiking nearby trails: The White Mountain National Forest sits approximately 30 minutes from many Casco-area campgrounds. Katie B. mentions: "You're within 30 minutes to White Mountain National Forest, which is gorgeous!" for those staying at Lakeside Pines.
What campers like
Sandy beaches with swimming access: Multiple campgrounds feature well-maintained beach areas for swimming. At Sebago Lake State Park Campground, Rebecca L. explains, "The selling point of this campground is the lake for sure. Sebago Lake is beautiful... Beach areas were very nice for relaxing."
Organized activities for all ages: Family-oriented campgrounds offer structured activities throughout the summer season. A camper at Papoose Pond Family Campground shares, "Tuesday trivia, Wednesday beach party, Thursday dance party, and Friday karaoke- the latter being the most fun! There are so many things for kids to do throughout as well."
Clean facilities and bathrooms: Most Casco-area campgrounds maintain high standards for restrooms and showers. According to Nate S. at Poland Spring Campground, "Bathroom facilities were clean and well maintained. We'll definitely stay again."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Early morning and evening hours provide excellent wildlife sightings around the lakes. Jean C. describes a kayaking experience: "A friend and I camped here not for the family fun, but because we wanted to be able to slip into our kayaks for an early paddle with the loons, bald eagles, and herons. Had an amazing experience when loons took off from the far end of the lake."
What you should know
Site privacy varies significantly: Many campgrounds feature close-together sites, especially in waterfront areas. Ashlee L. observed at Sebago Lake State Park: "Cons: virtually no privacy between sites... If I could get one of those sites, or one a little more private than what we had, I would go again in a heartbeat."
Reservation timing matters: For prime summer dates, particularly on waterfront sites, reservations should be made months in advance. Gary G. notes, "It is a very popular location with small lots! We tend to gravitate toward the more isolated campgrounds."
Weather contingency planning: Summer thunderstorms can affect camping experiences, particularly in tent sites. Jess G. explains, "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."
Campground layouts and access: Some campgrounds have challenging navigation paths, especially for larger rigs. At Two Lakes Camping, Claire T. warns, "Getting into your site with a camper requires maneuvering no matter how you come into the campground."
Tips for camping with families
Choose campgrounds with kid-specific activities: Many Casco-area campgrounds offer structured programs for children. At Acres Of Wildlife Family Campground, Sarah L. shares, "Amazing family activities to keep kids occupied, great sites, clean bathrooms (free showers), and a good restaurant if you don't want to cook."
Look for sites with playground access: Multiple campgrounds feature play equipment for different age ranges. Darci F. comments, "This camp ground is FULL of fun for kids. There is activities and 2/3 playgrounds."
Consider campgrounds with shallow swimming areas: Young children benefit from graduated entry beaches. One visitor at Poland Spring Campground explains, "The lake is gorgeous. Rocks make direct access to the water from the site difficult, but there is a beach for water access not too far away."
Book mid-week when possible: Weekend occupancy tends to be significantly higher at family-oriented campgrounds. As one camper noted, "We were lucky to score a nice site mid week just before the 4th of July... it was clear that it can get muddy based on the deep tire tracks left on the site by a previous camper."
Tips from RVers
Check hookup locations before arrival: Several campgrounds have unusual utility placement. Ed C. advises at Acres of Wildlife, "Be sure to bring extensions for electrical and sewer as a lot of sites are set up with difficult connection spots."
Select campground areas based on rig size: Some sections accommodate larger RVs better than others. Jennifer F. notes at Colonial Mast Campground, "Lots of seasonal sites here which makes to off season a bit busier. Loved the campground and the hosts they were fantastic."
Consider interior road conditions: Narrow camp roads can challenge larger rigs. Katie B. cautions, "the road is tight so be prepared to drive close to trees" when describing Lakeside Pines Campground.
Look for designated RV sections: Some campgrounds separate RVs from tent camping areas. Jennifer F. observes, "This is a large campground right on the lake. Half of area is set up with RV hookups, so it nicely separates the tents from the RVs."
