Camping options near Castine, Maine extend beyond the luxury glamping spots highlighted by many travelers. This coastal area sits on a peninsula at the mouth of the Penobscot River where it meets the bay, with campgrounds scattered among pine forests and along rocky shorelines. Winter temperatures typically range from 10-30°F while summer averages 60-80°F, making May through October the primary camping season.
What to do
Beach exploration: 3-5 miles from campsites. At Oceanfront Camping @ Reach Knolls, visitors find a peaceful rocky beach perfect for nature observation: "We went swimming at their beach and saw a seal!" according to Michael K. The campground provides direct ocean access via "a nice path with two metal bridges."
Stargazing: best after 10pm on clear nights. Bass Harbor Campground offers exceptional night sky views even without specialized equipment. One camper noted, "We did get to see amazing stars at this site though - could see the Milkyway." The minimal light pollution on the "quiet side" of Mount Desert Island creates ideal viewing conditions.
Hiking nearby trails: 0.25-1 mile from campsites. Seawall Campground connects directly to several Acadia National Park trails. "With coastal hikes so close, sunrise hikes and exploring the tide pools were outstanding!" reports Steve M. The Ship Harbor Trail and Seawall area are both within walking distance.
What campers like
Private wooded sites: 10-20 feet between neighbors. Camden Hills State Park Campground receives consistently positive reviews for site spacing. "The sites are large and well spaced apart," notes Jacki B., while another camper appreciates that "most spots are wooded, but there are 8 non wooded, open grassy sites at the front of the park."
Ocean proximity: direct water access. Visitors at Oceanfront Camping @ Reach Knolls appreciate the shoreline setting. "Beautiful, quiet location with views of the deer isle bridge and access to walking the beach," writes Jillian B. The campground offers both "wooded or open ocean side sites" according to Fred M.
Clean facilities: daily maintenance. Bar Harbor Campground maintains high standards for their amenities. "The camp hosts do a great job of keeping the campground clean and were always out and about cleaning sites, fire pits, and the bathrooms," one visitor notes. This extends to their "really nice large swimming pool perched right along the water."
What you should know
Limited cell service: plan communications accordingly. Some areas around Castine have spotty coverage. A camper at Seawall Campground in Acadia noted, "We didn't have reliable cell service," which is common throughout the region's more remote areas.
Shower availability varies: $0.25-$1.50 per use. Many campgrounds charge for showers. At Seawall Campground, "Showers were ~2 miles away, open 4-7 pm and $1.50 for 2 minutes of water," according to Karla J.B. Plan accordingly or seek accommodations with included shower facilities.
Reservation systems differ: first-come vs. advance booking. Bar Harbor Campground operates on a unique system: "This campground does not take reservations so you can pick whatever open site you want and if you want to extend your stay, you can." This contrasts with most area campgrounds that require advance reservations, especially during peak season.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: suitable for ages 3-12. Hadley's Point Campground offers family-friendly amenities. "The campground has a pool, which my daughter loved," shares Melissa N., while Brandy N. adds, "We noticed lots of families with children staying in the cabins area."
Kid-friendly beaches: gradual entry points. While many Maine beaches feature rocky shorelines, some campgrounds have swimming areas suitable for children. Patten Pond Camping Resort provides "a small beach at the lake where you can swim and kayak," making it ideal for families with young swimmers.
Activity planning: weather contingencies. Searsport Shores Ocean Campground offers options for rainy days. "The rec room is a large but cozy place to hang out if/when it rains, with a fireplace and cozy couches," writes April W. The campground also features "a jungle gym, basketball court, volley ball, and a dog run."
Tips from RVers
Site dimensions: limited big rig access. Many campgrounds have size restrictions. At Bass Harbor Campground, "This is a great campground for small rigs, pull behinds, vans and tents," notes Deborah W., suggesting larger RVs may struggle with the compact sites.
Hookup availability: electric/water common, sewer limited. HTR Acadia offers varying levels of service. "The sites were equipped with hammock trees, fire rings, picnic tables, and even running water and electricity!" reports Sam L. However, as at many Maine campgrounds, full hookup sites are limited and should be reserved well in advance.
Road conditions: tight turns on access roads. When navigating to campgrounds, prepare for challenging roads. Nancy W. notes about Bar Harbor Campground, "Roads in the park are paved but some corners can be a little tight for big-rigs, best to unhitch your tow car up front in case you have to back up." This advice applies to many glamping near Castine, Maine as well.
