The Castine, Maine area sits on a peninsula along the Penobscot Bay, with camping options spread between coastal and inland environments. Most RV parks operate seasonally from May through October due to the harsh Maine winters. The region experiences summer temperatures averaging 75°F during peak camping months, with cool 50-60°F evenings even in July and August.
What to do
Water activities near Patten Pond: Located 20 minutes from Castine in Ellsworth, campers can enjoy the small beach and water recreation. "There is a small beach at the lake where you can swim and kayak (for rent). People at the office are very nice, polite and accommodating," notes one visitor at Patten Pond Camping Resort.
Lobster dining options: Local lobster stands and restaurants provide fresh seafood throughout the region. "Live lobster can be bought off the dock at the nearby town of Corea," mentions a camper at West Bay Acadia RV Campground. Another visitor adds, "Close to good seafood too!" when describing the Camden area from Mt Desert Narrows.
Explore Acadia without crowds: The Schoodic Peninsula section of Acadia National Park offers a less congested alternative to Bar Harbor. "Just ten minutes away is the Schoodic Woods section of Acadia—a less busy and equally beautiful area of the National Park," reports a camper at West Bay Acadia RV Campground.
Ferry excursions: Take day trips to nearby islands for scenic exploration. "We loved taking the ferry to Vinalhaven Island for the day and picking up prepared food at the Market Basket and eating it along the Rockland Harbor waterfront watching the boats come and go," shares a visitor to the Camden area.
What campers like
Waterfront camping options: Several RV parks near Castine offer oceanfront sites with direct water access. At Moorings Oceanfront RV Resort in Belfast, "The ocean access is great! A short set of stairs takes you down to the water which is great for exploring, launching kayaks, and letting the dog run/swim when the tide is out."
Dark sky viewing: Some campgrounds prioritize stargazing opportunities by limiting artificial light. "Another great thing about this park is that it is a certified dark sky park. Campers are asked to turn outside lights off so there is no light noise to interfere with the beautiful sky full of stars, planets, and meteor showers," describes a camper at West Bay Acadia.
Community gardens: Unique amenities like shared garden spaces enhance the camping experience. "We love the free community garden which has a wonderful selection of produce including strawberries, tomatillos, fresh herbs, beans, lettuces, etc. Feel free to pick whatever you will eat, just leave some for others," notes a visitor at West Bay Acadia.
Quiet, wooded settings: Many campgrounds balance convenience with natural surroundings. At Greenlaw's RV Park & Campground in Stonington, "This is a wonderful campground with sites with lots of privacy. We stayed for a month and were very happy with our stay."
What you should know
Tide considerations: Maine's significant tidal changes affect waterfront camping and water activities. "You will be left walking across muddy soft clam flats if you are not mindful of the 10-12 foot tides," warns a camper at Narrows Too about kayaking.
Variable internet connectivity: WiFi quality differs dramatically between parks in the region. At Timberland Acres RV Park in Ellsworth, "Our Verizon phone got good reception and our hot spot worked well. The campground wi-fi was decent at our site but that depends on where you are in the park and what time of day you are using it."
Self-contained requirements: Some parks require campers to be fully self-sufficient. "Need to be self-contained as there's no amenities. Park is on the water and great views," reports a visitor at West Bay Acadia RV Campground, where no bathhouse facilities are available.
Reservation flexibility: Booking policies vary significantly between campgrounds. At Greenlaw's RV Park, "Once your reservation is made (we texted the owner to make ours) reservations are on the honor system that you show up. No prepayment was required. An invoice is emailed to you with payment options the morning after you check in."
Tips for camping with families
Pool access importance: When traveling with children, pools provide essential recreation. At Mt Desert Narrows Camping Resort, "The kids loved playing on the playground and going down to the water at low tide. There is a kayak launch as well, and pool, but both were closed since we came in at the end of season."
Playground availability: Some RV parks near Castine feature dedicated play areas. "I love this campsite. They have sites right on the water, a gift shop, pool, laundry, game room, free showers and the times that I've been there they've had weekly events like ice cream socials and an Elvis impersonator," mentions a family-focused reviewer at Mt Desert Narrows.
Adult-oriented parks: Several campgrounds cater primarily to older travelers. At Pumpkin Patch RV Resort in Hermon, "The park is nice and clean with just a few amenities but just an average campground. This campground caters more to adults and does not have too much for kids to do."
Safety considerations: Some parks present specific challenges for families with young children. One camper notes, "It felt dangerous driving my trailer in because small children kept whizzing by on bikes and scooters, not stopping even as I was backing my trailer in," when describing Timberland Acres.
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: RV campers recommend researching specific site characteristics before booking. "Sites in the Woodlands Section(and#18) have nice tall trees for shade; whereas, the others are in full sun. Most sites have two sewer hook-ups which is convenient because hook ups vary depending on RV type," advises a visitor at West Bay Acadia.
Power management: Some parks charge additional fees for electricity usage beyond a standard allowance. "Sites range in price from $125-165/night depending on the season (with possible additional charges for electricity usage)," warns a camper at West Bay Acadia about their billing practices.
Seasonal pricing variations: Significant cost differences exist between peak and shoulder seasons for RV sites near Castine, Maine. One visitor to Narrows Too advises, "The shoulder season here is the best time to come. Preferably in the spring before mid-June or the fall when the leaves are changing color. Not all businesses and restaurants will be open before mid-June but you will have far less crowds than in the busy summer months."
Tree clearance challenges: Some parks present navigation difficulties for larger rigs. "Lots of tall pine trees provide shade but also make it a little difficult to navigate the roads. We had to go pretty slow to avoid hitting tree branches. Parking under the pines also meant a lot of sap on our roof which was a bear to remove," cautions an RVer about Camden Hills RV Resort.
