Coastal Maine campgrounds near Chamberlain provide scenic water access with varying degrees of privacy and hookup availability. Seasonal operations generally run from May through mid-October, with most facilities closing before winter weather sets in. Water levels at oceanfront sites fluctuate with tidal patterns, creating unique camping conditions where travelers may walk far out onto exposed mudflats during low tide.
What to do
Kayaking access points: Sagadahoc Bay Campground offers direct water access where paddlers can launch right from the campground beach. "When the tide goes out you have the entire inlet to walk around in and explore. At night the stars were absolutely amazing!" Many visitors enjoy exploring the bay during high tide periods.
Beach exploration: Several campgrounds provide walking trails to nearby beaches. "The path to Pemaquid beach is right at the end of the driveway and not much further to the historic fort. The Pemaquid Point lighthouse is 15 minutes away," notes a visitor to Sherwood Forest Campsite.
Clamming opportunities: Tidal flats near coastal campgrounds present excellent clamming opportunities. A camper at Sagadahoc Bay notes, "The clams there are the sweetest and most delicious I have ever tasted, not to mention freshest. Clamming license, tools for digging and even pots are available at the office."
Botanical gardens visit: Located near camping areas in Boothbay, the gardens receive high marks from visitors. "Don't miss the Guardians of the Seeds (trolls) at the Botanical Gardens! Truly a one of a kind campground with amazing restaurant and brewery on site," recommends a camper from Boothbay Craft Brewery & RV Resort.
What campers like
Oceanfront views: Megunticook by the Sea Campground receives praise for its water vistas. "The views of the ocean are amazing! So peaceful for sunset and morning coffee," reports one camper. Another adds, "Beautiful small campground with wooded camping sites and a viewing area immediately on the ocean with islands and a lighthouse in the distance."
Cedar shower facilities: Several coastal Maine campgrounds feature unique shower setups. "I made use of the cedar showers for a long hot shower - awesome! Crystal clean bathrooms," notes a camper at Megunticook by the Sea.
Local seafood access: Many campgrounds offer fresh seafood options or proximity to local providers. "You can order lobster bake and have it delivered to your camp site for dinner," reports a visitor to Sagadahoc Bay. Visitors frequently mention proximity to lobster pounds and seafood markets as a highlight.
Wooded privacy: Shore Hills Campground & RV Park offers secluded spots among the trees. "They also have some sites tucked in the woods that are super wide with huge patios and lots of privacy between you and your neighbor and great for families or large gatherings," reports one visitor.
What you should know
Tidal patterns impact activities: Waterfront camping means planning around tides. "The river is tidal and so unless you want to wade through mud there is not access beyond a couple hours around high tide," reports a visitor to Shore Hills Campground.
Advance payment systems vary: Payment policies differ significantly between campgrounds. A guest at Greenlaw's RV Park & Campground notes, "There is no deposit for reservations and payment is online. This place is awesome and quiet."
Road noise considerations: Several campgrounds sit near main roads. "If there is a down side to the park it would be the road noise. You are right off of Rt. 27, which is the main road into Boothbay Harbor," reports a visitor to Boothbay Craft Brewery.
Reservation requirements: Most RV sites near Chamberlain, Maine require advance booking during peak season. Campgrounds with waterfront locations often book months ahead for summer weekends. Some operate with unique reservation systems that may require phone contact rather than online booking.
Tips for camping with families
Beach proximity: Thomas Point Beach and Campground provides direct beach access. "Great campground for someone who enjoys a more social experience, and access to many activities! There was plenty of walking to do, a playground, and lots of marsh area to explore with snails and horseshoe crabs around."
Pet-friendly options: Most coastal campgrounds welcome pets with specific guidelines. "The campground is pet friendly. I think almost everyone we saw had a dog," notes a visitor to Shore Hills Campground. Some require leashes at all times while others have designated pet walking areas.
Shoulder season advantages: Camping outside peak periods often means more availability and quieter conditions. "We noticed that the campground cleared out a lot the days after July 4th. Very quiet and possible to go on a last minute camping trip," shares a Sagadahoc Bay visitor.
Bug protection requirements: Coastal Maine camping requires strong insect repellent. "It is coastal Maine and there are mean mosquitoes. My all natural bug spray which is usually strong enough for NY bugs is not effective there," warns a regular visitor. Woodland sites typically experience more mosquito activity than open coastal sites.
Tips from RVers
Extension cord needs: Several campgrounds have unusual electrical setups. "The electrical hook ups are like 1 box for every 10 camping spots so they are kinda far away so make sure u have an extension cord of some sort," advises a visitor to Thomas Point Beach and Campground.
Leveling considerations: Campground terrain varies considerably across the region. "Luckily our site was level but some are not very level and would have been a problem for us," shares a visitor to Camden Hills RV Resort.
Tree clearance challenges: Wooded campgrounds may present navigation difficulties. "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."
Site placement for decks: Some RV sites include wooden deck platforms. "Our site had a wooden deck with a picnic table on it. The deck was nice but I had to be careful where I parked so my steps cleared the porch," shares a camper.