Best Tent Camping near Chelsea, ME

Tent campers in the Chelsea, Maine area have access to several established campgrounds with dedicated tent sites within driving distance. Tiny Cabins of Maine offers tent camping on wooden platforms with fire pits and picnic tables, providing a serene setting near a pond despite some distant road noise. Other options include Continuous Harmony Farm, which features tent sites beside a pond where campers can enjoy watching sheep and listening to frogs in season.

Tent camping areas near Chelsea typically include basic amenities such as fire rings and picnic tables, with varying levels of facilities. Tiny Cabins of Maine provides pop-up toilets for tent campers, while some other sites offer more primitive experiences. Several campgrounds allow fires, with firewood available for purchase at certain locations. Access is primarily drive-in, though some sites like Tiny Cabins of Maine and Amy's Farmstays also offer walk-in tent sites. Drinking water is available at most established campgrounds, but availability varies seasonally.

The tent camping experience around Chelsea offers natural settings with opportunities for various outdoor activities. At Continuous Harmony Farm, tent sites are positioned next to a pond, creating a peaceful atmosphere despite potentially sharing the space with other campers. Tiny Cabins of Maine features additional amenities like hammocks and access to kayaking from a convenient dock. A visitor noted, "The tent camping amenities, including the pop-up toilet and sturdy wooden platform, were thoughtfully provided." Some locations like Continuous Harmony Farm have multiple unmarked tent sites that operate on a first-come, first-served basis, so arriving early is recommended during peak season to secure a preferred spot.

Best Tent Sites Near Chelsea, Maine (13)

    1. Tiny Cabins of Maine

    2 Reviews
    Coopers Mills, ME
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (207) 798-3132

    $50 - $120 / night

    "I recently stayed at the Tiny Cabins of Maine with my family for two nights, opting for their tent camping site. From the moment we arrived, the host's warm welcome made us feel right at home."

    "This smaller campground offers great privacy on a large pond in the Maine forests. "

    2. Tops’l Farm

    2 Reviews
    Waldoboro, ME
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (435) 640-6440

    "The common spaces are equally as luxurious. The bathhouse was just like a four-star hotel. They provide you with shampoo, conditioner and body wash. There is even a hair dryer!"

    "Located in Waldoboro, they create a wonderfully balanced experience between the outdoors and glamp.  While their model continues to evolve, camping is not available on all days/weekends.  "

    3. Riverbend Campground

    1 Review
    Leeds, ME
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (207) 524-5711

    4. Boothby's Orchard

    1 Review
    North Turner, ME
    26 miles
    Website

    "However, it is a beautiful space and well worth checking out for weddings or other get togethers. They also have cabins you can stay in as an alternative but those are limited."

    5. Continuous Harmony Farm

    2 Reviews
    Lincolnville Center, ME
    31 miles
    Website
    +1 (207) 763-3891

    $40 / night

    "We're so excited to have this property, hosted by Doug, on our platform. Park your van, or pop your tent, next to the pond."

    "The space is gorgeous, right next to a pond. Important to know though, there are several campsites. It's unclear how many campers could be there on any given night but it could be many."

    6. Rustic Retreat

    Be the first to review!
    Isle of Springs, ME
    26 miles
    +1 (207) 380-3463

    7. Mac's Camping Area

    1 Review
    West Poland, ME
    38 miles
    Website
    +1 (207) 998-4238

    $40 - $45 / night

    "Mac's camping has large RV Sites with access to their private beach & boat launch!  Make sure to check them out and leave a review on the Dyrt about your stay!"

    9. Amy’s Farmstays

    Be the first to review!
    Jackson, ME
    35 miles

    $30 - $165 / night

    10. Hemlocks Campground

    Be the first to review!
    West Poland, ME
    38 miles
    Website
    +1 (207) 998-2384
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Tent Camping Reviews near Chelsea, ME

459 Reviews of 13 Chelsea Campgrounds


  • L
    Aug. 20, 2021

    Desert of Maine Campground

    Aesthetically pleasing campground-- good for tent campers

    Desert of Maine campground is an excellent choice just 4-5 miles from the heart of Freeport at interstate exit # 22. This campground is well-imagined. Sites are close together, and some are small. There are 2 hike-in sites which are set apart. Wifi is provided throughout the campground and most sites have power. They must have studied "best practices" when designing this lovely campground. 

    I booked an extra night.

    This is an outdoor experience campground- not a wilderness adventure -- but perfect for young families…especially for those new to camping or those for whom a very sanitary classic bathroom is needed.Children find and entertain each other in the common area.

    Sites 19-27 face a shared square with excellent access to the modern and stylish bath house. Other sites have a somewhat further walk. Sites 17-27 are best for tents due to the configuration of the sites.. Tent sites # 2 & # 3 are short walk-in and very private, but lack easy access to the bath house. Almost all sites in this campground have shade and are under a beautiful canopy of old pine, maple and balsam.

    Site 24 is lovely & slightly set apart and cars are parked close by but not on the tent site. Site 27 is located down a steep slope and is very private but has difficult access. I would categorize site 27 as a hike-in site, but not # 24.  All sites are generally level and have been graded. Sites have scant privacy in front, but back up to forest. Sites 4, 6,17, 19, 23 & 26 have slightly more space but space is not the defining issue in this campground. RV's that are large should not try this campground. The maintenance is superb; and the thoughtful design of the overall campground is aesthetically pleasing. 

    This attractive campground is small-scale and personally managed. 

    Ice is available for purchase…as is wood. 

    Beware of speed trap on the 2 mile access road between the interstate & campground.

  • C
    Jun. 18, 2020

    Mount Blue State Park Campground

    Gorgeous, Well Maintained, Close to MANY Amazing Hikes

    These camp grounds are excellent. Grounds were fairly unpopulated so we had first pick and no neighbors! But I could see the sites being less private if it were a busy weekend. Walking trails through and around the grounds featuring a Nature Center, amphitheater, boat launch, and swimming beach on Lake Webb. I really enjoyed swimming, the water was clear and the beach was decently shallow. Canoe & boat rentals available too. Many primitive ground toilets that are kept very clean as well as a facility with hot showers and flushing toilets (but in my family we call that cheating). Potable water & camp dish washing stations sprinkled throughout also. Super close to many incredible day hikes such as, Tumbledown & Mt. Blue. We checked in for 3 nights and ended up staying for 5 because we were enjoying it so much! All of the sites are heavily wooded and occupied by the most amazing spectrum of songbirds, woodpeckers, and owls. Every site also provides a picnic table & a great stone-backed fire ring with a grill gate. Great design makes it so your fire light doesn't disturb your neighbors. I can't wait to return!

  • P
    Apr. 24, 2024

    Tiny Cabins of Maine

    Wonderful Camping Spot

    I recently stayed at the Tiny Cabins of Maine with my family for two nights, opting for their tent camping site. From the moment we arrived, the host's warm welcome made us feel right at home. Despite some distant road noise at night, the overall ambiance was serene and beautiful. The tent camping amenities, including the pop-up toilet and sturdy wooden platform, were thoughtfully provided. The fire pit and picnic table were perfect for evening gatherings, and the hammock added an extra touch of relaxation. We enjoyed the pub's games and even tried our hand at axe throwing. Kayaking in the pond was a highlight, thanks to the convenient dock. While the trails required attention to follow, the directional signs helped. Overall, I highly recommend Tiny Cabins of Maine for a memorable small family retreat, and we're already looking forward to returning in the future.

  • Jess G.
    Aug. 19, 2017

    Sebago Lake State Park Campground

    In the woods but very crowded

    This campground was in the woods and was well maintained. The campsites definitely felt like they were on top of each other and are pretty small. We picked a medium one and could barely fit 2 tents and 2 cars with a safe distance from the fire. 2 sites were within 15ft of our fire pit. The bathrooms were very clean. The lake was nice too, sandy beaches. 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. If the sites weren't so close together and small I would definitely give this place 5 stars.

  • D
    Jul. 10, 2025

    Honey Run Campground and Beach

    Family oriented!

    Perfect stay if you have kiddos and dogs! There’s a playground, arcade, and beach. They offer kayak and canoe rentals. We grabbed a tent site for 3 days and it had water and electric! You get a picnic table and fire ring

  • Lee D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Feb. 15, 2025

    Megunticook Campground

    Nicely wooded sites BUT...

    The sites here are nicely wooded and have a decent amount of separation between most of them BUT the campground is located too close to the road and, with the exception of sites 84-87 and cabins 8-10, you will hear road noise in your site. Options are 10 rustic cabins, tent sites, partial and FHU sites. 

    The bathhouse was very clean and there are both outdoor and indoor showers; both looked nice although we did not use them. 

    I thought $50 for a tent site was a little steep but it was all the potential extra fees that irked me:

    *$30 site lock to ensure you get the site you want when you reserve. I took a chance and was able to get the site I reserved without paying this fee

    *$4 weather guarantee (allows you to cancel due to inclement weather). I didn’t bother with this one

    *7.95 if you need to hook up to WiFi. We were able to use our own portable WiFi

    *$10 to use the dump station (we found another place that charged $5) 

    Aside from the fees and proximity to the road, this is a nice campground with a host of amenities: pool (which I was surprised was still open on October 1), horseshoes, laundry, dishwashing sink, a playground, and trash pick-up at your site. There is also a path to the shore with picnic tables, and chairs. Repairs to the sea wall are in progress so caution was recommended.

  • Jason D.
    Aug. 22, 2018

    Lake Pemaquid Campground

    Crowded, but great for kids

    lots of great amenities and events for kids. tent sites are on top of each other, but easy walk to camp store and bath houses. beach access for swimming in the lake. can be noisy outside of quiet hours, but becomes surprisingly quiet later at night.

  • Nancy W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 19, 2017

    Camden Hills State Park Campground

    Ideal Park in Perfect Location

    I have come to Camden many times and have always loved it being in the area. The town is charming and there is so much to do in the immediate area and the surrounding towns of Rockland, Rockport, Owls Head, Lincolnville, and Belfast . . . just to name a few. One of the best parts of coming to Camden is Camden Hills State Park.

    Overall, this is a really great park. Camden Hills State Park is located three miles from downtown Camden but the 5,700 acres provide you with that serene feeling that comes with being in the peaceful woods. We arrived just a few days after the park opened for the season so the campground was especially quiet. Our large back-in site was set in an open sunny area but most of the sites are nicely tucked into the woods with plenty of space between them. One of the real pluses of this park were the miles and miles of hiking trails just outside our doorstep. Driving the tour road to the summit of Mt. Battie (elevation 800') is a must and the views are spectacular (especially for watching the sunrise). If you would like to burn a few calories try hiking the trail to the top for a truly rewarding experience.

    Sites and patios are gravel and level with a picnic table and fire pit. Approximately, half the sites have water and 30/50 amp electric and the others are no hookups. The campgrounds website has a very helpful map showing which sites are reservable and what they offer. There is a dump station and water spigots are scattered throughout the campground. Free showers are located in the bathhouse/restrooms and were clean.

    For television watchers, there is no cable and satellite can be difficult due to trees. There are nine sites (55 - 63) located in an open field that may be able to pick up satellite. Our antenna found one major network and a few PBS stations. The Verizon signal on our phone and wifi on our hotspot were strong. The park does have free wifi at most campsites and the signal was very strong. (Sites #68-81 do not have wifi).

    Reservations can be made on-line but only about half of the sites are reservable leaving the other half for walk-ups. I would advise making reservations if you want to stay over a weekend or during the summer season as this park really fills up. You can stay up to 14 days which would definitely require a reservation in the summer. Although the park accommodates larger RV's, there are a limited number of sites for those over 35 feet and the gravel roads are easy to navigate in a big rig. There are really no amenities at this park other than the tour road to Mt. Battie, a swing set from the 1970's, a picnic shelter, and the trails.

    Camden should be on everyone's list of places to see if you are traveling the Maine coast. Within 10 miles are great museums like the Farnsworth Art Museum, the Maine Lighthouse Museum, the Sail, Power, and Steam Museum, and others. There are attractive lighthouses and great restaurants. In neighboring Rockport is Shepherds Pie - one of our favorite restaurants and the Market Basket a great shop for pastries, sandwiches, wine, and coffee. Downtown Camden has a great wine and cheese shop called Lily, Lupine, and Fern and excellent clam chowder at Cappy's Chowder House. If you are looking for a great place to paddle or cool off in the crisp Maine water, check out Lake Megunticook just five miles away from the state park.

    What we really liked was the convenient location to downtown Camden and other cute towns, there are hiking trails just outside your doorstep, and you are within five miles of a grocery, restaurants, attractions, etc. The sites are large and have nice privacy. And the price was right at $27/night.

  • Rachel P.
    Jun. 8, 2022

    Augusta / Gardiner KOA

    Endearing, but in need of a little love…

    BF and I wanted a last minute fall weekend getaway in Maine, and ended up at the Augusta-Gardiner KOA. Generally tough to accomplish during leaf-peeping season, but we worked it out. We stayed at site T5, which was wooded but pretty open. Size was decent enough.

    Overall, I’d say sites T8, T9, T10 are best if you’re tent camping. While all tent sites are tightly spaced next to one another, these 3 provide the most shade and privacy of the bunch.

    Owners are super nice, but the campground could use a little love. Bathrooms and amenities are a little tired. There’s potential though, and some really cute details, like a little fairy house and homemade, bear-carved benches around a KOA-community fire pit, that make the campground endearing. Also, there’s a bunch to do during prime season, particularly for the kiddies- pool, mini-golf, bounce house, playground and space to runaround.


Guide to Chelsea

Tent campsites near Chelsea, Maine are predominantly clustered within a 30-mile radius of the town. The region features a mix of farm-based camping, pond-adjacent sites, and seasonal operations running typically from May through October. Summer temperatures average 70-80°F with nighttime lows in the 50s, while seasonal rainfall patterns create variable ground conditions depending on timing.

What to do

Blueberry picking: Continuous Harmony Farm offers tent camping that coincides with their organic wild blueberry harvest in late July and early August. "Chill out and watch the sheep, or pick your own blueberries alongside their raking crew in their organic wild blueberry barrens," notes Ashley F., who adds that "this experience is available only during blueberry season."

Water activities: Campers staying at Mac's Camping Area can access their private beach and boat launch. According to Jake C., "Mac's camping has large RV Sites with access to their private beach & boat launch!" The sites provide convenient lake access without requiring additional travel.

Axe throwing: At Tiny Cabins of Maine, campers can participate in unique recreational activities beyond standard camping. Paige A. mentioned, "We enjoyed the pub's games and even tried our hand at axe throwing," demonstrating the diverse activities available beyond typical campground offerings.

What campers like

Pond-side camping: Tent sites positioned near water features are popular in the Chelsea area. Adam B. described the experience at Continuous Harmony Farm: "The space is gorgeous, right next to a pond," though he noted that "there are several campsites...not marked at all and there did not seem to be a way to check in."

Natural soundscapes: Many campers appreciate the natural ambiance of Chelsea-area campsites. Ashley F. recommends that at Continuous Harmony Farm you can "listen to the frogs while you camp on this gorgeous farm!" This natural soundtrack enhances the camping experience, particularly during evening hours.

Platform tents: Some locations offer prepared surfaces for setting up camp. Jake C. noted that Tiny Cabins of Maine "recently added a tent site alongside the cabins for those looking to bring their tents into this awesome location!" These platforms provide a level, dry foundation for tent setup regardless of ground conditions.

What you should know

Limited availability: Several campgrounds near Chelsea operate on restricted schedules or for special events only. Regarding Boothby's Orchard, Asher K. cautioned, "The campsite they have here is not open all the time and only available for special events so definitely make sure to check in advance."

Site organization: Some campgrounds lack formal site designation systems. At Continuous Harmony Farm, Adam B. observed, "The sites are not marked at all and there did not seem to be a way to check in. It was first come first serve for us."

Privacy considerations: While seeking seclusion, be aware that site layouts vary significantly. Adam B. noted that at Continuous Harmony Farm, "We were joined by two other groups who camped close by, so not great for a private experience like we expected but it was still a lovely time nonetheless."

Tips for camping with families

Book farm experiences: Agricultural settings provide educational opportunities for children. At Tops'l Farm, Heather C. reports they "create special weekend camping events and retreats. We participated in a weekend camping event that included a farm to table meal on Saturday evening in their barn."

Consider amenity levels: Family camping requires planning around available facilities. Mike M. described Riverbend Campground as "Just a beautiful, wild spot," indicating a more rustic experience that may require additional preparation when traveling with children.

Pack insect protection: Mosquitoes can be problematic at certain locations. Kelli T. noted about Tops'l Farm, "Only downfall…There are quite a few of mosquitos. Thankfully they provide various bug spray's that you can use!" This preparation is essential for comfortable family camping.

Tips from RVers

Check seasonal operation: Many tent campsites near Chelsea follow specific operating calendars. Range Pond Campground operates from "Apr 15 - Oct 15," limiting camping opportunities outside this window.

Verify hookup compatibility: Electric and water connections vary significantly between locations. Hemlocks Campground offers full hookup sites with drinking water access, making it suitable for RVers requiring utilities, though specific amperage compatibility should be confirmed before arrival.

Confirm dump station access: Not all campgrounds with RV sites provide waste disposal facilities. While Mac's Camping Area includes sanitary dump access, many smaller tent-focused campgrounds near Chelsea do not offer this service, requiring advance planning for longer stays.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Chelsea, ME?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Chelsea, ME is Tiny Cabins of Maine with a 5-star rating from 2 reviews.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Chelsea, ME?

TheDyrt.com has all 13 tent camping locations near Chelsea, ME, with real photos and reviews from campers.