The area around Coopers Mills, Maine has elevations ranging from 200 to 500 feet, creating diverse terrain for camping experiences. Located in the mid-coast region, these campgrounds experience typical New England seasonal patterns, with summer temperatures averaging 70-80°F during the day and 50-60°F at night. Many sites open from May through September, with most primitive options requiring visitors to bring their own drinking water.
What to do
Hiking from camp: Camden Hills State Park Campground offers direct trail access right from the campsite. "Sites are spacious, they have a variety of trails, and the town of Camden is charming," notes Missy R. in a recent review, highlighting the convenience of backcountry exploration without additional travel.
Kayaking on freshwater: Sennebec Lake Campground provides easy lake access for paddlers with gear. "We love the proximity to the lake with easy access for kayaking and swimming," reports Pam A., who has returned for multiple years with her family.
Christmas in July celebrations: Some campgrounds offer unique seasonal events regardless of the calendar. At Duck Puddle Campground, one camper mentioned, "The weekend we stayed they happened to be celebrating 'Christmas in July' and so a lot of the campers had put up lights and decorated. They had a band play on Sat night and large bonfire."
What campers like
Waterfront privacy: Lakeside sites with separation between neighbors rank highest in reviews. "The waterfront sites (61-66) offer direct access to the lake and have trees between the site for a more private feel. Some have a private dock for fishing or sitting, others have a small beach area," explains K R. about Duck Puddle Campground.
Clean facilities: Meguniticook by the Sea Campground receives consistent praise for well-maintained amenities. "We enjoyed our stay here in our motor home. The deck on the ocean is a great place to picnic," writes Kevin W., while multiple reviewers specifically mention the campground's "cedar showers" as a highlight.
Seasonal community atmosphere: Many campgrounds host regular activities that create community feeling. "Our second trip was better than our first. I can not say enough how friendly everyone is here. And great live music with large bonfire with many kid's activities," shares Andrew G. about returning to Duck Puddle Campground.
What you should know
Reservation timing: Campgrounds fill quickly during peak season. At Camden Hills State Park Campground, one camper advised, "Beware of weekend campers. I had no problem getting a first come first serve spot on Wednesday, but by Friday, it was busy."
Weather preparation: The region experiences typical New England patterns. "I'm here in 2025 and they are doing work on their water system so none of their water is potable," reports Missy R. about Camden Hills, highlighting the importance of bringing your own drinking water.
Payment methods: Some smaller campgrounds have limited payment options. At Town Line Camping, one visitor noted, "they only take cash or check so keep that in mind."
Tips for camping with families
Water activities for kids: Lake Pemaquid Campground offers multiple water-based options. "There are several playgrounds for the kids and even a small arcade for rainy days," shares Tara N., mentioning they "rent kayaks and canoes to explore the lake."
Family-focused campgrounds: Sites with organized activities provide structured entertainment. "Nice family friendly campground. Plenty to do with the family including a beach, playground, water activities, and crafts! Fun activities every week and a nice game room," writes Ashley V. about More to Life Campground.
Tent-specific advice: Some campgrounds offer better tent experiences than others. Jason D. noted about Lake Pemaquid Campground, "tent sites are on top of each other, but easy walk to camp store and bath houses. Beach access for swimming in the lake."
Tips from RVers
Site selection for privacy: Choosing the right spot affects the experience significantly. "We could have chosen lakefront but they were just water and electric and since we were staying 4 days we chose the full hookup in a nicely wooded site," explains Carol C. about Duck Puddle Campgrounds, showing the tradeoff between location and amenities.
Leveling requirements: Some campgrounds require less setup work than others. At Sennebec Lake Campground, Jason G. mentioned, "We have a 35ft RV, and we faced no issues getting in and out of the property and the sites across the water were level, with no extra leveling needed."
Road access considerations: Traffic noise can impact the camping experience. Kevin W. noted at Meguniticook by the Sea Campground: "The only downside to this campground is traffic noise from Route! Not bad at night but it does start early in the morning. I would still stay there again."
