The Coopers Mills area of Maine sits at approximately 292 feet above sea level in the midcoast region, where forested hills meet numerous lakes and waterways. The camping season typically runs from mid-May through mid-October, with July and August being the busiest months when temperatures average 75-80°F during daytime and 55-60°F at night.
What to do
Kayaking and canoeing on local waterways: Several campgrounds offer direct water access for paddling. At Sennebec Lake Campground, campers enjoy easy lake entry. As one visitor noted, "We love the proximity to the lake with easy access for kayaking and swimming. New ownership this year resulted in some updates, as well as the addition of glamping tents near the beach."
Hiking trails at various difficulty levels: The Camden Hills State Park Campground offers multiple trail options directly from the camping area. "The top portion of the park, where all the campsites are, has direct access to Mount Megunticook, and Mount Battie, and offers easy to advanced hikes. It's great to be able to do numerous hikes without having to leave the park," explains one reviewer.
Fishing in local lakes: Many campsites provide fishing opportunities with varying catch potential. A visitor to Duck Puddle Campground shared, "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."
What campers like
Quiet, wooded sites with privacy: Many campsites offer natural buffers between neighbors. At Chewonki Campground, guests appreciate the tranquility: "This was one of the most relaxing campgrounds we have ever experienced. Beautiful scenery with a river to highlight Maine's tidal environment. Kayaking, salt water pool and scenic walking trails blends in with the variety of singing birds under several tall pine trees."
Clean facilities: Campgrounds maintain their facilities to varying degrees. At Town Line Camping, one camper reported, "We loved this campground, quiet, a lot of seasonal campers, the lake is a decent swimming temp. The bugs were kind of vicious. The bathrooms and showers were decent."
Family-friendly activities: Many campgrounds schedule regular events. One visitor to Duck Puddle Campground shared: "They had a band play on Sat night and large bonfire. Everyone was invited to attend if they wanted to. Nice family friendly campground."
What you should know
Seasonal operations: Most campgrounds operate from Memorial Day to Labor Day or Columbus Day, with limited or no services outside these dates. A reviewer at Shore Hills Campground & RV Park noted, "We visited on Indigenous Peoples weekend. The leaves were at their peak and the nights were crisp."
Tidal waters affect access: Some waterfront campgrounds experience significant tidal changes that limit water activities. One Shore Hills camper observed, "The river is tidal and so unless you want to wade through mud there is not access beyond a couple hours around high tide."
Varying site quality within same campground: Reviews frequently mention significant differences between site types and locations. A Duck Puddle visitor explained, "We love coming to Duck Puddle in the shoulder season (spring and fall) when it's quiet... The rest of the campground is more busy and has the sites closer together, which isn't our scene."
Tips for camping with families
Look for weekend activities: Scheduled events keep children entertained. A camper at Beaver Brook noted, "This year we opted for a small group site with a centrally located fire pit and spent our days in the lake, pool, or just hanging out while our kids (ranging from 8-12) rode their bikes, made friends at the playground or participated in the activities that the camp had to offer."
Consider yurt camping for Coopers Mills family trips: Yurts provide a comfortable alternative for families wanting structure without a full RV. Shore Hills Campground & RV Park offers yurt camping near Coopers Mills for families seeking this unique accommodation option.
Check playground conditions: Facilities vary significantly in quality and maintenance. One Camden Hills State Park visitor commented, "Playground is a bit of a stretch. Firewood was a bit pricey at $7 a bundle."
Tips from RVers
Site leveling requirements: Some campgrounds require more setup than others. A visitor to Sennebec Lake Campground reported, "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."
Electrical hookups vary: Different campgrounds offer various amperage options. Check compatibility before booking. At Duck Puddle Campground, hookups include: "The site we had was on the water and had great views. It was surrounded by trees and had decent spacing between neighbors."
Dump station availability: Not all campgrounds with RV sites have sewer hookups or dump stations. At Lake Pemaquid Campground, one RVer observed, "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."
