Cumberland Foreside camping offers unique access to both inland forest areas and coastal settings within a compact region. Sites are typically available from May through October, though Bradbury Mountain State Park Campground remains accessible year-round. Winter temperatures can drop below freezing, making off-season camping suitable only for prepared visitors with appropriate cold-weather gear.
What to do
**Kayaking the marsh: There's a 9-11' tide, so timing matters when exploring the waterways near Wild Duck Adult Campground & RV Park. "This campground is small but well maintained. We had a 'seasonal' site for two nights in September. It was very large and level with a picnic table and fire ring," notes one visitor. The campground sits adjacent to Scarborough Marsh with kayak/canoe access.
**Farm experiences: Learn about sustainable agriculture at Wolfe's Neck Oceanfront Campground. "This campground is located on an organic dairy farm. There is a farm cafe on site with local food. We loved that!" writes a camper. The working farm offers tours where visitors can see livestock up close. "The working farm is open to visit and walk around. Pet the baby cows and see the pigs and goats," another camper mentions.
**Trail exploration: Numerous hiking and biking paths connect campgrounds throughout the region. "Lots and LOTS of trails surrounding the campground. Great for biking and trail running," writes one visitor about Bradbury Mountain State Park Campground. These trails range from easy walks to more challenging routes with elevation changes and varied terrain.
What campers like
**Clean facilities: Campers consistently praise bathroom conditions at several campgrounds. "The bathrooms and showers were some of the nicest I have EVER seen at a campground (public or private)," writes one visitor about Desert of Maine Campground. The bathhouse renovations get special mention from multiple reviews.
**Adult-only options: For campers seeking quieter environments, some campgrounds cater specifically to adults. "This adult only campground is peaceful and quiet, with the sounds of birds and the trees being the main thing you hear - it is quite relaxing," notes a reviewer at Wild Duck Adult Campground. This setting allows for a more subdued camping experience away from family-oriented activities.
**Unique natural features: The Desert of Maine offers an unexpected landscape. "I never expected to stumbled across sand dunes in coastal Maine, so this was super cool," writes a visitor. This geological anomaly provides a distinctive camping backdrop not typically associated with Maine's landscape.
What you should know
**Reservation systems vary significantly: Some campgrounds still operate with traditional booking methods. At Hermit Island Campground, "This campground does not have an online reservation system. You have to mail in your request or call. When calling during the 'winter' months (anytime from September through Mid-June), staff can only be reached from 9:00-2:00."
**Bug preparation essential: Maine's coastal and marsh areas can have significant insect activity. "Even as seasoned campers, they were too much," notes one camper about mosquitoes at Hermit Island. Another advises, "BRING BUGSPRAY!!! My husband and I stayed here in our popup for two nights in June 2018. The campground was veeerrryyy quiet, we almost felt bad making noise as we set up upon arrival... The only negative of this place was the mosquitoes. They were TERRIBLE."
**Variable cell service: Many campgrounds have limited connectivity. "No WiFi and poor Verizon reception," notes a camper at the Freeport/Durham KOA. At Hermit Island, "Absolutely NO CELL SERVICE... Not for us because in case of emergency, couldn't call anyone for help. Had to drive about a mile out to get reception."
Tips for camping with families
**Kitchen facilities: Some campgrounds provide convenient washing stations for meals. At Bradbury Mountain State Park Campground, "The kitchen/dish washing lean-to was a wonderful addition!! Loved that it had a coffee maker." Another visitor notes, "There is a shared mini kitchen with a sink, making clean-up very easy."
**Seasonal activities: Fall offers special programming at some campgrounds. "The Halloween celebration is really well done- campers decorate their sites, there is an in-costume parade, and the central, bigger rigs are set up for trick or treating," writes a camper about Freeport/Durham KOA. Booking early is recommended for special events as sites fill quickly.
**Swimming options: Several campgrounds near Cumberland Foreside provide water recreation. "Most sites are close together, but the views and scenery are spectacular. My kids enjoyed visiting with the farm animals and walking along the rocky shore each day. Plenty to do between biking, kayaking, farm experience and visiting downtown Freeport close by," says a Wolfe's Neck Oceanfront visitor.
Tips from RVers
**Site selection matters: Many campgrounds have varying site layouts and access. "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," advises an RVer about Desert of Maine Campground.
**Generator restrictions: Most campgrounds in the area have strict policies. At Winslow Park And Campground, "There are no hookups and fairly strict generator hours." This affects power management plans for RVers relying on onboard systems.
**Varying site privacy: Consider how close neighboring campsites will be. "Sites were nice. campground staff is good. clean shower building and dishwashing area," notes a visitor to Bradbury Mountain State Park, while others mention the proximity of sites. At Hermit Island, "Most campsites have a lot of privacy. You're neighbors are not right on top of you like most campgrounds I've been to."
