The shoreline around Cumberland Foreside, Maine transitions between rocky outcroppings and sandy beaches, offering diverse camping terrain within proximity to Portland's urban amenities. Winter temperatures in this coastal area frequently drop below freezing from December through March, making insulated accommodations crucial for cold-weather visits. Several glamping operations in this region operate year-round with heating systems that can handle Maine's coldest months.
What to do
Kayaking at water's edge: Recompence Shore Campground provides direct water access for paddlers exploring Casco Bay. "One can easily bike to all the rocky coasts or larger beaches. You can see the sunrise from one side, and the sunset from another," notes a visitor at Hermit Island Campground.
Farm exploration: Several campgrounds combine camping with agricultural experiences. "This campground is located on an organic dairy farm. There is a farm cafe on site with local food. We loved that!" explains one camper at Wolfe's Neck Oceanfront Campground.
Hiking accessible trails: The Eastern Trail offers multi-use paths near camping areas. "It is 1.3 miles of the Eastern Trail, a multi use gravel path which is a better place to walk, bike, or run. It is within a mile of the Audubon center office, where you can either put in your own kayak/canoe or rent one," notes a visitor at Wild Duck Adult Campground.
Beach visits: Multiple camping areas provide shuttle service or easy access to beaches. "You will definitely want to take the short drive (or the free shuttle service offered at the campground) to the nearby beach and visit the beachy boardwalk town of Old Orchard Beach," advises one reviewer at Bayley's Camping Resort.
What campers like
Adult-only accommodations: Wild Duck Adult Campground creates peaceful environments. "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," explains a camper. The site offers both tent and RV options while maintaining a quieter atmosphere than family-oriented locations.
Local seafood delivery: "Great place! Lobsters for sale straight out of the tank cooked and delivered to your site every day. Don't forget to add corn and potatoes," shares a visitor at Meadowbrook Camping. Several coastal campgrounds offer similar fresh seafood services.
Oceanfront sites: Premium sites with direct water views are highly sought after. "With the ocean just outside our RV the location is hard to beat," notes a camper at Sagadahoc Bay Campground. Many oceanfront sites fill quickly during summer months.
Winter glamping experiences: Heated structures make cold-weather camping comfortable. "We brought snow shoes and ice cleats and had a beautiful walk around the properties trails. It was extremely cold during our stay and I was surprised how well the wood stove worked to keep us toasty though we had to get up through the night to keep adding wood," reports a winter visitor to Maine Forest Yurts.
What you should know
Mosquito preparation: Coastal sites often have significant insect activity. "My all natural bug spray which is usually strong enough for NY bugs is not effective there. So I have to go back to the basic commercial brands like Off which works for hours per spray," advises a regular visitor to Sagadahoc Bay Campground.
Site privacy variations: "If you're looking for all the bells and whistles, full amenities and location to town this is it. I saw a few other reviews noting the noise levels, I think this comes with the territory of staying at an RV Resort," explains a camper at Bayley's Camping Resort. The reviewer adds, "Depending on your site location you may get more privacy than if you stay in the big rig sites. The wooded sites tend to be more private and less loud."
Reservation systems: Many popular campgrounds require substantial advance planning. "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," notes one visitor describing the process at Hermit Island.
Seasonal availability: Weather impacts operations significantly. "We had a w/e site. The full hook up sites are in a field and close together. We preferred to be in the woods. Bring bug spray. We liked our site but got so bitten up," shares a camper about their summer experience at Meadowbrook Camping.
Tips for camping with families
Activity variety: Freeport / Durham KOA offers structured programming for children. "Kid and pet friendly. Lots of activities for kids including a flashlight candy hunt, water slide, and s'more roast. We've been coming back for years," writes one repeat visitor.
Beach access convenience: Look for campgrounds with transportation options. "Free shuttle to transport you back and forth to ocean. Entertainment. 800 plus sites. Big rig section. Very clean," notes a visitor to Bayley's Camping Resort regarding their beach shuttle service.
Playground quality: Check facility maintenance reports. One visitor to Bayley's Camping Resort cautions: "The kids playgrounds are dangerous with huge pieces of concrete protruding out of ground around the base of slides and swings. Lots of stubbed toes and cut feet."
Noise level expectations: Set appropriate expectations for family-oriented campgrounds. "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," reports a visitor at Sebago Lake State Park Campground.
Tips from RVers
Electrical load management: "We paid for a 30 amp service, but had low voltage the entirety of our stay. The solution that was proposed, was that we remove our Watchdog EMS and Surge protector," reports an RV camper at Meadowbrook Camping. They recommend keeping voltage protection equipment in place.
Site selection criteria: Consider terrain when booking sites. "We were in a 45' RV and wanted a 50 amps full hook-up site severely limited our choices. We were assigned a pull thru that had such a steep incline we determined it best to actually back into the site so we didn't bottom out trying to get up the hill," advises an RV owner who stayed at Meadowbrook Camping.
Site surface variations: "The site was unlevel and we were always on a bit of an incline. Our coach is pretty sensitive when it comes to leveling so this may not be a problem with other units or towables. The site and driveway were gravel and we had a decent picnic table and fire pit," notes an RVer describing conditions at Meadowbrook Camping.
Seasonal site options: "We like to stay in the 'south section' which tends to have less kids because it is farther away from the 'action.' Plus, it is close to the Little River Complex which is an adult-only section with pool, hot tubs, café, bathhouse, and laundry (which has oversized machines)," recommends a visitor at Bayley's Camping Resort.
