The Dedham, Maine area encompasses hardwood forests with elevations ranging between 100-300 feet. Located between Bangor and Bar Harbor, Dedham sits near Phillips Lake and offers convenient access to Maine's coastal destinations. RV camping options include both quiet wooded sites and waterfront locations with varying levels of hookups and amenities.
What to do
Kayaking and boating access: Several campgrounds near Dedham provide direct water access for personal watercraft. At Patten Pond Camping Resort, "There is a small beach at the lake where you can swim and kayak (for rent). People at the office are very nice, polite and accommodating." Another camper noted the park's "nice pond for swimming or boating."
Explore Schoodic Peninsula: The less-crowded section of Acadia National Park is accessible from camping options east of Dedham. "Just ten minutes away is the Schoodic Woods section of Acadia– a less busy and equally beautiful area of the National Park. Plus, there are many nearby nature preserves and public lands that have great hiking."
Visit local farms and shops: The region offers local food experiences within short drives of most campgrounds. "There is a wonderful organic farm down the road and a couple of local wineries are nearby. The nearby town of Gouldsboro has a delicious little ice cream stand and the Pickled Wrinkle restaurant serves great food. Live lobster can be bought off the dock at the nearby town of Corea."
What campers like
Waterfront views: Many campers appreciate the ocean and lake views available at various RV sites near Dedham. At Mt Desert Narrows Camping Resort, "We got a waterfront lot but the brush is blocking most of view. The park is lovely and we look forward to what we discover!" Another reviewer mentioned, "We had a beautiful view from our campsite!"
Dark sky viewing: Some campgrounds actively maintain dark sky conditions. "Recently added is a short nature trail and off leash dog park. Another great thing about this park is that it is a certified dark sky park. Campers are asked to turn outside lights off so there is no light noise to interfere with the beautiful sky full of stars, planets, and meteor showers."
Community garden access: One unique amenity reported: "We love the free community garden which has a wonderful selection of produce including strawberries, tomatillos, fresh herbs, beans, lettuces, etc. Feel free to pick whatever you will eat, just leave some for others."
What you should know
Seasonal operation limits: Most campgrounds have specific operating seasons. Timberland Acres RV Park operates "Mid May to Mid Oct," while others like Pumpkin Patch RV Resort run "May 1 - Oct 15." Some campgrounds close even earlier: "We spent 5 nights here and would of stayed longer if they weren't closing for the season."
Water quality concerns: Some campgrounds have reported water issues. "When we turned in the tap the water ran brown." Another campground received feedback about dump stations: "Not all campsites had full hookup and we were told that one of the dump stations worked, but as we were leaving, we realized it didn't."
Site-specific noise factors: RV campers should be aware of equipment noise at certain sites. "I would recommend requesting a site other than 66 or 67 because it backs right up to the water pump system for the RV park, which is quite loud when the pump turns on and off."
Tips for camping with families
Check for kid-friendly facilities: Not all campgrounds cater to families with children. At Pumpkin Patch RV Resort, "This campground caters more to adults and does not have too much for kids to do." Another reviewer noted a similar observation about a different park: "This is one of the best campgrounds we have visited in many years... The campground is adult oriented, super quiet, and super clean."
Look for playground access: Several campgrounds offer play areas for children. "The kids loved playing on the playground and going down to the water at low tide. There is a kayak launch as well, and pool, but both were closed since we came in at the end of season."
Consider camp store proximity: Facilities with on-site stores make family camping easier. "They have a store with basically anything you need. There's a Walmart down the road. It's 30 min from Acadia NP, 15-20 min from Bar Harbor and about 15 min from Ellsworth."
Tips from RVers
Site selection guidance: RVers report varying site sizes and privacy levels. At Greenlaw's RV Park & Campground, "This is a small, wooded campground with large private sites. The sites are well spaced apart, some wooded and some are not." Another camper noted, "Our site was wooded, and would have been tight for a larger rig. There are sites in an open area much better suited for bigger rigs."
Varying Wi-Fi reliability: Internet access quality varies significantly between campgrounds. "The campground wifi was decent at our site but that depends on where you are in the park and what time of day you are using it." Some campgrounds invest heavily in connectivity: "The Wi-Fi is so awesome that you are given free reign to stream, zoom, or surf without restrictions."
Self-contained requirements: Some parks have limited facilities requiring RVs to be fully self-contained. "Need to be self-contained as there's no amenities. Park is on the water and great views." At another location: "There is no bathhouse so all units must be self-contained."
