Sebago Lake State Park offers glamping close to Denmark, Maine within a forested landscape at an elevation of approximately 300 feet. The region sits at the western edge of Maine's lakes region where the foothills begin transitioning to the White Mountains. Summer temperatures typically range from 60-85°F with cool evenings, even during July and August when campgrounds reach peak capacity.
What to do
Hiking Pleasant Mountain: Located just minutes from On the Saco Family Campground, this moderate 3.6-mile trail provides panoramic views. "Camping for the night before the hike to the summit of Pleasant Mountain! Beautiful campground, super friendly owners, amazing Saco River access, and crazy reasonable rates per night," notes Christopher K.
River tubing adventures: Rent tubes directly from campgrounds for floating the Saco River. "We took a shuttle up with some kayaks - reasonably priced - and drifted back down 10 miles right to our site!" shares Kristy B. about her experience at On the Saco Family Campground.
Swimming in crystal-clear lakes: Lakeside Pines Campground offers pristine lake swimming. "Loons loons everywhere. Lots of wildlife. Good facilities. Full hookups for boondockers. Dump station, bath house, laundry facilities, and fire pits throughout campsites," reports Jeremy G.
Winter exploration: Some areas permit winter camping with restricted facilities. Sebago Lake State Park remains open year-round with reduced services during colder months. Cross-country skiing and ice fishing become popular winter activities when lakes freeze solid.
What campers like
Private wooded sites: Many campgrounds feature natural barriers between sites. "Each site has heavy evergreens in between allowing for nice privacy - and the grass tent site has that privacy too and were good sized," explains a camper at On the Saco Family Campground.
Waterfront access: Direct lake and river frontage ranks high among camper preferences. "We had a beautiful waterfront campsite. The lake is gorgeous. Rocks make direct access to the water from the site difficult, but there is a beach for water access not too far away," notes Katie B. about Lakeside Pines.
Organized activities: Papoose Pond Camping Resort offers extensive programming. "Nightly events for adults kids and family. Kayak/canoe rentals, an amazing beach. Guided hikes," writes Kelley H. The campground includes "Tuesday trivia, Wednesday beach party, Thursday dance party, and Friday karaoke," according to another visitor.
Wildlife viewing: Early mornings and evenings present opportunities for wildlife spotting. "Loons loons everywhere. Lots of wildlife," reports a camper at Lakeside Pines Campground, while others mention frequent deer sightings at dawn.
What you should know
Seasonal operational differences: Most glamping accommodations close by mid-October. Acres of Wildlife Family Campground operates "May 1 - Oct 19" according to their listing, typical of the region's camping season.
Bear awareness required: Some campgrounds report active wildlife. "We spent 5 days and wished it was longer. There were 2 active bears while we were there. They circled our camper at night. It was incredible to watch. Of course we never left any food out!" shares Liz S. from Glen Ellis Family Campground.
Reservation timing: Book several months ahead for summer stays. For fall foliage weekends (late September to mid-October), reservations should be made up to 6 months in advance at popular locations.
Weather variability: Be prepared for rapid temperature changes and occasional heavy rainfall. "For a large portion of our stay it torrentially downpoured. The trees allowed us to canopy a tarp but our fire pit completely flooded and we had to bail it out when the rain finally stopped," reports Jess G. at Sebago Lake State Park.
Tips for camping with families
Multi-generational activities: Acres of Wildlife Family Campground specializes in programming for all ages. "A must! This camp ground is FULL of fun for kids. There is activities and 2/3 playgrounds. We went 2019 and It was tragic we were cancelled due to corona virus this year," shares Darci F.
Budget-friendly options: Some campgrounds offer affordable glamping near Denmark without premium pricing. "On the Saco Family Campground... has a nice bath house, has a bunch of campsites, a good store that has everything that you might have forgotten! The river is right there and you can splash around in it," notes Matt R.
Beach access considerations: Not all waterfront sites provide direct swimming access. "The sites are a little small and do not have any trees between them to shield you from those next to you," reports Katie B. about Lakeside Pines Campground.
Insect preparation: Black flies emerge in May and early June, while mosquitoes remain present through September. "Plan accordingly," advises Jean C. from White Lake State Park, who encountered "ground nesting bees all over. They didn't bother us, but it was disconcerting to see them lining the edge of the screen."
Tips from RVers
Site size limitations: Many campgrounds near Denmark have limited big rig access. "Narrow driving lanes for inexperienced campers," notes Jeremy G. about Lakeside Pines Campground, while another camper suggests "Sites are cramped and close together."
Hookup considerations: Point Sebago Resort offers full hookups but with some caveats. "This is what I would call camping for those that still want all the comforts of a resort, which is exactly what this place is. There a few tent sites and some RV sites, but Point Sebago is mainly full of their 'cabins,'" explains Joseph N.
Rental options: For those without their own RV, glamping alternatives include yurts, cabins and camp homes. "The sites have water and electricity which is nice and you have access to many of the resort amenities, of which there are lots," reports a camper at Point Sebago.
Campsite privacy varies: Research site maps carefully before booking. "Be sure to bring extensions for electrical and sewer as a lot of sites are set up with difficult connection spots. Relatively level sites, long dirt road to get to is a bit of a problem," advises Ed C. from Acres of Wildlife Family Campground.
