Camping areas near Durham, Maine offer varying accessibility depending on the season. Situated in Androscoggin County, Durham lies within 30 miles of popular coastal destinations like Old Orchard Beach. Several campgrounds operate on a seasonal schedule, with most facilities closing by mid-October and reopening in May when temperatures typically range from 45°F to 75°F during camping season.
What to do
Beach activities: 4 miles from Old Orchard Beach. Saco Old Orchard Beach KOA offers convenient beach access during summer months. "This campground is four miles from Old Orchard Beach which is a trip. It is a throw-back from your childhood when carnival rides and funnel cakes made you so happy. The town smells like fried food and pizza and shopping consists of t-shirts and beach chairs."
Wildlife viewing: Observe loons and eagles. Augusta West Kampground provides waterfront sites for wildlife watchers. "This a beautiful spot, right on the Lake, listened to the loons, watched Canadian Geese with their goslings and saw a bald eagle swoop down and try to get something."
Local breweries: Craft beer with camping. Boothbay Craft Brewery & RV Resort combines camping with brewery access. "The brewery is really cool, and the wood fired pizza is some of my favorite. The folks who run this place are really friendly and accommodating." The site includes full hookup RV spots just steps from their taproom.
Hiking trails: Multiple nature preserves. Within 30 miles of Durham, several trail systems offer day hiking opportunities. "Nearby is the Ovens Mouth Preserve which has great hiking and nice water views and is just one of many nature preserves in the area which all are very nice, well-marked, well-maintained, and dog-friendly."
Kayaking: Tidal water access. Riverside campgrounds provide water access, though timing is important. "The river is tidal and so unless you want to wade threw mud there is not access beyond a couple hours around high tide."
What campers like
Quiet settings: Adult-only options available. Wild Duck Adult Campground & RV Park caters to campers seeking a more peaceful environment. "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."
Cabin rentals: Alternative to tent camping. Some campgrounds offer cabins with unexpected amenities. "K16 was a single room cabin that could comfortably sleep 4, furnished with a full-sized bed and a bunk bed. We were shocked to find that the cabin had electrical, lights and a small heater. Being a chilly fall night, this was greatly appreciated."
Waterfront sites: Lakeside and riverside options. Shore Hills Campground features water view sites along a tidal river. "We got a space on the water (82) and the view is so beautiful. Picnic table is clean and sturdy, bathrooms very clean. It's a quarter for a shower but that's fine with me."
On-site dining: Fresh local food. Several campgrounds feature on-site food options. "One of the nice features was the on-site restaurant which claims to be famous for their 'blueberry pancakes' and also offers Belgian waffles, pizza, hamburgers, and hot dogs. I admit the pancakes were delicious and loved eating them campfire side."
What you should know
Seasonal limitations: Most close by October. The camping season typically runs from May through mid-October, with some facilities closing even earlier. "We just spent the weekend here and were very impressed with the water views and the size of the sites. The campground is pet friendly- I think almost everyone we saw had a dog."
Site privacy varies significantly: Campgrounds offer different levels of separation between sites. "Sites are pretty close together but we had a site at the end that had wonderful views of the river and we could angle our camper so we had privacy."
Beach transportation options: Some campgrounds provide beach shuttle service. "In the summer there is a shuttle that takes you to the beach which is convenient. During the shoulder season dogs are allowed on the beach but not the summer."
Railroad proximity: Train noise affects some campgrounds. "Friday night 3am train is loud. Sunrise on the water beautiful, which gives this site an extra star." Another camper noted: "The trains all blow there horn and you will hear it if your at one of the site 'by the ocean'."
Insect preparation required: Tidal areas can have significant mosquito populations. "The only negative of this place was the mosquitoes. They were TERRIBLE. In the time it took after we parked the camper, to when I could dig the bug spray out of our truck I was covered in bites."
Tips for camping with families
Activity planning: Scheduled programming. Wild Acres Tent & Trailer Park offers extensive family-friendly facilities. "There is a something for everyone at this campground. Beach, adventure course with zip line, 5 pools, activities for kids and adults, horse shoes, bands every weekend."
Site selection strategy: Choose wooded areas. Certain sections of campgrounds provide better family experiences. "My sister and I lucked out with our cabin and the cul-de-sac it was in. It overlooked the woods and was a bit more secluded than many of the other sites. KK15, K3, K2 and K1 are great options as well, located along the wooded edges of the grounds."
Timing considerations: Weekdays vs. weekends. Crowding levels vary significantly by day of week. "We stayed a weekday night and over the weekend and the weekend was crazy busy. A little too much."
Water activities: Pool and lake options. Many campgrounds offer water recreation beyond swimming. "Loved our site right on the water and access to the docks for fishing & kayaking! Kids caught many sunfish & had loads of fun!"
Tips from RVers
Site spacing awareness: RV sites have varying degrees of separation. "The sites were fairly close to each other but we had a site at the end that had wonderful views of the river and we could angle our camper so we had privacy."
Diverse site types: Shamrock Campground and others offer a mix of site types. "Has a heated pool for de kids to enjoy. In the woods but close to Kennebunkport."
Access road considerations: Some campgrounds have easier entry than others. "The roads to our site were easy to navigate with our 45' RV and tow car but the check-in area near the office is very small and tight and at times, it was very backed up and RV's were out on the main road."
Local food shopping options: Fresh seafood is available near many campgrounds. "Pinkhams Gourmet Market has a nice selection of prepared items, meats, seafood, and gourmet items but for fresh lobster we head down to the waterfront to Atlantic Edge Lobster."