Brunswick's coastal location at the mouth of the Androscoggin River creates a variety of camping microclimates within a 20-mile radius. Summer temperatures average 75-80°F during day and can drop to 50-55°F at night, while humidity levels remain relatively high near water sites. Campers should prepare for temperature swings that can feel significant, especially at waterfront campsites near Brunswick where morning fog is common.
What to do
Beach exploration: 4-5 miles from town. Popham Beach State Park offers expansive sandy shorelines just a short drive from campgrounds in Phippsburg. At Meadowbrook Camping, visitors appreciate the proximity: "Popham beach is so close and by far one of the best beaches in Maine. If you are looking for a place in Maine close to a beach and where you can have lobster this is it!"
Farm-based activities: 15 minutes from downtown. Wolfe's Neck Oceanfront Campground combines 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! We went into Freeport and did a lobster charter on the Jenny ellen boat. Best memories of any trip," notes one reviewer.
Tide exploration: 30 minutes south. Visit Sagadahoc Bay Campground where tidal flats create unique exploration opportunities. "When the tide goes out you have the entire inlet to walk around in and explore. At night the stars were absolutely amazing!" One visitor added, "The most unique feature of this campground happens at low tide when you can walk over a mile out towards the lighthouse on Sequin Island."
What campers like
Unique natural features: Desert in Maine. The unexpected sand dunes at Desert of Maine Campground consistently surprise visitors. "I never expected to stumbled across sand dunes in coastal Maine, so this was super cool," wrote one camper. Recent renovations have improved the experience: "The restrooms and showers were some of the nicest I have EVER seen at a campground (public or private)."
Clean facilities: State park maintenance. Bradbury Mountain State Park Campground maintains high standards for their bathrooms. "Clean shower building and dishwashing area," notes one reviewer. Another appreciated the "kitchen area for dishes and a microwave for heating your meals." The park also provides "a nice kitchen/dish washing lean-to was a wonderful addition!! Loved that it had a coffee maker."
Privacy options: Site selection matters. Many campgrounds offer varying levels of seclusion. At Wolfe's Neck, "Sites were not very private, but the views and scenery are spectacular." Meanwhile, Hermit Island Campground provides "private oceanfront getaway. No dogs except one weekend a year. This was nice before I had a dog. No barking. No radios. Just peace and quiet."
What you should know
Reservation timing: Peak season books early. Most campgrounds fill quickly, especially waterfront sites. At Hermit Island Campground, "We were not able to select a site close to the water since those sites all get reserved in the early spring!" The reservation system is "very old school - mail a letter and wait."
Bug preparation: Essential for comfort. Maine's coastal woodland environment breeds mosquitoes. A Hermit Island visitor warned, "Beware of ticks in the leaves and trails," while another noted they were "swarming with mosquitoes all night." Thermacell devices are recommended: "We've always had good results using thermacell units."
Cell service: Limited in many areas. Expect connectivity challenges at most campgrounds. Hermit Island has "absolutely NO CELL SERVICE" which requires planning ahead. A Freeport/Durham KOA visitor reported "WiFi and cell service are both spotty," and Desert of Maine has "WiFi near the camp check in and gift shop."
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly beaches: Water access varies. Winslow Park And Campground receives praise for its bay views and beach: "Clean bathrooms and spacious tent sites. You can choose to have a tent site right on the bay or off of the bay view. The bay view sites are our favorite, we get front row seats every morning to the sunrise on the water." Another family noted, "There is also a playground and small beach."
Farm animal interactions: Educational opportunities. Wolfe's Neck offers unique experiences where "kids really enjoy running in field and that there is a working farm within the camp ground." Another visitor shared, "My kids enjoyed visiting with the farm animals and walking along the rocky shore each day."
Playground accessibility: Activity options. Thomas Point Beach Campground features "a playground, volleyball pit, a game room, and snack shop/camp store near the entrance." At Freeport/Durham KOA, families enjoy "a pool with slide, a playground, a basketball hoop, a disc golf net. They have hayrides and a nightly train ride for younger visitors."
Tips from RVers
Hookup limitations: Plan accordingly. At Thomas Point Beach Campground, "no water hook ups, and the electric hook up required a 50 ft. extension cord to reach a pole." Another RVer noted, "There's no water or sewer hook ups so fill ur water tank before parking."
Leveling challenges: Site selection crucial. At Meadowbrook Camping, "Site 18 was not level and we had difficulty leveling our small motorhome." Consider calling ahead to discuss specific needs. Another visitor noted, "The sites are not level and most are not shaded or very wide."
Oceanfront positioning: Worth the tradeoffs. At Chewonki Campground, "Camper sites in the field have the best views!" Similarly, at Sagadahoc Bay, "With the ocean just outside our RV the location is hard to beat." One visitor advised, "We spent the night in one of the Oceanfront RV spots. The RV spots are in a very open field, but they are directly on the water."
