The Willimantic region sits in central Maine at the confluence of Wilson Stream and the Piscataquis River, creating a landscape rich with water features and forested terrain. Located approximately 800 feet above sea level, the area experiences typical northern Maine seasonal variations with summer temperatures ranging 65-80°F and winter lows often below freezing. Campsites in the region frequently offer stream or pond access, with most primitive sites located along waterways.
What to do
Hiking to waterfalls: Little Wilson Falls trail provides excellent hiking with dogs, following a 2.4-mile round trip route with swimming holes where the trail crosses the Appalachian Trail. "We saw massive amounts of moose droppings along the trail near Cranberry Pond and did see a large bull moose at the small pond just off to the right-hand side as you enter Rum Pond Road from Ki Road," notes a visitor to Rum Pond Campsite.
Paddling on quiet waters: Numerous ponds and streams offer excellent canoeing and kayaking opportunities. At Lily Bay State Park, "The lake, over 35 miles long offers sailing, paddling, swimming and even power boating. The closest town is conveniently located about 6 miles away for gas and groceries," according to one reviewer.
Wildlife viewing: The Moosehead Lake region is known for moose sightings, particularly at dawn and dusk. "Saw a lot of people doing this happily as I was exploring the logging roads north out of town," notes a camper at Leisure Life Family Resort who explored logging roads for wildlife viewing.
ATV trail access: Many campgrounds connect directly to regional ATV trail systems. "They have a great ATV washing station for riders bringing their own vehicles," notes a reviewer, while another mentions the trails are "designed for ATVs. They even have an ATV washing station."
What campers like
Waterfront sites: Campers consistently praise sites with direct water access. At Rowell Cove Campground, "Site 16 on the water you can launch your kayak from the site," reports one visitor. Another notes that "The sites are beautifully arranged along the cove, with almost every outside site with water access."
Privacy between sites: Many campgrounds offer well-spaced sites with natural barriers. "The campground is pretty quiet with spacious sites and lots of trees for privacy and shade," writes a camper about Lily Bay State Park, while another notes the "sites are spacious and well-maintained."
Clean facilities: Well-maintained bathrooms and shower facilities are frequently mentioned in positive reviews. At Moosehead Family Campground, "Large, clean shared bathrooms with good water pressure" impressed one visitor, while another found it to be "honestly, the cleanest bathroom/shower house I've seen."
Family-run operations: Several campgrounds in the region are owned by local families who provide personal attention. One camper at Balsam Woods appreciated that "Owners Matt & Jamie are wonderful and we left feeling like we had stayed at a friend's place."
What you should know
Reservations needed for peak season: The most popular campgrounds fill quickly, especially waterfront sites. "There are six primitive first come, first serve campsites near the trailhead of Little Wilson Falls," explains a reviewer of Wilson Streams Area, noting that "Maximum stay is five nights and they do limit occupancy to eight and only one dog."
Fire permit requirements: Campfires require permits at primitive sites. "A fire permit is required which you can inquire about by calling 207-695-3721. You are allowed to collect downed wood for fires but most of it is wet and unseasoned," advises a Rum Pond Campsite visitor.
Road conditions vary: Access roads to remote campgrounds may be rough. "The road from Greenville is paved part of the way and then turns to gravel. You don't need a 4-wheel drive vehicle, but the road is bumpy in some spots," notes a camper.
Limited cell service: Expect spotty coverage outside of towns. "2-bar cell service on Verizon at some areas in the campground (I had coverage at my campsite, but not in the more central locations and not on Lily Bay Rd)," reports a camper at Lily Bay State Park.
Tips for camping with families
Playground options: Several campgrounds offer dedicated play areas. At Moosehead Family Campground, "There is a playground for kids and plenty of room at each site for them to play," notes a reviewer, who added, "My family and I agree, this place is incredible."
Swimming areas: Lakes and streams provide natural swimming spots. One camper at Moose Creek RV Resort mentioned "a large 25 x 90' heated swimming pool, 3.5-acre stocked fishing pond with kayaks/paddleboats/canoes," making it ideal for families with children of various ages.
Educational opportunities: Wildlife viewing creates learning experiences. "We saw a red Fox, a grouse, turkey, a great blue heron and numerous ducks so wildlife is around," reports a visitor to Moose Creek RV Resort, providing natural wildlife education opportunities.
Weekend activities: Some campgrounds schedule family events. "The kids also loved the Saturday night movie they would play on the big screen as well as the movie rental options available for personal use while there," mentions a family staying at Balsam Woods Campground.
Tips from RVers
Site selection for larger rigs: Not all campgrounds accommodate big rigs. At Spacious Skies Balsam Woods, "Our site (#10) was perfectly level. Our favorite sites are 10 and 17–26 which are back-ins with privacy behind you and nice separation between sites," advises an RVer with a 45-foot motorhome.
Dump station timing: Plan for potential wait times when departing popular campgrounds. "There is a dump station with potable water and non-potable water to flush your tanks before you leave but there is only one sewer outlet so it gets pretty busy when there are a lot of check-outs on Sunday morning," warns a camper.
Tree clearance concerns: Some campgrounds have low-hanging branches. "Beware that park staff does very little in the way to trim trees along the roads and at the sites and you will scratch your rig navigating around the loops," notes one RVer about Lily Bay State Park.
Power options: Most primitive sites lack hookups. "Generators are allowed so if you are tenting you may want to book a walk-in site away from where RVs park," suggests one camper who prefers quieter camping areas.
