Northern Maine's Fort Kent Mills area sits at the confluence of the St. John and Fish rivers, with elevations ranging between 500-700 feet. Camping options extend from established RV parks with full hookups to remote wilderness sites accessible only via logging roads. Winter temperatures often drop below 0°F, while summer averages 70-80°F with moderate rainfall.
What to do
Hiking trails with viewpoints: Deboullie Public Lands offers excellent day hiking with trail options leading to panoramic vistas. "The hiking trails are some of the best I have been on at such a site. They could use some more signs at intersections but with the trail map we got from the checkpoint we were able to figure them out. The view points you can hike up to are beautiful. Two of them have log benches to sit down at the top and admire the view," notes Tina D. from Deboullie Public Lands.
Kayaking the Aroostook River: Rent kayaks directly from some campgrounds to explore local waterways. "The Aroostook river was down the hill and across the street. Swimming, kayaking, canoeing, ATVing, fishing, biking, and hunting are all activities to keep you busy. Don't have a canoe or kayak? They're available for rental at the campground. They can also provide a shuttle," reports Jean C. about Arndt's Aroostook River Lodge & Campground.
Crown of Maine Balloon Festival: This annual event draws visitors to the Presque Isle area. "I stayed here for 4 nights and enjoyed the Crown of Maine balloon fest, geocaching, fishing, and exploring," shares Jean C., who visited the region specifically for this colorful festival.
What campers like
Spacious, level sites: Many campers appreciate the generous camping areas at certain locations. "There are HUGE, level, terraced sites stretching up the hill. My site(74) was so large that there could have been 4 vehicles with teardrops and had space left over," writes Jean C. about Arndt's Aroostook River Lodge.
Walking trails and riverside access: Campgrounds with adjacent nature trails receive positive reviews. "One of the pluses of this campground are the walking trails that are adjacent to the park. There is also a mowed path down to the Aroostook River which is across the street from the campground," notes Nancy W. at Arndt's Aroostook River Lodge.
Quiet atmosphere: Lakeview Camping Resort receives praise for its peaceful environment. "Sites were well-groomed, amenities were nicely kept and the entire campsite was pleasant, very quiet and relaxing. Overall, it was a good experience," reports Kevin from his Labor Day weekend stay.
What you should know
Remote access challenges: Reaching wilderness camping requires planning. "Access is gained by private gravel logging roads leaving Route 161 in St. Francis, or off Route 11 in Portage, Maine. There is a check point when you drive through the logging facility area at the start of the main logging roads. You must check in for arrivals and departure. The drive is a good hour on dirt roads from there," warns Tina D. about accessing Deboullie Public Lands.
Limited facilities at some locations: Bathroom facilities vary widely across sites. "If you are in a tent and dependent upon facilities, there is a small bathroom with toilets and shower. They are cramped and dated; there's a small porch on the front and the paint is peeling," reports Jean C. about Neil E Michaud Campground.
Check-in procedures: Many campgrounds have unique registration processes. "Call the Fire Department to make reservations, though on a summer weekend there were still vacancies," notes Jean C. about Fort Kent RV Park.
Tips for camping with families
Pet exercise areas: Dogs need space to run at pet-friendly camping near Fort Kent Mills. "Big field in the back that my dog loved to run around in. Water & electrical hookups. Next to a big road that you can hear," reports Kelly B. about Neil E Michaud Campground.
Family interaction opportunities: Some campgrounds foster community atmosphere. "I have stayed here twice and loved it both times. The first time I went as a family the second alone and took in the views of the beautiful trails they had to offer. Everyone is friendly and they offer a clean shower house. Families here hang outside and interact with each other," shares Alexis K. about Arndt's Aroostook River Lodge.
Seasonal considerations: Birch Haven Campground operates from Memorial Day to Labor Day with family-friendly amenities. "Nice owners in a mostly seasonal campground. Hillside lots are under development and no cable or WiFi yet. Laundromat and restrooms are clean," notes Dick B.
Tips from RVers
Hookup placement: Be prepared for hookup location challenges. "Many of the sites are pull-through, which means the hook-up location is not an issue, but for the back-in sites on the hill, the hookups are on the 'wrong' side. You'll either need to pull straight in (for many rigs, it looked like that was doable), or run the cords under the trailer," advises Jean C.
Road navigation: Some campgrounds present access challenges for larger rigs. "Campsites sits on top of a hill and there is a tight winding road that you must navigate to get up there. We were able to navigate it with our 45' RV and tow car but we had to go slow and take up the whole road," explains Nancy W. from Grand Isle Campground.
Supplies and services: Limited shopping means bringing essentials. "There is nothing really within 1.5 hours or so from the camp sites so don't forget anything. There is a General Store in town but if you need certain things or want a big selection you will have to drive another 45 minutes to Walmart," cautions Tina D.
