Cabin camping near Frankfort, Maine provides access to the Penobscot River watershed and surrounding hills at elevations ranging from sea level to approximately 400 feet. Winter temperatures can drop below freezing from November through March, while summer cabin rentals typically operate in the 65-80°F range. Most cabin facilities require reservations at least 3-4 weeks in advance during peak summer months.
What to do
Kayaking access points: Searsport Shores Ocean Campground offers direct ocean kayaking with varied launch options. "At low tide you can do fun rock designs on the shore, they offer lobster bake at the ocean for $60 pop with some sides. The community firepit is nice," notes one visitor who enjoyed the shoreline activities.
Hiking local trails: Trails accessible from Pumpkin Patch RV Resort connect to nearby community areas. "Snowmobile trails behind the campground lead to a walking path that connects the high school and elementary school for a pleasant walk in the woods," explains a reviewer who stayed during the fall season.
Beach activities: Balsam Cove Campground maintains a freshwater swimming area with paddle craft rentals. "Located on a beautiful lake, this campground is hard to beat for both activities and a sense of calm. Canoes and kayaks can be rented to enjoy the water and scenery," writes a camper who visited the area.
Historical sites: Fort Knox State Historic Site sits approximately 12 miles from Frankfort, offering military architecture tours for $5 per adult. "Close to Belfast and Fort Knox," mentions one reviewer who appreciated the historic attractions nearby while staying at Shady Oaks.
What campers like
Art and music programming: Searsport Shores Ocean Campground hosts regular creative activities including instrument workshops. "It's also a treasure trove of arts of all kinds - fiber arts, metal sculptures, carvings, paintings, and music. We got lucky and stayed on a lovely weekend in September that featured a small, intimate festival and workshop of fiddlers, banjos, ukuleles, mandolins, and guitars jamming with old time and blue grass music," writes one enthusiastic visitor.
Clean facilities: Campgrounds consistently maintain bathroom and shower facilities even during busy seasons. "The bathrooms are clean and the campsite was well maintained. Its in a very convenient location to Acadia," reports one camper about Mt Desert Narrows Camping Resort, which is approximately 35 miles from Frankfort.
Spacious sites: Several cabin camping options offer adequate separation between accommodations. "There is pretty good space between sites so you don't feel cramped or right on top of your neighbor. Most sites are level and there are long pull thrus so you don't have to unhitch if you are only staying one night," explains a visitor to Pumpkin Patch RV Resort.
What you should know
Water quality concerns: Water systems may have inconsistent quality at some locations. "There is defined an issue with the water. When we turned in the tap the water ran brown," reports a visitor who stayed at Mt Desert Narrows Camping Resort for seven nights.
Seasonal operations: Most cabin facilities close by mid-October. "Stayed here in October, the week before they shut down for the season," notes one camper about Pumpkin Patch RV Resort, which operates from May 1 through October 15.
Limited privacy: Cabins at some locations have minimal separation. "The sites are very close together, some are shaded, some not," observes a visitor about cabin accommodations at Hadley's Point Campground.
Cell service variations: Mobile connectivity ranges widely between locations. "Due to location, wifi signal is poor, and Verizon and T-Mobile are so so at different times of the day if you need to be connected," explains a Balsam Cove visitor.
Tips for camping with families
Playground facilities: Hadley's Point Campground maintains child-friendly recreation areas near cabin accommodations. "The campground has a heated swimming pool. Best of all, the campground was on the Island Explorer bus route, which is a series of busses that take you to different areas of Acadia National Park and into the surrounding towns," notes a parent who visited with their family.
Community activities: Regular social events occur at larger facilities during summer months. "They have casual jam sessions every night around the bonfire (bring your instrument and they'll fit you in!) and the lobster bake on Saturdays - don't even get me started," mentions a visitor to Searsport Shores.
Beach access safety: Rocky shore areas require proper footwear for children. "They have a tiny very rocky beach, not really somewhere to swim, just to enjoy the scenery and look for cool rocks," explains a parent who brought young children to Searsport Shores.
Tips from RVers
Site preparation: Bar Harbor/Oceanside KOA requires careful maneuvering for larger vehicles. "We have a 19 ft travel trailer and are not very experienced with backing it up. The staff member was incredible with his directions and helped me back it into a small lot that went down hill and around a corner," relates one RVer who appreciated the assistance.
Power management: Power hookups vary significantly between campgrounds. "Full hookup (sewer, water, 50 AMP)," confirms a visitor to Bangor Holden KOA, while others warn about inconsistent electrical service at smaller facilities.
Seasonal rate differences: Off-peak cabin rates can be substantially lower from September to mid-October. "We stayed here one night in September in a Tuesday. Quiet, very few people. Had a non electric site without water and paid the same price as the state park in Camden," notes a Balsam Cove visitor who found value in the late-season stay.
