Glamping options near Frankfort, Maine offer diverse accommodations within driving distance of both coastal attractions and inland lakes. The region sits at the confluence of the Penobscot River and Penobscot Bay, creating unique camping opportunities with water access. Summer temperatures typically range from 60-80°F, while spring and fall can bring cooler nights requiring additional layers.
What to do
Kayak Branch Lake: Branch Lake Camping Area provides direct water access for paddlers. "My husband and I were driving up to Maine for our 2nd anniversary trip... they set us up on a prime campsite right on the bay, and had amazing recommendations for things to do in the area," notes one visitor at Searsport Shores Ocean Campground.
Explore hiking trails: Camden Hills State Park Campground offers miles of hiking paths directly from campsites. "One of the real pluses of this park were the miles and miles of hiking trails just outside our doorstep. Driving the tour road to the summit of Mt. Battie (elevation 800') is a must and the views are spectacular," reports a camper.
Visit downtown Camden: Located just 3 miles from Camden Hills State Park Campground, the town offers shops, restaurants, and harbor views. "The park is centrally located, just at the edge of downtown Camden. It provides a great home base for hiking, biking, kayaking and exploring the Camden/Rockland area," shares one reviewer.
Attend community events: Seasonal gatherings occur at many campgrounds. "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," describes a visitor at Searsport Shores.
What campers like
Waterfront sites: Branch Lake offers prime water access. "We had water & electric and there is a dump station onsite. Our site was waterfront we were right off the beach. The site was level and had some shade. If you have a small camper you can pull in forward and your door opens to the water," writes one camper at Branch Lake Camping Area.
Free shuttle service: The Island Explorer bus system serves many campgrounds. "The Island Explorer bus for Acadia National Park stops at the campground, so you have easy access without driving, if desired," notes a visitor at Bar Harbor Oceanside KOA.
Community atmosphere: Friendly environments make solo travelers feel welcome. "The atmosphere is the epitome of laidback and the scenery was breathtaking," explains a camper at Searsport Shores Ocean Campground.
Clean facilities: Spotless bathrooms and showers are consistently mentioned. "The bathrooms are very clean, as well as everything else. Quiet peaceful, we were so happy we extended our stay and rebooked to come back next month!" shares a visitor at Hadley's Point Campground.
What you should know
Reservation systems vary: Some campgrounds require advance booking while others don't accept reservations. "This campground does not take reservations so you can pick whatever open site you want and if you want to extend your stay, you can," explains a camper at The Bar Harbor Campground.
Site privacy differences: Site spacing varies significantly between campgrounds. "The sites are very close together, but the whole campground has a very community feel to it and we've always met some awesome strangers to hang out with," reports a Searsport Shores visitor.
Alternative accommodation options: Beyond traditional tent camping, the region offers various glamping in Frankfort, Maine area options. "Ashley here with The Dyrt, welcoming your host Lisa to our platform. A beautiful, peaceful spot amid woods & pasture," notes a reviewer about Cooley-Davies Homestead, which provides eco-friendly glamping accommodations.
Seasonal considerations: Many campgrounds operate May through October. "We arrived just a few days after the park opened for the season so the campground was especially quiet," reports a Camden Hills camper.
Tips for camping with families
Look for organized activities: Some campgrounds offer scheduled events. "We are always appreciative when booking KOA. This site did not disappoint. We did the pancake breakfast for donation, crafts, and wagon ride during the day as well as enjoyed the well-kept pool," shares a visitor at Bangor Holden KOA.
Choose campgrounds with playgrounds: Dedicated play areas help keep children entertained. "The camp has a large playground... they have a garden of veggies and flowers, a stage for entertainment or if anyone wants to play around, a small store with a ton of snacks," explains a Searsport Shores camper.
Consider beach access: Swimming areas provide cooling recreation on hot days. "We sat our chairs in the water and cooled down everyday and floated on our noodles. Great relaxing place," notes a Branch Lake visitor.
Pack for variable weather: Coastal Maine experiences temperature fluctuations. "We stayed here going to Acadia. Didn't spend much time here. Did have a wheel bearing go out on the trailer, and some folks at the park were helpful in finding parts and offering tools," reports a camper at Branch Lake.
Tips from RVers
Reserve specific sites when possible: For large rigs, certain campgrounds allow site selection. "You reserve a type of site, and then for an additional fee can reserve a specific site, if desired," explains a visitor at Bar Harbor KOA.
Consider hookup options: Not all campgrounds offer full hookups. "Some rv sites are full hookup, some only electric and water, but there is a dump station onsite," notes a Bar Harbor KOA camper.
Check road conditions: Some campgrounds have challenging access roads. "Roads in the park are paved but some corners can be a little tight for big-rigs, best to unhitch your tow car up front in case you have to back up," advises a Bar Harbor Campground visitor.
Look for maintenance assistance: Some campgrounds offer on-site help with mechanical issues. "We found a great mobile Repairman that fixed our slide out while we were there. It broke the 2nd week of June and we couldn't find anyone to fix it," shares a Branch Lake camper.
