Becky S.
Scout
ScoutPiscataquis Point
We spent the weekend and it was so peaceful and relaxing! It was very nice and neat. We looking for coming back again!!!
Camping near Frenchtown, ME
113 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
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Camping near Frenchtown, Maine ranges from primitive walk-in sites to full-service RV parks along the Moosehead Lake region. State-managed areas like Lily Bay State Park offer two distinct camping areas - Dunn Point and Rowell Cove - with waterfront sites along Maine's largest lake. Primitive camping opportunities abound in public lands such as Little Moose Public Lands, where walk-in sites provide seclusion along ponds and streams. For those seeking more amenities, private campgrounds like Moose Creek RV Resort and Moosehead Family Campground provide electric hookups, showers, and organized activities. The area also features unique accommodations including the AMC Medawisla Lodge and Cabins for those seeking a backcountry lodge experience with trail access.
Fire permits are required for most primitive sites in the region, typically obtained by calling local forest service offices. Many campers note the importance of proper preparation when visiting remote sites. As one visitor to Little Moose Pond Campsite explained, "The campsite is tucked in the woods so you get some shade and privacy. Since you are right on the water, there are great views of the pond and surrounding woodlands." Access to more remote camping areas often requires travel on logging roads where trucks have the right of way. Weather can change rapidly, particularly around Moosehead Lake, with sudden wind gusts and rain storms possible even in summer. Cell service is spotty throughout the region, with most primitive sites having no coverage at all.
Waterfront camping locations receive consistently high ratings from visitors, with many highlighting the calls of loons at night as a memorable experience. According to one camper at Lily Bay State Park, "Each night loons call to each other" across the lake. Wildlife viewing opportunities are abundant, with moose sightings common at dawn and dusk, particularly at smaller ponds like Rum Pond and Lazy Tom Bog. Most primitive sites operate on a first-come, first-served basis with 14-day maximum stays and carry-in, carry-out policies. Developed campgrounds typically require reservations, especially for summer weekends and during September's International Seaplane Fly-in event in Greenville. The town of Greenville, approximately 9 miles from many camping areas, serves as the main supply point with grocery stores, outfitters, and restaurants.
Best Campgrounds near Frenchtown (113)
1. Dunn Point Campground — Lily Bay State Park
"Absolutely one of the jewels in the Maine State Park System, Lily Bay on enormous Moosehead Lake is generally open year round."
"This gorgeous state park along the shores of Moosehead Lake near Greenville feels like the campgrounds of my youth. Sites are all tucked into the woods with easy access to trails and the lakeshore."
from $20 - $30 / night
Check Availability2. Rowell Cove Campground — Lily Bay State Park
"Out site was away from the lake so we only had access to outhouse but could drive to the lake and comfort station with plumbed toilets and showers."
"Lily Bay is located nine miles north of the town of Greenville and in one of the best regions to explore Maine’s wilderness."
from $20 - $30 / night
Check Availability3. Lazy Tom Bog Primitive Campsite
"You will find this site just past the bridge off Spencer Bay Road (old logging road) on the right (when coming from the main roads). Bring boats if you want to see moose. We had kayaks."
"I’d say closest gas station was probably 15-20 minutes away from the spot. People come often to check for moose and loud lumber trucks pass often so keep that in mind when camping."
4. Northern Pride Lodge and Campground
5. Moose Creek RV Resort
"The campground opened in May 2022 and is just what the Greenville area of Maine needed– a nice, large campground which is big-rig-friendly, nice amenities, and close to downtown."
"Moose Creek RV Resort is in a great location in Greenville, close to town and to ATV trails. A good amount of ATV parking across the street. "
from $55 - $60 / night
Check Availability6. AMC Medawisla Lodge and Cabins
"Find amazing dispersed rustic campsites around Second Roach Pond at AMC's Medawisla Lodge - call ahead for more info. "
from $150 / night
Check Availability7. Spencer's Cove
"Beautiful spots on the lake."
8. Moosehead Family Campground
"Season opens around Memorial Day and when I visited midweek in late June it was still quiet. Most sites are back-in, though they offer some pull throughs, and most are wooded or in the orchard."
"Camp is just outside of Greenville so it’s super easy to go into town if you forgot anything. The only thing I wasn’t a fan of was I could hear the road noise from rt.6."
from $28 - $54 / night
Check Availability9. Cowan Cove
"This is one of many sites around Moosehead Lake area."
"Wonderful location only 18 sites. I have camped here several times and live in the area. Roads are bumpy and dusty but very passable. Though I’m not bringing my half million dollar Dutch Star here."
10. Pleasant River (Katahdin Ironworks)
"Beautiful hike-in sites located along the Pleasant River, and a great access point for hiking on the Appalachian Trail or in Gulf Hagas area! "
"This was an unexpectedly beautiful site and great access point for hiking on the Appalachian Trail or Gulf Hagas area!"
from $34 - $54 / night
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Drive Time
- 1 hr 45 min from Bangor, ME
- 2 hrs 29 min from Lewiston, ME
- 3 hrs 6 min from Portland, ME
- 5 hrs 58 min from Burlington, VT
Recent Camping Photos near Frenchtown, ME
135 Photos of 113 Frenchtown Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Northern Pride Lodge and Campground
Rowell Cove Campground — Lily Bay State Park
Casey's Spencer Bay Camps - PERMANENTLY CLOSED
Dunn Point Campground — Lily Bay State Park
Shallow Bay
Moose Creek RV Resort
Pleasant River (Katahdin Ironworks)
Moosehead Family Campground
Little Moose Pond Campsite
Upper Gravel Pit - Dispersed
Little Jo-Mary Pond Campsites
Seboomook Wilderness Campground
Recent Reviews near Frenchtown, ME
257 Reviews of 113 Frenchtown Campgrounds
- Nancy W.
LegendMatagamon Wilderness
Great location Near Baxter State Park
The location of this campground is great! It is situated on the East Branch of the Penobscot River and just one and a half miles from the north entrance to Baxter State Park and very close to Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument. If you are looking for a great place to stay in the northern Maine wilderness with great access to amazing hiking, fishing, canoeing, and hunting, this is the place for you. Matagamon Wilderness is a mix of campsites and cabins with a general store, restaurant, gas station and guide service. The staff are very friendly and extremely helpful and gave us lots of tips on fishing and places to hike. The campground is small at just over 30+ Sites which are a mix of sizes from small ones suitable for vans or tent to those that can handle bigger RVs. Sites are spread throughout the property and very rustic in their feel. Campsites along the water are the best with great views and easy water access right out your door. Other are set back and have a great sense of privacy. Campsites have picnic tables and fire pits. The tent sites have lean-to’s to protect you from the weather. Toilets are vault toilets. If you are looking for “RV Resort” type amenities, you won’t find many as this is a basic campground. There are cabins on the property for those that don’t have an RV or tent. The cabins were recently renovated with equipped kitchens, showers, gas lights, gas heat, wood stoves, and screened porches. The shower facilities had great water pressure with lots of hot water and there is a dump station for RVers. Daily camping rates are affordable at $35/night. Inside the “store” is a restaurant with delicious food and reasonable prices. They have a variety of food items for sale and delicious home-baked bread and cookies. They are famous for their Mount Katahdin Burger– which is three 8-oz angus beef patties, American cheese, bacon, lettuce, tomatoes, onions, pickles, and mayo, on a homemade bear bun and served with chips and a pickle. The store also has a great selection of beer, including many from Maine. Another eatery is at Shin Pond Campground which is just a short drive away.
A couple things to note. Cell service is very poor in this area. Our Verizon phone popped in and out of service but mostly it did not pick up a signal so no phone or mobile data. If you are going to Baxter State Park be aware that there are restrictions on vehicles(“no vehicle over nine feet high, seven feet wide, or 22 feet long for a single vehicle or 44 feet long for combined units”) and dogs are strictly prohibited.
- Nancy W.Legend
Leisure Life Family Resort
Rustic Campground Adjacent to Hotel and Restaurant
This facility is a unique combination of campground(RV and tent), hotel, restaurant, bar, and golf driving range. Camping is in a grassy field or tucked into the woods. There are no hook-ups and no dump station. Sites are dispersed and have a fire pit and picnic table. Campsites are very affordable- the price is $25/night for two people and$10 for each additional person which means the price for four people would be$45/site (plus a 9% Maine tax). Some sites are tucked in the woods and more private, while others are more open. The grass was mowed and the campsites were clean. There is a bathhouse but it a quite a distance from the campsites. Amenities include a small catch and release trout pond (with a peddle boat available for use), volleyball net, and driving range. Access to snowmobiling and ATVing(which is really big in the area) is adjacent to the property. There is a restaurant and bar onsite but it is only open in the evenings three days a week and not open when we were there. However, the town of Greenville is very close with more dining options (we especially loved pizza from Jamos).
The surrounding area has lots of hiking trails and places to paddle. We loved paddling Prong Pong and Lilly Bay State Park and hiking in Little Moose Public Lands. Fall is a great time to visit this area as the autumn colors are fantastic. Another great time to come is for the International Seaplane Fly-in in early September when hundreds of seaplanes come for the event.
Paul D.ScoutBig Eddy Cabins & Campground
Big Eddy , Great place
They do a great job of taking care of the place. fly fishing and hanging !
Lindsy A.
TravelerBig Moose Inn Cabins and Campground
Beautiful campground!
Beautiful view of the water right from the site!
Roberta S.
GuideSpencer's Cove
Free boondocking
The only amenities are a fire ring, picnic table, and a vault toilet. 5 sites at the first spot, about 13 at the larger site down the road. You need to register at the second site, but there's no fee. Beautiful spots on the lake.
- NNicole Z.Traveler
Seboeis Public Lands
Beautiful , close sites
There are only 2 sites - beautiful but close together. Both were taken in the middle of the week.
- Kathy D.Scout
Moose Creek RV Resort
Moose Creek RV resort
Love this place . Super well maintained & clean! Just booked 2 more weeks for the fall
Phillip H.ScoutPeaks-Kenny State Park
Very Peaceful and Quiet
I had fun camping here. The campsites are mostly level in the woods. It really gives you that Maine feel. A few sites have electric. Very nice showers. Nice hiking trail. A fun activity is to find all 12 unique picnic tables that are placed throughout the park by an artist. Recommended.
Guide to Frenchtown
Camping spots near Frenchtown, Maine provide access to the central Maine wilderness at an elevation around 1,000-1,500 feet above sea level. The region experiences temperatures that can drop below 50°F even in summer months, with September and October bringing early frosts. Most primitive sites in the area lack potable water, requiring visitors to filter from streams or bring their own supply.
What to do
Kayak fishing on Second Roach Pond: AMC's Medawisla Lodge and Cabins offers free dispersed camping with access to excellent fishing. "Beautiful waterfront sites - bring your own kayak/canoe/SUP and you can paddle over to the main lodge or explore the lake while listening to the loons call. Moose sitings are frequent too," notes Roger F.
Visit the B-52 crash site memorial: Located near Elephant Mountain, this historical site provides a somber look at Maine history. "Elephant Mountain and see the site of the B-52 crash," suggests Michelle R. from Lily Bay State Park, who adds it's one of several "once relatively 'secret' spots" now marked with blue tourist information signs.
Explore the 100-Mile Wilderness: The region contains part of Maine's designated Dark Sky Preserve. As one camper at Medawisla explains, "My buddy immediately called them Narnia. I can't disagree!" The wilderness area offers stargazing opportunities rarely found in the eastern United States.
What campers like
Private waterfront access: Rowell Cove Campground campers appreciate being able to launch directly from their sites. "Site 16 on the water you can launch your kayak from the site," notes a camper, highlighting the convenience of waterfront camping.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: The area is known for moose sightings. One camper at Pleasant River reported, "We were seeking a place to stay 1 night just before embarking on a backpacking trip... We even were visited by a moose and her calf one evening!"
Rustic camping experience: Many campers value the remote feeling. "It's a long, bumpy, and dusty road to basically an 18-site parking lot. The only amenity is a pit toilet (which is fine, just noting). Great for kayaking and listening to loons," writes Meghan B. about Cowan Cove, capturing the primitive appeal.
What you should know
Fire permit requirements: Many sites have existing fire rings but still require permits. At Pleasant River, each site comes with "a picnic table and fire ring, with access to a clean latrine (with TP!)." Firewood is available for purchase at access gates.
Road conditions can be challenging: Many campgrounds are accessed via logging roads. A reviewer from Lazy Tom Bog Primitive Campsite notes: "Dirt road to get to the spot right after the bridge on the right for only 5 minutes at most."
Seasonal availability varies: Most primitive sites are open May through October, weather permitting. As Carol C. from Moose Creek RV Resort explains, "I went in mid Oct so there were no crowds but they had a beautiful pool that was closed."
Gate fees apply: Access to many wilderness areas requires payment. One camper at Pleasant River explains, "Located in the Maine North Woods, getting here is quite a journey... you have to pay to get through the gate at Katahdin Iron Works, pay a daily access fee, and daily camping fee."
Tips for camping with families
Look for campgrounds with playgrounds: Moosehead Family Campground offers recreation options close to town. "There is a playground for kids and plenty of room at each site for them to play," notes Dennis Q., who adds it's "the cleanest bathroom/shower house I've seen."
Consider guided activities: Some lodges offer structured programs for younger campers. At Medawisla Lodge, "guided hikes, fishing, kids activities (fee-based services)" are available according to one reviewer.
Pack warm clothing regardless of season: Even summer nights get cold. "The campground is heavily treed and gets pretty dark so a flashlight or headlamp is a good thing to bring along," advises Nancy W. about Lily Bay State Park.
Reserve waterfront sites early: The best family-friendly spots book quickly. "Reservations start early in the year online and waterfront sites sell out fast," warns J T. from Lily Bay State Park.
Tips from RVers
Check site length and access carefully: Moose Creek RV Resort offers modern amenities. "All campsites and roads are gravel with a mix of pull-thrus and back-ins... the only criticism we have is that a handful of sites are sloped and we would not be able to get our 45' motorhome level," notes Nancy W.
Consider water and dump station logistics: Most primitive sites lack hookups. At Moosehead Family Campground, "No sewer at any sites but there is a dump station and they offer a pump out service for $20," explains a reviewer who found the dump station difficult to access with a large rig.
Watch for low-hanging branches: Tree clearance can be an issue. As one RVer reported, "The roads were so tight that it would have been difficult for us to pull into it and our RV would have scrapped lots of trees."
Generator restrictions vary: Some campgrounds prohibit generators entirely while others have designated quiet hours. "Unfortunately, family in the neighboring site ran their generator from 8am-8pm. Please don't go to rustic campgrounds if you want electricity all day," notes one frustrated camper at Rowell Cove.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Frenchtown, ME?
What camping is available near Frenchtown, ME?
According to TheDyrt.com, Frenchtown, ME offers a wide range of camping options, with 113 campgrounds and RV parks near Frenchtown, ME and 7 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Frenchtown, ME?
Which is the most popular campground near Frenchtown, ME?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Frenchtown, ME is Dunn Point Campground — Lily Bay State Park with a 4.9-star rating from 19 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Frenchtown, ME?
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Frenchtown, ME?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 7 free dispersed camping spots near Frenchtown, ME.
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