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!!!
Tent Camping near Frenchtown, ME
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Tent campsites scattered throughout the forested areas near Frenchtown, Maine offer primitive camping experiences with varying levels of access and amenities. AMC Medawisla Lodge and Cabins provides walk-in tent sites on Second Roach Pond, while Rum Pond Campsite offers secluded tent camping along the Blue Ridge Trail system. Little Moose Pond and Big Moose Pond campsites within the Little Moose Public Lands provide free primitive tent camping accessed via short hiking trails from designated trailheads.
Most primitive tent sites in the region require campers to bring their own drinking water or use filtration systems, as potable water is rarely available. Fire permits are mandatory before starting campfires, with permits obtained by calling 207-695-3721. Many walk-in tent campgrounds provide basic amenities including picnic tables, stone fire rings, and primitive toilet facilities described by one camper as "essentially a toilet seat on a wooden box with chicken wire around it." Access roads to remote tent camping areas can be challenging, with several requiring high-clearance vehicles. The Upper Gravel Pit dispersed camping area features bumpy gravel roads leading to open campsites with minimal facilities.
Tent campers seeking solitude will find the region's backcountry sites particularly rewarding. A recent review noted that "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." Many tent-only sites are positioned along ponds or streams, providing opportunities for fishing, swimming, and wildlife observation. The Little Moose Public Lands area contains multiple primitive tent sites accessible via well-marked trails, making them ideal for hikers looking to camp near water. Campsites typically remain available on a first-come, first-served basis with 14-day maximum stays. During peak summer months, sites near Baxter State Park and other popular areas fill quickly, while more remote walk-in tent sites often remain available even on weekends.
Best Tent Campgrounds near Frenchtown (38)
1. 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 Availability2. Shallow Bay
"This was the first campsite along our Maine North Woods canoe adventure – about 4 miles from the Lobster Launch."
from $24 / night
Check Availability3. Rum Pond Campsite
"This primitive campsite is located at Rum Pond approximately nine miles to the east of downtown Greenville. The road from Greenville is paved part of the way and then turns to gravel. "
4. Big Pleasant Pond
"PP#1 is the better of the two, located right on the water, though the access is a little trickier than PP#2’s wide open area."
from $25 - $30 / night
Check Availability5. Katahdin Stream Campground — Baxter State Park
"It offers a few spots for small RV’s, tent sites, lean-tos, and a few camping cabins, each with a picnic table and fire ring. Our site even had a sheltered area over the picnic table."
"The primitive sites are either AT style leantos or tent sites. Each site has a fire ring and picnic table. There is NO potable water, electricity, showers or cell/internet service in the Park."
6. Little Moose Pond Campsite
"Just outside of Greenville is the Little Moose Pond Public Lands. This campsite is one of five primitive campsites located in the tract."
7. Upper Gravel Pit - Dispersed
"Great spot is you don't mind dry camping. Amazing views of the surrounding mountains. There are two sites and plenty of space between them."
8. Johnston Pond in KIJO Mary Forest
"There are 5 campsites near Johnston Pond in the KI-JO-Mary multiuse forest."
from $25 - $30 / night
9. Big Moose Pond Campsite
"There are actually two campsites at this location. The campsites are well-marked so follow the signs directing you off the trail a short distance to the site."
10. Abol Campground — Baxter State Park
"Though not open during the off season, this Baxter State Park campground offers tent sites and lean-tos, each with a picnic table and fire ring. There are no sites for RV's here."
"There is NO electricity, no showers, no grocery store, inside Baxter State Park. Those are available at the similarly named Abol Campground and General Store which neighbors Baxter State Park."
from $32 / night
Check Availability
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 Tent Camping Photos near Frenchtown, ME
43 Photos of 38 Frenchtown Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Shallow Bay
Upper Gravel Pit - Dispersed
Northeast Whitewater Lodge
Omaha BeachA
Katahdin Stream Campground — Baxter State Park
Pine Stream Campsite on the W. Penobscot River
Abol Campground — Baxter State Park
Nesowadnehunk Field Campground — Baxter State ParkP
Soul Retrieve-HillH
Roaring Brook Campground — Baxter State Park
Magic Falls Adventures Campground
Attean Falls
Tent Camping Reviews near Frenchtown, ME
209 Reviews of 38 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.
- 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
- PPortia H.Guide
Nesowadnehunk Field Campground — Baxter State Park
Nesowadnahunk Campground
This is a spread out campground! The leantos tend to be back in treed areas. Tent sites are more exposed but because the fields are huge, no worries. This is primitive camping so no potable water, no electric, no cell service, no camp store. It is so quiet at night and perfect for stargazing as there is no light interference. There are many trails and a beautiful climb up Double Top Mountain. Get water from the stream. Pit toilets are kept immaculate. There are two huge group camp sites right on the stream and have shelters. The Ledges are an easy walk if you want to swim/cool off.
Sandra L.
RangerWilderness Edge Campground
Beware this campground reverted to prior owner.
I stayed here for 3 full seasons when it was managed by the Shamps, as an incorporation.However they stopped the purchase and now it's being managed by original owners. The same owners who refused to allow inspectors onto the property, had sub par facilities and trespassed employees. Yet, the shamps upgraded the roads, bathrooms, showers, and all plumbing. So the place looks nicer than ever, although still fails some inspection line items. There is black mold in the tent side bathhouse, the touletstalls are smaller than legal size, and all the sites are laid out with the posts on the wrong side,( so bring extra power corda) or you must setup facing the road, not the woods. Also be aware there is NO Lake or rivers on this campground, the website is deceiving. Yes you can rent canoe or kayaks, but you also need to have a car/truck to take them to water. The camp is pet friendly, ATV friendly, and lots of ATV trails nearby. There is no ADA accessable toilets anywhere, but there are some larger showers, just no bars/railings, or accessable sprayers on the shower. The one that was there, , has been used as a maintence closet for at least 4 years,and gas unusable toilet . The laundry machines are good,for small loads. 1 washer- 1 dryer. Stayed April thru October for 3 years. I will NOT return under this owner, and do not recommend this place anymore.
Guide to Frenchtown
Dispersed camping near Frenchtown, Maine offers primitive backcountry experiences across a region with elevations ranging from 1,000 to 3,500 feet. The area's numerous ponds and mountain trails provide secluded camping options with limited amenities in a region known for its cold water lakes and dense northern forest. Water temperatures in most ponds remain cool even during summer months, rarely exceeding 70°F at the surface.
What to do
Paddle remote ponds: AMC Medawisla Lodge and Cabins provides access to Second Roach Pond where visitors can bring their own watercraft. "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 camper Roger F.
Explore wilderness trails: The Little Moose Public Lands contain multiple trail networks with minimal elevation change. At Rum Pond Campsite, "the Rum Pond loop trail is approximately 4.3 miles round-trip and definitely worth a hike. We saw massive amounts of moose droppings along the trail near Cranberry Pond and did see a large bull moose at the small pond," according to Nancy W.
Summit Mount Katahdin: Many campers use the region as a base for climbing Maine's highest peak. "You can start the 8 to 12-hour round trip to the summit of Mt. Katahdin from this campground, as it sits right at the base of the mountain. Or, you can choose from a variety of other trail options if a 4000 ft elevation gain isn't your thing," writes Shari G. about camping options in the area.
What campers like
Clear water swimming: The ponds throughout the region feature clean, cool water. At Shallow Bay, "It's a gorgeous campsite along the sandy shores of Lobster Lake, with plenty of room for a group of 8-10 people. Very easy access to the water for swimming, hauling gear up, etc," according to Shari G.
Wildlife sightings: The remote nature of tent camping in this region increases chances for animal encounters. Nancy W. reports from Big Moose Pond Campsite: "The beautiful campsites sit along the bank of Big Moose Pond in a nicely wooded and shaded area with plenty of room for tents. There are lots of trail in Little Moose Public Lands tract."
Rustic cooking options: Many sites have basic cooking facilities. "The campsite is a nice, large, cleared area surrounded by trees and with a nice wide access point to the pond. There is a nice large stone fire pit and a couple of hand-made tables which are helpful for preparing food, fish cleaning, etc. There are a couple of wire grates you can put over fire for cooking," notes Nancy W. about the Rum Pond facilities.
What you should know
Limited road access: Many camping areas require driving on unmaintained roads. At Upper Gravel Pit, "The road to the pit is gravel and bumpy but you don't need a 4-wheel drive or high clearance vehicle. The short road up to the camping area is quite steep with somewhat loose rocks," according to Nancy W.
Seasonal considerations: Maine's short summer season affects camping conditions. "2020, won't open until at least July. In 2019, it didn't open until late May because of a wet spring and trails were closed until mid-June because of snow cover on the trails," notes Jean C. about regional camping areas.
Payment systems: Some areas require cash payment at checkpoints. "You'll need to pay with cash or check. Fees are higher for out of state campers; rates are based off Maine minimum wage and campers pay both a day use and a camping fee per person, so the sites are not inexpensive," explains Jean C. about the KI-JO Mary forest camping system.
Tips for camping with families
Easy access sites for children: Choose locations with short hiking distances for young campers. "The Big Moose Pond campsite is located approximately 0.45 miles from the Little Moose Ponds Trailhead. The trail leading to the campsite starts with a downhill trek (of about 150 feet) before becoming relatively flat and an easy walk to the campsite," suggests Nancy W.
Activity options: Johnston Pond in KIJO Mary Forest offers diverse recreation. "I enjoyed paddling my kayak in the pond. Continue past the campsite area and you'll see a turnoff at the far end of the pond that takes you to the sandy beach/boat launch area. There were loons on the clear pond and also native trout," notes Jean C.
Food preparation: Plan meals carefully as food options are limited. "Your last stop for food and gas is in Millinocket, so be sure to stock up before you make your way to the park. Millinocket is about 18 miles from the main entrance to Baxter State Park," advises Shari G.
Tips from RVers
Size restrictions: Large vehicles face limitations in this region. "Vehicle restrictions: single vehicle less than 28' or combined vehicle+ trailer less than 44'. Other restrictions include no bicycle, motorcycles, ATVs, or horses," explains Jean C. about camping at Big Pleasant Pond.
Dump station locations: Plan for waste disposal before arriving. "There are no utilities, potable water, restroom, or garbage facilities so bring the water your need and carry out your trash. There is a dump station at the nearby Moosehead Family Campground," notes Nancy W. about dispersed camping options.
Local supply options: Limited supplies can be found at certain locations. "Downtown Greenville is a great little mountain town. If you are looking for great pizza, check out Jamo's and the Dockside has good food and a fun waterfront bar. Northwoods Outfitters in town is a great store with a great selection of outdoor gear," recommends Nancy W.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Which is the most popular tent campsite near Frenchtown, ME?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Frenchtown, ME is AMC Medawisla Lodge and Cabins with a 5-star rating from 1 review.
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What is the best site to find tent camping near Frenchtown, ME?
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