Campgrounds near Gorham, Maine offer year-round camping options with varied terrain across seasonal schedules. Most campgrounds operate from May through October, with winter camping limited to Sebago Lake State Park. The region transitions from inland forest areas to coastal settings within a 20-mile radius, with temperatures ranging from 75-85°F in summer and dropping to 40-50°F in spring and fall nights.
What to do
Kayaking at marshes and inlets: Wassamki Springs Campground features a pond for fishing, swimming and boating with sandy entrances. "The park is very spacious with a nice large pond that you can fish, swim, or boat in," notes one visitor who appreciated the multiple recreational opportunities.
Biking nearby trails: Sandy Pines Campground provides access to excellent biking opportunities. "For those so inclined, there is great mountain biking either through the Tyler Preserve down to Cape Porpoise or North through the Emmitt Smith Preserve," shares a camper who enjoyed exploring the area.
Visit working farms: Wolfe's Neck Oceanfront Campground combines camping with agricultural experiences. "My son loved the working farm. Close hiking trails. Definitely will be back," reports one visitor. Another camper adds, "We loved that there is a farm cafe on site with local food."
Beach access with shuttle service: Seasonal shuttle services eliminate parking headaches at popular beaches. "The best thing is there is a trolley that takes you from the campground to the beach so you don't have to deal with parking," says a visitor to Old Orchard Beach Campground.
What campers like
Adult-only areas: Wild Duck Adult Campground offers a quieter experience without children. "This adult only campground is peaceful and quiet, with the sounds of birds and the trees being the main thing you hear - it is quite relaxing," reports one camper who appreciated the atmosphere.
Multiple swimming options: Bayley's Camping Resort features several pool areas separated by age groups. "There is a kids pool and a pool for the adults only w/bar. A pond for fishing, there are kayaks etc... Shower throughout and I might add very clean," notes a visitor who enjoyed the variety.
Clean facilities: Campground cleanliness receives consistent praise across the region. "The bathrooms were very clean. The campground was adorable," remarks a visitor to Winslow Park and Campground. Another camper at Paradise Park Resort mentions "Great campground, it is walking distance to Old Orchard beach and has large sites. Many family activities including fishing, 2 pools, a dog park, and a snack shack."
Winter proximity to Portland: Some campers value locations that offer easy access to Portland's amenities while still feeling remote. "Close to the city of Portland, about 20 minutes, but tucked away in the beautiful riverside marsh," notes a visitor to Wild Duck Adult Campground.
What you should know
Mosquito preparation required: Many campgrounds near marshes experience significant mosquito activity. "The only negative of this place was the mosquitoes. They were TERRIBLE. In the time it took after we parked the camper, to when I could dig the bug spray out of our truck I was covered in bites," warns a Wild Duck visitor.
Site privacy varies widely: Sebago Lake State Park Campground offers wooded sites with minimal separation. "The campsites definitely felt like they were on top of each other and are pretty small. We picked a medium one and could barely fit 2 tents and 2 cars with a safe distance from the fire," reports a camper who struggled with the limited space.
Seasonal crowds and availability: Peak season at coastal campgrounds runs from late June through August, requiring advance planning. "We were able to walk up and get a site that day but they said that late June you need to schedule your stay in advanced," notes a visitor to Paradise Park Resort.
Internet connectivity limitations: Cell service and Wi-Fi vary significantly between locations. "Phone and internet service were not very good at all. We have Verizon and were barely able to use it. And their Wi-Fi was basically useless," shares a camper at Wassamki Springs Campground.
Tips for camping with families
Look for shuttle services: Old Orchard Beach Campground provides convenient transportation to nearby attractions. "Old Orchard Beach is a fun, family-oriented campground located in the fun little beach town of Old Orchard Beach... And the best thing is there is a trolley that takes you from the campground to the beach so you don't have to deal with parking."
Select campgrounds with planned activities: Some locations offer organized entertainment for children. "Paradise Park is a family friendly campground that is a short shuttle ride (offered by the staff) or drive to the amusements and boardwalk at Old Orchard Beach. The pond is great for fishing but not swimming. There is a pool and small playground. The streets are flat for the kids to bike. They offer fun dances with kid games at night," shares a parent.
Consider tent site locations carefully: Tent areas may lack shade in some campgrounds. "The most significant con was that this campground is truly only for RV camping. Us tent campers were on sites with zero trees. It almost felt as if they were trying to dissuade tent campers from coming here," warns a Sandy Pines Campground visitor.
Check for swimming options: Not all water features are suitable for swimming. "The pond is great for fishing but not swimming," notes a Paradise Park visitor, highlighting the importance of verifying recreational options before booking.
Tips from RVers
Site surface considerations: Many campgrounds feature gravel or dirt sites that can become problematic in wet weather. "All of the sites were just dirt which is not a huge deal but it can obviously get messy, especially when it rains," reports a camper at Wassamki Springs Campground.
Cable and utility hookups vary: Sun Outdoors Saco Old Orchard Beach offers different types of RV accommodations. "There are a myriad of sites including rustic tent, cabins, and full hook-up RV sites that accommodate the largest of RV's. Wifi and cable are available and sites have picnic tables and fire pits," notes one camper.
Consider generator restrictions: Some campgrounds limit generator usage hours. "There are no hookups and fairly strict generator hours," reports a visitor to Winslow Park Campground, an important consideration for those relying on power.
Premium locations command higher rates: Waterfront or premium sites cost significantly more but provide better experiences. "We ended up needing to complain to the office due to drunk loud idiots at the site next to us the other was- the owner absolutely cared, he offered us a new site and even sent workers to help us move camp," shares a camper who initially selected a less desirable location.
