Tent camping options around Gorham, Maine span diverse terrains from sandy coastlines to pine forests within 25 miles of town. Most campgrounds operate seasonally from May through October, with peak crowds in July and August. Sites typically range from $25-45 per night for basic tent accommodations, with higher rates during summer weekends and holidays.
What to do
Water activities at Salmon Falls River RV Resort: Located 30 minutes southwest of Gorham, this family-friendly destination offers multiple swimming options. "If you have young kids this place is so fun! Multiple pools, a water slide, high ropes, a jump pad, mini golf and more!!!" writes Samantha N. The resort includes a lazy river particularly appealing during hot summer days.
Hiking at Paugus Brook Farm: This small tent camping area provides convenient access to Mount Chocorua trails. "The location is a great place to either explore the immediate area (Mount Chocorua and Chocorua Lake) or head further north to Conway and North Conway)," notes Justin P. The campground serves as an excellent base for day hikes with five spacious tent sites.
River adventures from Swans Falls Campground: This established riverside campground offers direct Saco River access. "Small beach/canoe put in at river was nice," reports camper K R. The campground serves as a popular launch point for kayaking and canoeing trips, with rentals available nearby in Fryeburg. Weekends tend to be busy with day-use paddlers.
What campers like
Spacious sites at Hemlocks Campground: This West Poland campground features generously sized sites suitable for tents and RVs. The lakeside location provides opportunities for fishing and swimming. Full hookup sites accommodate both tent campers and RVers, with clean facilities maintained throughout the season.
Family activities at Salmon Falls River RV Resort and Family Campground: Campers appreciate the variety of entertainment options. "A little of everything at this campground, 2 pools 2 hot tubes, a giant water slide that is even fun for the adults!!! Campsites are level and site is fairly easy to maneuver with bigger rigs," shares Aaron G. The resort organizes daily activities for children throughout summer.
Natural surroundings at Swans Falls Campground: Visitors enjoy the peaceful wooded environment. "It's in a nice, open pine forest and there is a beautiful walking trail by the Saco River," writes Charles P. The campground's location provides a balance of natural beauty and access to outdoor activities, particularly appealing for midweek stays when crowds thin.
What you should know
Seasonal variations at Sun Outdoors Saco Old Orchard Beach: This campground operates from May 1 to October 15, with dramatically different experiences depending on timing. "We tent camped at Saco/Old Orchard Beach KOA. The staff was very friendly and when I called to book the site, they assisted in helping us pick out the nicest campsite," notes Ben P. Sites near the wooded edges provide more privacy than central locations.
Site selection matters: Many campgrounds near Gorham feature varied site types within the same facility. Look for sites along property edges for greater seclusion. At Swans Falls, K R. advises, "Some sites are right on top of the Fryeberg fairgrounds, was glad we didn't have those."
Transportation considerations: Several campgrounds offer shuttle services during summer months. Sun Outdoors Saco provides beach transportation, with one camper noting, "Great location trolley will pick you up from the campground and take you to Old Orchard Beach." This eliminates parking concerns during peak tourist season.
Tips for camping with families
Amenity access at Huttopia Southern Maine: This campground balances nature with comfort. "Grounds are manicured and aimed to be family friendly," writes A.C. The property features 107 sites with a mix of tent camping and glamping options, operating from Mother's Day through Columbus Day.
Bathroom facilities: Clean restrooms rank highly in family camping satisfaction. At Sun Outdoors Saco, Brittany M. reports, "The bathrooms were the cleanest I've seen camping and the staff was incredibly friendly!" Similarly, Erin M. notes, "The staff was friendly, the bathrooms and grounds were very clean, activities were fun, the playground/pool was nice."
Food options: Many campgrounds offer on-site food options, reducing meal preparation stress. Nancy W. describes her experience: "One of the nice features was the on-site restaurant which claims to be famous for their 'blueberry pancakes' and also offers Belgian waffles, pizza, hamburgers, and hot dogs."
Tips from RVers
Site accommodations at Mac's Camping Area: This Poland campground provides 30 sites with lake access. "Mac's camping has large RV Sites with access to their private beach and boat launch!" reports Jake C. The campground accommodates both tent campers and RVers seeking water activities.
Utility connections: Most RV-friendly campgrounds near Gorham offer electric hookups and water connections, with some providing sewer hookups at premium sites. Range Pond Campground features electric, water, and sewer connections for self-contained units but lacks shower facilities, making it better suited for fully equipped RVs.
Navigating campground roads: Not all campgrounds accommodate larger RVs. Michelle D. advises about Sun Outdoors Saco, "Drive in close to camp as well," referring to the well-designed access roads. When booking, confirm maximum RV length restrictions, as several campgrounds like Saco Bound and Webbs Mills Stead are primarily designed for tent camping with limited RV access.
