Camping near Greenville, Maine centers around Moosehead Lake, the largest mountain lake in the eastern United States, spanning over 40 miles with 400 miles of shoreline. The region sits at approximately 1,000 feet elevation, with temperatures ranging from 70-80°F in summer to below freezing in spring and fall. Campgrounds typically open from late May through mid-October, with most primitive sites requiring fire permits from the Maine Forest Service.
What to do
Fly fishing opportunities: Multiple ponds and streams near Greenville offer brook trout fishing. "The best thing about camping here is the easy access to the great hiking in Little Moose Public Lands," notes a visitor to Upper Gravel Pit, also mentioning that the "Little Moose Pond Trail [offers] a decent hike but not too much elevation change (approximately 4.3 miles and 650 feet of elevation change)."
Canoe and kayak access: Many campsites provide direct water access. A camper at Little Moose Pond Campsite reports, "A couple of canoes are stashed at the campsite and we were not sure who owns them but one was unlocked and there were two paddles propped against a tree." The site's location "on the north side of the pond so the morning sunshine greets you and the sunset lights up the southern hillside in the evening."
ATV trail exploration: Several campgrounds connect directly to regional trail systems. At Balsam Woods Campground, "The campground has access to over 1000 miles of trails, which are designed for ATV's. They even have an ATV washing station." For those without equipment, "We did not use the ATV trails that are directly off the campground, but they were great! We did, however, rent an ATV from Northwoods Outfitters in Greenville (just 20 minutes away) and it was our favorite activity yet!"
What campers like
Waterfront access: Many campers appreciate sites with direct shoreline access. At Rowell Cove Campground, "Site 16 on the water you can launch your kayak from the site." Another visitor notes, "The sites are beautifully arranged along the cove, with almost every outside site with water access. Not as private due to the terrain (trees are less dense in the waters edge) but nonetheless a gorgeous place to camp. Put kayaks in right from the campsite."
Wildlife viewing: The region offers abundant wildlife observation opportunities. At Rum Pond, a visitor reports, "We saw massive amounts of moose droppings along the trail near Cranberry Pond and did see a large bull moose at the small pond just off to the right-hand side as you enter Rum Pond Road from Ki Road." The pond itself is "approximately 250 acres in size and is a great backdrop for this campsite."
Off-season peace: Fall camping provides special experiences with fewer crowds. At Moosehead Family Campground, a visitor describes their experience: "Was here in the fall. Campground was quiet and there were no crowds for the bathroom. Very enjoyable." Another camper at Rowell Cove notes the "Amazing clear water lake. 3 to 1 moose to human ratio, and abundant nearly tame birds and furry creatures. Haunting loon calls in the evening."
What you should know
Fire permit requirements: Most primitive sites require fire permits. At Big Moose Pond Campsite, "You need to call 207-695-3721 to see if you can obtain a permit before starting a fire." The campsite provides "a large picnic table and fire pit with cooking grate and paths leading down to the pond."
Trail conditions: Access roads to primitive sites can be challenging. For 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." Similarly, at Rowell Cove, a visitor notes "a little rough bit of drive down dirt roads but totally worth it!!"
Bathroom facilities: Toilet availability varies significantly between sites. At Little Moose Pond, "The toilet is essentially a toilet seat on a wooden box so there is no privacy but it is tucked away from the trail and campsite enough that it can't be seen." In contrast, at Moose Creek RV Resort, "The bathhouse (which was spotless) has six individual rooms with toilets and shower and two are ADA accessible."
Tips for camping with families
Developed campgrounds for amenities: Families often prefer sites with more facilities. Balsam Woods offers "a nice pool, clean showers, and access to trails around." Another visitor highlights that it's "great for kids" with a "great big playground, basketball court, volleyball net, arcade, ice cream, outdoor projector for Saturday night movie."
Water activities for children: Lakes and ponds provide natural entertainment. At Moose Creek RV Resort, families appreciate "a large 25 x 90' heated swimming pool, 3.5-acre stocked fishing pond with kayaks/paddleboats/canoes." Another visitor adds that "the amenities are all brand new and beautiful, including the pool side bar."
Playground availability: Several campgrounds offer dedicated play areas. At Lily Bay State Park, a visitor mentions "There is a beach and a playground. A clean shower and flush toilet facility." Moosehead Family Campground similarly offers "playground for the kiddos."
Tips from RVers
Site selection considerations: Choose sites based on your rig size and leveling needs. At Moose Creek RV Resort, "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, luckily our site (#10) was perfectly level. Our favorite sites are 10 and 17–26 which are back-ins with privacy behind you and nice separation between sites."
Power options: Generator policies vary between campgrounds. At Moosehead Family Campground, one visitor complained that a "family in the neighboring site ran their generator from 8am-8pm. Please don't go to rustic campgrounds if you want electricity all day." For full hookups, Moose Creek RV Resort offers "all campsites and roads are gravel with a mix of pull-thrus and back-ins. All sites have a nice picnic table, large gravel patio and well-placed water/sewer/electric hook-up."
Road navigation challenges: Some campgrounds have tight access roads. At Moosehead Family Campground, an RVer with a 45' motorhome noted, "The campground has lots of large trees and narrow roads which make it very difficult for big rigs. In fact, there was only one of two sites in the front section that would fit our 45' motorhome. The back section of the park was way too tight for us to navigate."
