Camping options near Greenville, Maine include both established campgrounds and primitive sites spread across the North Woods region where elevations range from 1,028 feet at Moosehead Lake to over 1,800 feet on nearby mountains. The area typically receives 40-50 inches of annual snowfall, with winter temperatures regularly dropping below zero, while summer camping conditions feature daytime highs averaging 75-80°F in July and August.
What to do
Hiking accessible trails: Little Moose Public Lands offers multiple trail options with varying difficulty levels, including the Little Moose Pond Trail with its modest 650-foot elevation change. "The Little Moose Ponds Loop Trail is about 4.3 miles with an elevation change of 646 feet and lots of beautiful scenic views of the ponds and surrounding mountains. The best views are from Big Moose Mountain which is a climb of 1,800'," notes Nancy W.
Paddling on calm waters: Launch kayaks or canoes directly from waterfront campsites at Rowell Cove Campground. "We spent two nights st Lily Bay, on the Rowell Cove side of the park. The sites are beautifully arranged along the cove, with almost every outside site with water access... Put kayaks in right from the campsite," shares Alexis K. Many waterfront sites allow direct water access without having to transport equipment.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: The logging roads north of Greenville provide excellent moose watching opportunities, particularly around dawn and dusk. "We 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," reports Nancy W. Fall visitors often spot deer, fox, grouse, turkey, blue herons and various duck species throughout the region.
What campers like
Direct water access: Waterfront sites at Lily Bay State Park provide immediate lake access. "Lakefront, beautiful and remote. Great area for moose viewing and kayaking," writes Amy S. Many campers appreciate the combination of wooded privacy with water views, especially during sunrise and sunset.
Centralized facilities: Lily Bay State Park offers well-maintained shared facilities. "A centrally located, and clean bath house with flush toilets, warm individual-use shower rooms, and a great dishwashing sink is a recent addition to this large facility," notes Shari G., though she mentions the 10-15 minute walk from distant campsites means "most people get in their vehicles just to take a shower or wash dishes."
Peaceful atmosphere: During off-peak times, campers report exceptional quiet. "We enjoy our weeks on Moosehead Lake. Lily Bay Campground has spacious and wooded. The staff is very helpful and friendly," shares Celeste C. September and early October visitors often experience near-empty campgrounds while still enjoying reasonable temperatures and stunning fall foliage.
What you should know
Primitive site considerations: When staying at Rum Pond Campsite, understand the access limitations. "The campsite is located about .75 miles from the parking lot along the Rum Pond Loop which is part of the larger Blue Ridge Trail system... You are allowed to collect downed wood for fires but most of it is wet and unseasoned," explains Nancy W. All primitive sites require fire permits (call 207-695-3721).
Seasonal timing matters: Fall visitors often find more availability but with cooler nights. "We did like the proximity of this campground to downtown Greenville. The area is beautiful with great hiking, boating, and fishing," mentions Nancy W., who visited in September. Summer reservations at waterfront sites fill quickly, with some campers booking months in advance.
Road access variations: Many dispersed sites require vehicles that can handle rougher terrain. "There are two fire pits but plenty of room for more than two campers... 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," notes Nancy W. about Upper Gravel Pit.
Tips for camping with families
Entertainment options: Spacious Skies Balsam Woods offers numerous family-friendly amenities. "This gampground has the access to snowmobile trail in the winter as well as the ATV trails. It has it's own parking lot for your atvs. Their is a inground outdoor heated pool, a great big playground, basketball court, volleyball net, arcade, ice cream, outdoor projector for Saturday night movie," reports Brianna M.
Dog-friendly amenities: Most dog friendly campgrounds near Greenville provide adequate space between sites. "We had a tent site that had tons of room. Camp store was great. Camp is just outside of Greenville so it's super easy to go into town if you forgot anything," shares Matthew H. about Moosehead Family Campground. Pets should remain leashed at established campgrounds due to wildlife presence.
Water safety planning: For families camping near water, select sites with appropriate water access. "Site 16 on the water you can launch your kayak from the site," notes a reviewer about Rowell Cove, though they caution about potential noise from neighboring campers. Waterfront sites with gradual entry points work best for families with small children.
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: At Moose Creek RV Resort, premium sites offer more privacy. "Our favorite sites are 10 and 17–26 which are back-ins with privacy behind you and nice separation between sites," advises Nancy W. The campground opened in 2022 with modern amenities including a heated swimming pool and well-designed sites.
Leveling considerations: Pay attention to site grades when making reservations. "The only critism 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," notes Nancy W. Many established campgrounds can accommodate large RVs but may require additional leveling blocks.
Dump station logistics: Plan dump station usage strategically to avoid waits. "There is only one sewer outlet so it gets pretty busy when there are a lot of check-outs on Sunday morning so you may have a bit of a wait to dump," warns Nancy W. Some campgrounds offer pump-out service for an additional fee, which can save time during peak periods.
Legend
