The Guilford area sits at approximately 358 feet of elevation in Piscataquis County, surrounded by Maine's North Woods region where dense forests meet numerous lakes and rivers. Summer temperatures typically range from 50-80°F with cooler nights, even in July and August. Most glamping sites in this region offer seasonal operation from May through October due to harsh winter conditions.
What to do
Hiking nearby trails: Peaks-Kenny State Park offers several hiking trails around Sebec Lake with varying difficulty levels. A visitor noted, "There are two hiking trails that are fun but lack a scenic view; one challenging, one easy." For more serious hikers, Borestone Mountain provides "stunning panoramic views" and is "an amazing nearby hike."
Fishing opportunities: Multiple lakes and rivers around Guilford provide excellent fishing. At Moosehead Family Campground, visitors can use the campground as a base for fishing excursions. One camper mentioned, "My wife and I went up during Columbus Day weekend for some fall fishing and leaf peeping."
ATV trail access: Many campgrounds in the area provide direct access to ATV trails. At The Evergreens Campground and Restaurant, you can "ride ATV trails, fish and swim in the Kennebec River, ride mountain bikes on the Kennebec rail trail." These multi-use trails connect much of the region.
What campers like
Clean facilities: Campgrounds in the region maintain clean bathhouses and facilities. At Wilderness Edge Campground, reviewers consistently mention the cleanliness: "Clean campground, clean bath house with laundry" and "Bathrooms are tidy with all the hot water a smelly tired pack of hikers could ask for."
Quiet atmosphere: Many campers appreciate the peaceful setting at Piscataquis Point. As one visitor described, "This was a very quiet and peaceful place but easily accessible from multiple directions and only like 20 mins from I-95. Sitting next to a warm, crackling fire listening to the sound of the river was truly the cherry on top."
Proximity to attractions: Campgrounds serve as convenient bases for exploring the region. Peaks-Kenny State Park provides "ample waterfront to share" and is "fairly close to town for food, groceries, and supplies." The park's beach area offers "a playground, cookout spots, and canoe rentals."
What you should know
Road noise: Some campgrounds experience traffic noise from nearby roads. At Moosehead Family Campground, "you will hear some road traffic," and at Magic Falls Adventures Campground, a camper noted, "It was also right off the highway so we heard trucks all night, but I found it pretty reasonable."
Site variability: Campsite quality and privacy vary significantly between and within campgrounds. At Wilderness Edge Campground, "the tent sites are a bit close together and barely deep enough to park a car." Similarly, at Magic Falls, "The sites are all pretty together in an open field, which was okay for us since we were the only ones there but might be hard if fully booked."
Weather considerations: The region experiences significant temperature drops at night, even in summer. Early and late season camping (May and September-October) can see frost. Rain gear is essential year-round, as precipitation is common and can change rapidly.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly activities: Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park at Yonder Hill offers numerous family-oriented activities. A visitor shared, "Grest place to go that is cheap, and gives the children an enjoyable weekend with fun activities such as the arcade, inground outdoor pool, playground, and the chance to feed the fish in the pond and ride bikes." Another mentioned there are "fun swimming pools and sooo many kid's activities."
Beach access: Several campgrounds provide beach access for families. Peaks-Kenny State Park features "a short walk down to the beach area which offers a playground, cookout spots, and canoe rentals." The park also has "a sandy beach, plenty of picnic tables and grills, group camping and day use areas."
Themed weekends: Some campgrounds offer special themed events for families. At Jellystone Park, "The themed weekends are a neat concept and enjoyable." These events typically include organized activities, games, and special programs designed for children of various ages.
Tips from RVers
Site placement: At Moosehead Family Campground, RV site placement can be challenging. A reviewer 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."
Hookup considerations: Hookup locations vary between campgrounds and even within the same facility. At Paul Bunyan Campground, sites are described as "easy sites to get into" with full hookups available, but some reviewers mentioned they are "very close quarters."
Dump station access: Not all glamping locations close to Guilford, Maine offer sewer hookups. At Wilderness Edge Campground, a reviewer commented about the dump station: "We contemplated using the dump station but the roads were so tight that it would have been difficult for us to pull into it and our RV would have scrapped lots of trees."
