Campgrounds near Hallowell, Maine range from lakeside resorts to woodland retreats within 25 miles of the state capital. Summer temperatures average 70-80°F during peak camping season from May through September, with frequent evening temperature drops of 15-20 degrees. Cell service varies across the region, with stronger signals in coastal areas than in forested campgrounds west of Hallowell.
What to do
Kayaking on nearby lakes: At Augusta West Kampground in Winthrop, water recreation takes center stage. "Loved our site right on the water and access to the docks for fishing & kayaking! Kids caught many sunfish & had loads of fun!" reports Heather C. The campground provides easy water access with several boat rental options.
Hiking local trails: Many campers use Shore Hills Campground as a base for exploring nearby nature preserves. "Nearby is the Ovens Mouth Preserve which has great hiking and nice water views and is just one of many nature preserves in the area which all are very nice, well-marked, well-maintained, and dog-friendly," according to Nancy W.
Brewery visits: Boothbay Craft Brewery & RV Resort combines camping with craft beer tasting. "The brewery is really cool, and the wood fired pizza is some of my favorite. The folks who run this place are really friendly and accommodating," notes Joe R. The brewery serves as both accommodation and entertainment for campers seeking adult-focused activities.
What campers like
Lake access for fishing: Waterfront sites rank among the most requested rv sites near Hallowell, Maine. "This a beautiful spot, right on the Lake, listened to the loons, watched Canadian Geese with their goslings and saw a bald eagle swoop down," writes Michi P. about Augusta West Kampground.
Family-friendly recreation: Jellystone Park Androscoggin Lake offers extensive activities for families. "Amazing campground. Has a lot of stuff for kids including playground, pool, water slides, canoeing, kayaking, mini golf and disc golf. Great sites and plenty of them," shares Peter F. The campground provides scheduled activities throughout summer weekends.
Well-maintained facilities: Campground upkeep receives positive mentions across multiple reviews. "The bathrooms and showers were always clean. Plenty of activities. There is a beautiful nature trail along the stream!" notes Dawn about Martin Stream Campground. Campers consistently mention clean bathroom facilities as a key factor in their positive experiences.
What you should know
Site spacing varies significantly: Some campgrounds near Hallowell offer more privacy than others. "Shore Hills has a wide variety of sites that can accommodate everything from the biggest size RV to tents. The great thing about this campground is that there is a such a large selection of sites that you pretty much can get what you want," explains Nancy W.
Seasonal variations in availability: Most campgrounds in the region operate from mid-May through early October, with limited availability outside these dates. Campsites with water views book fastest, often 3-6 months in advance for summer weekends.
Tidal considerations: For waterfront camping, understand how tides affect water access. "The river is tidal and so unless you want to wade threw mud there is not access beyond a couple hours around high tide," explains Rachel S. from Martin Stream Campground.
Tips for camping with families
Recreational options: Look for campgrounds with diverse activities. "For parents; live entertainment with local bands on Saturday nights, an adult only swim nightly. (Playground is close enough to the pool to actually enjoy this while listening to my kids play), candy bar bingo (where you can play bingo WITH your kids and was quite fun)," recommends Angela M. about Jellystone Park Androscoggin Lake.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Several campgrounds offer wildlife watching that kids enjoy. "Loved waking up to the sounds of the loons & even spotted a bald eagle!" reports Heather C. Morning hours typically offer the best wildlife viewing around lake campgrounds.
Kid-friendly amenities: Choose campgrounds with dedicated children's areas. "There was plenty of walking to do, a playground, and lots of marsh area to explore with snails and horseshoe crabs around," shares Anna W. about Thomas Point Beach and Campground.
Tips from RVers
Extension cord needs: Some RV sites near Hallowell have unusual electrical setups. "The electrical hook ups are like 1 box for every 10 camping spots so they r kinda far away so make sure u have an extension cord of some sort," advises Shannon M. about Thomas Point Beach.
Big rig accessibility: RV size limitations vary by campground. "We stayed in the 'new sites' adjacent to the entrance road; it was a long nice site with gravel but was not private. Most sites are packed in; close to others with not a lot of privacy," notes Quinn G. about Augusta West Kampground.
Tree clearance issues: Forested campgrounds may present navigation challenges. "Lots of tall pine trees provide shade but also make it a little difficult to navigate the roads. We had to go pretty slow to avoid hitting tree branches. Parking under the pines also meant a lot of sap on our roof which was a bear to remove," cautions Nancy W. about Camden Hills RV Resort.