Parks Pond Campground sits 20 miles from Hampden, Maine, with most glamping options located within a 40-minute drive. The region features mixed woodlands surrounding several bodies of water, including Branch Lake and Penobscot Bay. Winter temperatures typically drop below freezing from December through March, while summer averages 75-80°F with moderate humidity.
What to do
Kayaking on Branch Lake: Branch Lake Camping area offers waterfront sites where kayakers can launch directly from their campsite. "We sat our chairs in the water and cooled down everyday and floated on our noodles. Great relaxing place," notes a camper who enjoyed the 26.5-mile perimeter lake that reaches depths of 124 feet.
Hiking near Bangor: Paul Bunyan Campground provides access to nearby trails while being close to Bangor attractions. "Beautiful campground close to all the attractions," reports one visitor who used it as a base for regional exploration.
Wildlife viewing: Keep watch for local wildlife like eagles and loons. "We had loons come in close to our site. Saw an Eagle too," shares a Branch Lake camper who enjoyed the natural surroundings while staying at their waterfront site.
Beach access: Several glamping sites near Hampden offer beach areas for swimming. "There are boat docks for smaller boats and some floating docks you can swim out to and enjoy," mentions a Branch Lake visitor describing the water access options.
What campers like
Family-oriented activities: Bangor Holden KOA organizes regular events for families. "Lots of organized activities and great Bingo on Saturday night. We did the pancake breakfast for donation, crafts, and wagon ride during the day as well as enjoyed the well kept pool," explains one family who appreciated the structured entertainment.
Clean facilities: Campers consistently mention bathroom cleanliness as a key factor in positive reviews. "Quick walk to bathrooms & showers, which are very clean," notes one Bangor Holden KOA visitor who stayed during a busy Labor Day weekend.
Oceanfront experiences: Searsport Shores Ocean Campground offers direct ocean access for glamping close to Hampden. "We were there during high camping season/post Covid so it was very busy (especially the RV sites) but still very peaceful and quiet at night. The tent sites are completely separate from the RVs and are in the woods, beautifully maintained," shares a return visitor.
Arts programming: "It's also a treasure trove of arts of all kinds - fiber arts, metal sculptures, carvings, paintings, and music," explains a Searsport Shores camper who enjoyed the creative atmosphere during their stay.
What you should know
Site spacing varies: Most glamping sites near Hampden feature relatively close quarters. "Very nice, but expensive and very close quarters," notes a Paul Bunyan Campground visitor, while another camper at Pleasant Hill Campground mentions: "Sites are spacious! Connections are well placed and in good repair."
Cell service considerations: Mobile coverage can be spotty at some locations. "Only real disappointment was lack of cell coverage for AT&T and if you want internet you must buy a package," explains a Pleasant Hill camper who paid $69 for 30 days of internet access for three devices.
Seasonal options: Most glamping sites near Hampden operate from May through mid-October. "Campground is quiet, except for the planes overhead as it is located in the flight path for the local airport, but you soon tune this out," notes a Pleasant Hill visitor describing the ambient noise levels.
Reservation timing: For waterfront sites, advance booking is essential. "We pulled up at around 7:30pm and found most campers sitting out of their RV's enjoying the night," shares a Branch Lake visitor who was fortunate to secure a lakeside spot for their first camping experience.
Tips for camping with families
Pool access: Hadley's Point Campground offers a swimming pool that's popular with families. "The campground had a heated swimming pool. Best of all, the campground was on the Island Explorer bus route," mentions a family who stayed in one of the camping cabins.
Playground options: Multiple sites feature playground equipment for children. "The kids loved the playground and the ice cream window," shares a Bangor Holden KOA visitor who found plenty of activities to keep children entertained.
Cabin amenities: Family cabins typically include basic beds and sometimes private facilities. "The cabin contained a queen sized bed and a set of bunk beds. It also had a private bathroom with metered shower. 50 cents got you a hot, 7 minute shower, which was plenty of time!" explains a Hadley's Point visitor who found the cabin accommodations suitable for their family of four.
Activity planning: Several campgrounds organize regular family-friendly events. "That camping could be so easy and fun! This is my first time actually camping in a tent for fun... it's quiet here at night, and it's such a chill atmosphere," shares a Paul Bunyan visitor who extended their stay from one night to a week.
Tips from RVers
Leveling challenges: Some sites require additional effort to level RVs. "It was raining when we got here but our site was relatively level and we were ok until things dried up and we could finish leveling," notes a Pleasant Hill Campground RVer describing their arrival experience.
Dump station access: Cold River Campground and others offer sanitary dump stations, though reviews note that some sites have full hookup options including sewer connections. "Full hookup (sewer, water, 50 AMP)" mentions a Bangor Holden KOA visitor listing the available RV services.
Site privacy: RV sites often provide less privacy than tent areas. "Some tent sites have ocean views. The tents sites aren't accessible by car though, so you need to put all your camping equipment into a wagon and pull it to your site," explains a Searsport Shores visitor describing the different site configurations.
