RV campgrounds near Hinckley, Maine offer diverse camping experiences from May through October, with most sites closing mid-autumn due to Maine's seasonal climate. Situated between Skowhegan and Bangor, this central Maine region features rolling hills and river access with elevations ranging from 200-600 feet. The area experiences warm summer days with cool evenings, making campfire restrictions uncommon except during drought conditions.
What to do
Paddling opportunities: Augusta West Kampground provides lake access with complimentary watercraft. "Loved our site right on the water and access to the docks for fishing & kayaking! Kids caught many sunfish & had loads of fun!" writes Heather C. The campground allows guests to watch wildlife from the water: "Listened to the loons, watched Canadian Geese with their goslings and saw a bald eagle swoop down."
Local exploration: Downtown Belfast is accessible from coastal campgrounds and offers cultural attractions. "You are about fifteen minutes to downtown Bangor which has some good restaurants (we like Timber Kitchen and Bar and Blaze), a casino, and a large outdoor concert venue which has big name musical acts throughout the summer," notes a reviewer at Pumpkin Patch RV Resort.
Golf excursions: Fogg Brook Resort combines camping with golfing. "Rick (the owner) is very accommodating, plenty of full hookup sites and also another section with just W/E," reports Brian L. The resort maintains the course well even during busy periods: "The golf course was in Great shape. They had live music and lots of activities for all ages."
What campers like
Waterfront access: Two Rivers Campground offers sites directly on the Kennebec River. "Some of the RV sites are located parallel to the river so your patio is open to the river and you have an unobstructed water view," notes Nancy W. Another camper adds, "A small campground with big personality. Clean, quiet and great neighbors."
Free equipment use: Many campers appreciate campgrounds that provide complementary recreation equipment. "One of the nice features is that they offer free use of their canoes/kayaks/peddle boats. You reserve a 2-hour time slot, and they provide you with the paddles and life jackets," explains a reviewer at Two Rivers Campground.
Adult-oriented options: Pumpkin Patch RV Resort caters more to adults seeking peaceful surroundings. "This campground caters more to adults and does not have too much for kids to do. Most of the campers were seasonals whose campsites were well-kept and they were quiet," notes Rick G. who appreciates the "nice recreation room for rallies or large gatherings, a small outdoor game area, and a new dog exercise area."
What you should know
Seasonal restrictions: Most campgrounds operate from May through mid-October only. "This campground is in a great location to Camden and nearby towns. We loved taking the ferry to Vinalhaven Island for the day and picking up prepared food at the Market Basket and eating it along the Rockland Harbor waterfront watching the boats come and go," reports a visitor to Camden Hills RV Resort.
Site terrain variations: Be prepared for different ground conditions at each campground. "Our patio was a mix and sand and dirt which made for a mess in the RV and not a great place for our dog to lay in," notes a camper at Two Rivers Campground. At other locations, sites may be gravel, grass, or a combination.
Insect activity: Alderbrook Camp Site visitors warn about seasonal insect activity. "The only challenge is we stayed in July, and the horse flys were viscous. They were not by the campsite, but were abundant on the trails, and I literally had to run to get back to the camper to minimize the bites."
Tips for camping with families
Theme weeks: Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park organizes special events for children throughout the camping season. "Every week is themed. My family goes every year for magic pumpkin week which includes TRICK OR TREATING IN SEPTEMBER. My nieces and nephews love it!" reports Samantha N.
Pool facilities: Several campgrounds maintain swimming pools for children. At Fogg Brook Resort, "The pool is great and playground will keep the small ones busy. They have plenty of room for kids to enjoy their bikes," according to Judy M.
Fishing for kids: Several waterfront campgrounds offer fishing opportunities suitable for children. "Loved our site right on the water and access to the docks for fishing & kayaking! Kids caught many sunfish & had loads of fun!" notes a family staying at Augusta West Kampground.
Tips from RVers
Site selection for privacy: Request sites away from seasonal campers if privacy matters. "There is pretty good space between sites so you don't feel cramped or right on top of your neighbor. Most sites are level and there are long pull thrus so you don't have to unhitch if you are only staying one night," advises a Pumpkin Patch RV Resort visitor.
Tree navigation challenges: RVers with larger rigs should inquire about tree clearance. At some campgrounds, "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."
Utility connections: Check whether your preferred campground offers appropriate hookups for your rig size. Some campgrounds offer 50-amp service standard while others have 30-amp with limited 50-amp availability. Most campgrounds provide full hookups including sewer connections, but availability varies by site.