Dog-Friendly Camping near Holden, ME

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    Bangor Holden KOA accommodates pets at both tent and RV sites, as well as in select cabins throughout the property. Pets are welcome across all accommodation types, including tent spaces, RV hookup sites, cabins, and glamping options. The campground enforces leash requirements in common areas while providing designated pet exercise spaces. Parks Pond Campground permits pets at all camping sites with clean, maintained grounds for walking dogs. Campgrounds maintain standard pet policies requiring vaccination records and proper waste disposal. The campground's clean bathrooms and showers make extended stays with pets more comfortable. Staff members at most locations treat campers like friends rather than customers, extending this welcoming attitude to pets as well.

    Branch Lake Camping Area features lakefront sites where pets can enjoy proximity to water without disturbing wildlife. Many pet owners appreciate the campground's walking trails which provide exercise opportunities around the 26.5-mile perimeter lake. A designated pet area allows for off-leash play while maintaining separation from swimming areas. Pumpkin Patch RV Resort recently added a fenced dog exercise area with water and toys long enough for retrievers to chase balls. Most campgrounds in the region maintain quiet hours after 10 PM, which helps manage barking and other pet noises. The Ellsworth area provides veterinary services within a 15-minute drive of most campgrounds, with pet supply options available at nearby retail centers. Wildlife encounters require keeping pets secured, particularly during early morning and evening hours when local wildlife is most active.

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    Best Dog-Friendly Campgrounds near Holden (91)

      1. Pumpkin Patch RV Resort

      4.7(10)12mi from Holden1 siteRVs, Cabins

      "Stayed Here for one night after picking up a new travel trailer nearby. The staff and campers were all very friendly and welcoming."

      "Snowmobile trails behind the campground lead to a walking path that connects the high school and elementary school for a pleasant walk in the woods."

      from $50 / night

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      2. Bangor Holden KOA

      3.8(4)1mi from HoldenRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "We booked Holden KOA for a quick weekend getaway. We booked a deluxe patio site. The site was great, flat and easy to back into."

      "Quick walk to bathrooms & showers, which are very clean. Held lots of activities over the weekend, busy crowd. Got a nice secluded tent space."

      3. Paul Bunyan Campground

      4.5(4)10mi from HoldenRVs, Tents, Glamping

      "Beautiful campground close to all the attractions"

      "Close to the cross center and the waterfront concerts. Quite"

      4. Parks Pond Campground

      4.3(3)10mi from HoldenRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "My spot was right next to road. I honest didn't notice road threw out the night. Water rentals kayaks etc were very reasonable. Staff was very nice."

      "THe all around environment was very welcoming. I will definitely stay again in the future."

      5. Bar Harbor/Oceanside KOA

      4.5(37)28mi from HoldenRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "They are mainly open in the evenings but also appear to serve lunch and breakfast on the weekends.  The camp store was well stocked also."

      "My cousins, my husband and our dog rented a deluxe cabin in September, and it was perfect."

      6. Branch Lake Camping area

      4.3(3)10mi from HoldenRVs, Tents, Glamping

      "I couldn't pull in I had to back in yet having the dinette overlooking the lake was nice. Everyone was so nice and helpful. The lake has 26.5 miles perimeter  and a maximum depth of 124'."

      "Nice peaceful lake view and access. Location was a good 45 min drive from Acadia National Park, longer than we anticipated. Drive got old after a couple days."

      7. Patten Pond Camping Resort

      3.6(7)15mi from HoldenRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "Close enough to drive to Mt Desert Island. Campground is set way back off the road so you get no road noise! Visit Bar Harbor, Cadillac Mtn, Fort Knox Observatory."

      "The campsite is surrounded by beautiful trees."

      8. Blackwoods Campground — Acadia National Park

      4.5(98)38mi from Holden292 sitesRVs, Tents

      "The campsites are primitive (no electricity, water or sewer) and there are no showers on site - there is a pay shower close by outside the park."

      "Close proximity to Bar Harbor and a lot of the main attractions of the national park. Showers are just outside of the entrance to the campground, coin operated."

      from $30 - $60 / night

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      9. Shady Oaks Campground and Cabins

      3.8(4)13mi from HoldenRVs, Tents, Cabins

      "we stayed here last year on our vacation to maine,we actually made a wrong turn,ended up getting there very late,they left the key for us to find and were very hospitable the entire visit. we stayed for"

      "We were welcomed.with a hearty.hello and an escort to our deluxe drive thru site for our 34' motorhome. Management was gracious and very accommodating."

      from $36 - $115 / night

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      10. Balsam Cove Campground

      4.5(4)14mi from HoldenRVs, Tents, Cabins

      "Located on a beautiful lake, this campground is hard to beat for both activities and a sense of calm. Staff is very friendly and accommodating."

      from $36 - $89 / night

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    Dog-Friendly Camping Reviews near Holden, ME

    742 Reviews of 91 Holden Campgrounds


    • Becca H.The Dyrt PRO User
      Jul. 16, 2022

      Pumpkin Patch RV Resort

      Clean and Quiet with Friendly People!

      Stayed Here for one night after picking up a new travel trailer nearby. The staff and campers were all very friendly and welcoming. Much of the population consists of seasonal campers with huge RVs and Motor Homes. It’s very adult oriented, super quiet, and super clean. There are nice little walking trails and a small fenced in dog park where dogs can play. Would definitely stay here again if in the area!

    • Steve V.The Dyrt PRO User
      Jul. 25, 2019

      Hadley's Point Campground

      Ranger Review: Morsel Spork at Hadley’s Point Campground

      **Campground Review: **

      Hadley’s Point Campground is located on the north side of Mt Desert Island and just a short distance from Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park. Hadley’s Point is a large private campground that has tent, water& electric RV, and full hook up sites, as well as Cabins. The campground is broke up in to multiple loops (campground map can be found in my pictures) with some loops in open areas with little shade and sites close together, and other loops have more wooded sites that have some shade and privacy. All style sites include a picnic table and fire ring. 

      Reservations are site type, not site specific, so a little bit of a gamble. We were assigned site B27 on this visit. This site was partially shade depending on the time of day and very close to our neighbors. Other sites in the B loop did have more trees and more private, but they were full on this stay. Check-in was easy and the staff was very helpful in providing info and answering questions about the area. A host guides you to your site and assist you in positioning if needed. 

      The bathroom on B-loop does not have showers so we had to hike to other loops to shower. The Bathrooms and showers were very clean. The showers are metered and cost $0.50 per 7 minutes, so don’t forget your quarters! 

      Firewood and limited supplies were available at the office. There is a full grocery store about 10 minutes away. 

      We found good cell phone service with Verizon throughout the property. The campground did not have wi-fi. 

      The campground also has a heated pool, playground, and laundry. 

      With Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park close by, there is so much to do and see in the area. One of the best benefits of the area is that there is a free shuttle with multiple routes around the island, so you can leave the car and parking hassles behind and just shuttle everywhere. The Shuttle has a stop right on the campground and is dog friendly (on leash and if your dog is friendly). 

      Speaking of dog friendly, I’ve never been to an area that is so dog friendly. The campground staff was very forthcoming with dog friendly info and I have to mention Bark Harbor in downtown Bar Harbor. Bark Harbor is a pet store that bakes their own treats, has toys and gifts, and tons of info on dog friendly areas on the island. They have pre-printed lists of dog friendly hotels, restaurants, on and off leash hiking trails, and dog parks. Super friendly crew that keyed us into an off leash hiking area that our dogs loved! 

      Pro Tip: A short ¼ mile walk from the campground is an off leash dog friendly beach that you can also launch your kayak or canoe from or have a sunset beach campfire. We really enjoys this beach after a long day of hiking all around the national park. 

      With all the outdoor activities of the national park, kayak and boat cruises in the ocean, lobster, lobster, lobster, you’ll need a full week to explore this island. Hadley’s Point made it a perfect place for us to take it all in.

      **---------------------------- **

      **Product Review: **

      As a Ranger for The Dyrt, I get to test products. At this campground, I tested the Morsel Spork. This spork from Morel is very handy to have in your gear list. We are teardrop campers, so our space is limited. Everything has to have a purpose and be compact. Items like the Morsel Spork, that serves multiple functions, fit right into our needs. We purchased both the mini and the XL. Both are the same (spork on one end, spoon/scraper on the other end), but the XL is a little longer. We found this very functional for regular eating from plates or bowls, or eating directly from food packets. I also found the scraper spoon side useful in cleaning out our french press carafe. Easy to clean, easy to use, comes in multiple colors, and happy to have it a part of our camping equipment.

    • MJ B.
      Jun. 19, 2024

      Bass Harbor Campground

      Hidden Gem When Visiting Acadia National Park

      We stayed at this campground unexpectedly as two places I was looking at would not accept reservations less than 24 hours in advance. They had availability, offered wooded tent spots, and were affordable as some campgrounds anymore are charging an arm and leg to camp. When we arrived, the girls in the office were super sweet. They had the essentials needed if you are in a pinch, a cute gift shop for the Bass Harbor Lighthhouse (bring your lighthouse passport with you to get stamped here), have coffee/muffins in the morning, washrooms were very clean, laundry, dog park, dog run, small rec center, and pool. Tent sites are nicely wooded and spaced out, so you are not on top of one another. Quiet hours are between 10 PM and 7 AM, and it was so nice to camp in peace and quiet with others wanting the same thing. There are homes close by, but they are fenced off and really are out of sight, so it's not really an issue. The Bass Harbor Lighthhouse is literally 500 feet away. We could hear the bouy ding from our campsite. There are two beautiful hiking trails .7 miles away from the campgrounds: Ship Harbor and Wonderland, that bring you to beautiful ocean views. One of the Acadia Park entrances is 5 minutes away. Southwest Harbor is a short ride away to grab an ice cream or a nice dinner. There is a brand new mini golf center further down the road that is amazing!! The Acadia Mountain trail is not far nor is the Cranberry Island Ferry. This was a prime location to see another side of Bar Harbor, see beautiful sites and avoid the crowds of downtown Bar Harbor. So happy I stumbled across this campground by accident. I would highly recommend and will definitely return!

    • Nancy W.The Dyrt PRO User
      Jul. 18, 2017

      Moorings Campground

      Love the Ocean Access and Views

      Overall, this is a great little private RV park with awesome views (from some sites) and great access to the ocean. The park is conveniently located just a few miles from downtown Belfast (a sweet little Maine town) which offers plenty to do and see. Plus, you are just five miles from the cute town of Searsport which houses the wonderful Penobscot Marine Museum and two miles from Moose Point State Park with hiking trails, picnic areas, and more gorgeous views.

      The park offers a variety of sites (44 total) depending on if you want oceanfront, ocean view, or a pull-thru. All sites have electric (50 or 30 amp), water, cable and wifi. The five pull-thru sites also include sewer. A mobile sewer pump-out service is available for guests staying one week or longer and there is a dump station. Roads and sites are gravel with grass patios and level. All sites have a fire ring and picnic table. Our Verizon 4G phone and Hotspot worked great but we mostly used the free wifi which worked very well.

      Park amenities include private ocean access, horseshoes, playground, laundry, showers/bathrooms, free coffee in the morning, free weekend papers delivered to your site, free donuts on Sunday mornings, and a restaurant on-site. The park organizes a lot of group activities including pot lucks, lobster shore dinners, and free wine and beer during Friday Happy Hours. The laundry has two wash machines/dryers and was clean and tidy.

      The Moorings is in a great location. It is just a few miles from downtown Belfast where you will find restaurants, a brewery, boutiques, a movie theater, art galleries, historic museums/sites, and plenty of water-related activities. Grocery stores and fuel stations are within a few miles of the RV Park. Just a mere 20 miles away is the popular coastal town of Camden.   

      What we liked about this park is the town of Belfast and how close the RV park is to downtown. Also, the parks small size and friendly people make this an enjoyable place to stay. We like the fact that they had social activities (like free happy hour and donuts) that bring people together. The ocean access in this park is great! A short set of stairs takes you down to the water which is great for exploring, launching kayaks, and letting the dog run/swim when the tide is out. 

      The biggest downside for us was the price and lack of sewer and 50 amp at some sites. Our site was $66/night for a FHU (50 amp) pull-thru on the hill in the front of the park without much in the way of a water view. Premier oceanfront sites (with no sewer and 30 amps) are $72/night during high season. That being said, there are not too many options for campgrounds in the Belfast area and we really did like staying here. 

      From a dog owners perspective this park gets mixed reviews. The rules ask that dogs be on a 4’ or less lease, you may only have two pets (unless you get prior approval), they must do their business in one small area and are not allowed on most grassy areas throughout the park. We make a consorted effort not too let our dog pee or poop in others yards but we don’t always have control over where that happens. We did like the fact that you could take them down to the ocean to play in the water and on the beach when the tide was out. Within two miles of the RV park is Moose Point State Park with a few miles of hiking trails, picnic area and water access (a daily use fee is charged). Downtown Belfast does have a fenced off-leash 1.4 – acre dog park with water for dogs and benches for owners.

    • D
      Jul. 23, 2023

      Bar Harbor/Oceanside KOA

      Great KOA!

      My family and I stayed at this KOA this past week. It was agreat experience! That staff was awesome and over the top accommodating. We had a pull through site with full hook up right across from the on site Lobster Trap Cafe. The site was spacious and comfortable. The whole campground was neat and clean. Staff members pick up trash throughout the day at all of the sites. The Lobster Trap had a good menu, and great customer service. They are mainly open in the evenings but also appear to serve lunch and breakfast on the weekends. 

      The camp store was well stocked also. There is also an island shuttle bus stop right at the entrance to the campground. There is a gas station and take out restaurant ( Island Take Out) right across from the entrance as well. There was a nice dog park as well. Cell service with AT&T was great. Cell service with T-Mobile was spotty. We did not try the campground wifi. The only down side to the trip was gnats and mosquitos, but that was all over the island and no fault of the KOA. This was one of the best KOA's we have visited and we will definitely stay there again when we visit Acadia.

    • Laurie H.The Dyrt PRO User
      Oct. 18, 2022

      Mount Desert Campground

      A Place To Visit For Generations

      We camped for years and years at Mount Desert Campground with our four children and my Sister-in-Law and her two sons. The kids are all grown now and are taking their own camping trips to this amazing place. It is a family run campground with immaculate grounds and bathroom facilities on Somes Sound in Mt. Desert, Maine which is right next to the fabulous town of Bar Harbor and Acadia National Forest. There are so many activities and amenities just minutes from this lovely campground but, if you choose to stay put...you will not be disappointed. There are lovely camp roads to walk, run, or bike. Fresh air to breathe, an epic long dock to catch and release crabs near, kayak or canoe rentals, and so much more. The Camp store has wonderful provisions including homemade bear claws in the am to enjoy with coffee or tea. It is above and beyond a family favorite place to camp in Maine.

    • sheila S.
      Sep. 10, 2022

      Bangor Holden KOA

      STAY AWAY FROM KOA

      STAY AWAY.. FROM KOA/HOLDEN MAINE And here’s why.. we are avid campers and have been for 20 years.. never and I mean never have we ever been treated with this much disrespect.. Don’t only take my word for it, check the reviews, on Yelp, Facebook, hell just google“Chris Koa/Holden Maine“ for your self… 1st year fabulous… 2nd year.. we were going to buy the campsite, until my bank and accountant discovered, money laundering, and pocketing of over xxx,xxx, we backed out of the deal to not cause trouble for Chris and Lauren, but little did we know.. 3rd year..multiple harassing messages, dog issue(2lb yorkie)“off leash” we didn’t get a friendly reminder instead a“remove your dogs immediately“ granted we live 3.5 hours away. Noise complaint.. 10:10 pm he received multiple complaint..(none of which were ever true), that we were“ Obnoxiously loud”! And than finally get permanently kicked out for not paying a 35 dollar electric bill“on time” THESE PEOPLE ARE CROOKS, THEY ARE MEAN, the campsite is substandard, water smells like a bog don’t drink it.. the electrical grid can’t hold up.. internet is slightly better that dial up.. they will harass your children, yell at your grandparents.. Save your family the heartache, the money, the stress.. drive 15 miles further and you will be treated like royalty!!! Camp ground is failing… 1 year you couldn’t get a spot!! This year.. it is nearly Vacant… so his attitude and violent outbursts towards his paying customers… is why his campsite will be deserted in a couple of years.. HELP US SPREAD THE WORD!!

    • Rebecca T.
      Jul. 11, 2021

      Hadley's Point Campground

      Pet and family friendly campground BUT crowded and crawling with ticks

      Hadley's Point is a private campground just outside Acadia National Park. This campground prides itself on being family-friendly and welcoming to pets.

      Children are allowed to bike throughout the campground until dusk. While we stayed, there was a campground-wide Fourth of July bike parade. The kids loved it. 

      Pets are welcome but cannot be abandoned in the motorhome when you leave. Plan to take your pet with you everywhere.

      Hadley's Point offers laundry facilities, showers, a heated pool, cornhole, and shuffleboard. While the pool is heated, it is not hot -- or even very warm. But this is Maine we are talking about, and I'm sure that the water was warmer than it would otherwise have been. 

      The campground is primarily designed to accommodate RVs and motorhomes. The large fields and open lots for RVs provide ample parking and the campground offered electricity as well as other hookups. 

      Cute cabins offer cozy sleeping (but no running water) for visitors without tents or RVs. 

      We brought our tent and felt a little like second-class citizens at this RV-focused campground. The tent sites were tiny. Our large van, tent, and screened-in pavilion covered the entire site, leaving very little walking space. Our site also lacked trees for shade and hammocks. 

      Worse yet, the campground has an infestation of Black-Legged Deer Ticks -- the ticks responsible for Lyme disease. We found two on our son during our stay. I hope they treat for these ticks soon because it poses a huge risk to their campers. 

      There is a lot of potential for this campground but they need to spray the grounds for ticks and create more comfortable sites. They could be awesome if they shifted their focus from trying to fit as many people as possible to creating a comfortable camping experience for all. 

      Pros:

      - Heated pool

      - Bathrooms cleaned regularly

      - Laundry

      - Good price

      - Good location

      - Playground

      - Kid and pet friendly

      - Island Explorer Bus stops at the campground

      Cons:

      - Cramped sites

      - Ticks

      - Crowded

    • Jacquelin P.
      Aug. 6, 2018

      Old Quarry Ocean Adventures (PERMANENTLY CLOSED)

      Perfect pet friendly campground near Acadia but far enough away

      Perfect pet friendly campground near Acadia but far enough away from it all. Friendly staff, peaceful nature setting on the water, and starry nights. Clean bathrooms and large campsites. Couldn’t have asked for more. Great also if you love kayaking or paddling!!


    Guide to Holden

    Campgrounds near Holden, Maine offer diverse camping experiences across forested landscapes at elevations around 130-150 feet above sea level. The region experiences average summer temperatures ranging from 55-80°F with early morning fog common along lake areas. Most campgrounds in the Holden area operate seasonally from mid-May through mid-October with varying precipitation patterns throughout the camping season.

    What to do

    Lake activities at branch lake: Branch Lake spans 26.5 miles in perimeter with a maximum depth of 124 feet, making it ideal for swimming, kayaking, and fishing. Branch Lake Camping area offers waterfront access where "We sat our chairs in the water and cooled down everyday and floated on our noodles. Great relaxing place." Several floating docks are available for swimming, and the campground provides a designated area for storing kayaks.

    Historic exploration nearby: The historical Fort Knox site is within 20 minutes of most Holden campgrounds. Nearby Shady Oaks Campground and Cabins offers easy access to this landmark. "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 one visitor about entertainment options when staying at regional campgrounds.

    Hiking options: Multiple trail systems surround Holden area campgrounds with varying difficulty levels. One camper at Balsam Cove Campground mentions, "Canoes and kayaks can be rented to enjoy the water and scenery, while the crowds of Bar Harbor can be reached in slightly less than an hour." This provides access to Acadia's extensive trail network for day trips while staying closer to Bangor.

    What campers like

    Quiet camping atmosphere: Many campgrounds near Holden maintain peaceful environments. A camper at Pumpkin Patch RV Resort noted, "The park is nice and clean with just a few amenities but just an average campground. 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." The resort's layout provides good spacing between sites.

    Well-maintained facilities: Clean bathrooms and shower facilities are consistently mentioned across campground reviews. At Paul Bunyan Campground, one visitor described it as "Clean and friendly staff. Easy sites to get into. Close to the cross center and the waterfront concerts. Quite." Multiple campgrounds offer regular maintenance schedules for bathroom facilities.

    Helpful staff interactions: Staff assistance is frequently praised at dog friendly campgrounds near Holden. One camper at Balsam Cove Campground reported, "Staff is very friendly and accommodating." Similarly, a visitor to Parks Pond Campground commented that "Staff treated you like you were friends not customers," reflecting the regional commitment to personalized service.

    What you should know

    Seasonal considerations: Most campgrounds operate from mid-May through October with limited facilities during shoulder seasons. A Bangor Holden KOA visitor noted their season runs "May 1 to October 15," and many campgrounds follow similar schedules with reduced amenities during May and October.

    Weather preparation: Morning fog is common on lakes in the Holden area, particularly during June and September. Rain gear is essential as precipitation patterns can change quickly, even during summer months.

    Pet policies beyond basics: While many are dog friendly campgrounds around Holden Maine, specific rules vary by location. Blackwoods Campground allows pets but requires them to be leashed at all times on designated trails. One visitor notes the campground is "Lots of cool trails to explore within the campground and lots of privacy! Facilities were clean and it was very dog friendly." Most campgrounds limit pets to two per site and require vaccination records.

    Tips for camping with families

    Look for specific children's activities: Not all campgrounds offer equal facilities for children. A visitor to Patten Pond Camping Resort mentions, "The campsite has a nice pond attached, it also has apartments with bathrooms as well as small cottages with out bathrooms." Some locations offer dedicated children's programs while others cater more to adult campers.

    Consider beach access quality: Swimming areas vary significantly between campgrounds. At Balsam Cove Campground, "We love the fresh water and BonFires. there is a playground and a common eating area. the kids feel like they are at summer camp while here." The sandy beach areas are more suitable for younger children than rocky lakefront sites.

    Check noise policies: Family-friendly campgrounds enforce different quiet hours. One camper at Paul Bunyan Campground noted it was "Very nice, but expensive and very close quarters," indicating families should research site spacing if noise from neighboring campers is a concern.

    Tips from RVers

    Site leveling requirements: Many RV sites require additional leveling. A camper at Pumpkin Patch RV Resort observed "Most sites are level and there are long pull thrus so you don't have to unhitch if you are only staying one night. There is a mix of sun and shade depending on what site you are in."

    Hookup availability: Electrical capacity varies between campgrounds, with some offering only 30-amp service. One RVer noted about Bangor Holden KOA: "Full hookup (sewer, water, 50 AMP)" but mentioned "Gravel site, Not much shade" as drawbacks, highlighting the typical tradeoffs when selecting sites for larger rigs.

    Storage options: For extended stays, consider campgrounds with additional storage areas. Few campgrounds around Holden offer dedicated RV storage, requiring advance planning for multi-week visits where additional vehicles or equipment might be needed.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Holden, ME?

    According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Holden, ME is Pumpkin Patch RV Resort with a 4.7-star rating from 10 reviews.

    What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Holden, ME?

    TheDyrt.com has all 91 dog-friendly camping locations near Holden, ME, with real photos and reviews from campers.