Best Glamping near Hope, ME

My wife and I stayed at Somes Sound for 4 nights on our Maine honeymoon trip in July. We absolutely loved our stay. We set up at camp site 9. Incredible view of the sound/water. Our site was large enough for a 12 person tent with plenty of room for pop up canopy and other gear. We had electricity and water right at the site. The staff is very friendly and informative. The campground has a heated pool which was nice after hikes and being out all day. The grounds also have a small quarry with a paddle boat you can use for free! It's a older boat but was nice to have for a quick boat ride. The bathrooms were some of our favorite we have used, the toilets are separated into their own rooms for maximum privacy. Hot showers are $1 for 5 minuets and were separated into their own rooms as well. Very clean. The campground also offers yurt camping and water sites, which are extremely close to the water and beautiful. We went down to the water at night and sat on the dock, it was an amazing experience with the stars and sky so clear. Kayak rentals are located right at the campground which was so convenient, the views were insane! The campground is located outside of Bar Harbor and is on the quiet side which we enjoyed just as much as Bar Harbor and Acadia. Highly recommend this campground for a getaway or family trip!

My family and I (two adults, 14 yo and a 9 yo) just visited Searsport Shores for the first time again since our kids were very little and were so happy to be back! 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 seperate from the RVs and are in the woods, beautifully maintained. Only con is the sites are very close together so privacy is an issue sometimes, but the whole campground has a very community feel to it and we've always met some awesome strangers to hang out with. It makes it great for any age kid, there are always tons of kids around. The gardens, grounds and bathroom/laundry amenities that are offered are kept in beautiful clean condition. The rec room is a large but cozy place to hang out if/when it rains, with a fireplace and cozy couches. Just an all around great Maine experience. And the views!! I can't even begin to describe the views over the bay. We've visited during two ful moons and it's breathtaking. We hope to return soon!

Camden Hills wouldn't be our first choice, but we were returning to Maine to retrieve our trailer after some truck trouble, and wanted something close to where we left the trailer. Sites were pretty picked out by the time I made plans. so I chose a "Medium" site and hoped for the best.

It was tricky getting our 20' trailer into site 13. I'm not the best trailer driver (long truck, short trailer) but I do get lucky from time to time. I backed the trailer in between the trees as a neighbor laughed, trying to avoid the culvert for the stream which would have been a disaster. The truck/trailer wouldn't fit, so once the trailer was parked and leveled, I "parallel parked" the truck to get it off the road.

I had a Falcon Guide to the Maine trails, and that, along with the park map, allowed us to do a nice loop of Mts. Battie and Megunticook. In order to not block the site, we packed up and asked to park in the "overflow" lot near the park shops.

Some of the turns in the roads were a little rough for bigger trailers, but we did okay. The dump station is further in the campground, so don't try to leave and miss it. Wifi seemed pretty strong but we kept turning it off. I didn't ask about how much it costs. 

Camden was a nice town; parking was problematic. The campground is about 2 miles from town, so not close enough to walk. It seemed like there were a lot of portapotties around, but that could be due to the Mt. Battie auto road traffic. We didn't try the bathrooms or showers.

Try to do your homework regarding sites, and anyone with a trailer should try to get a large one.

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

Since the campground is closing this fall to renovate I will focus mostly on what the park has to offer. Our family of four plus one pet was impressed with the transportation system provided by Acadia in partnership with L.L Bean. Free buses are pet-friendly which allowed for maximum exploration. Activities within walking distance from the campground included hiking, beach combing, and picnicking. Waking up to see the beautifully painted sky over the ocean at sunrise is well worth it! Rock climbing and various boat excursions were also available. Southwest Harbor neighbors the campground and has adorable coffee houses and restaurants. Also, be sure to seek out one of Ms. Frances' blueberry pies from the Quietside Cafe. Hoping renovations keep walk-in woodsy sites, but update bathrooms and maybe include showers, although a clean pay facility exists a mile towards Southwest Harbor. All together, the gorgeous geography, National Park Service and kind neighboring towns made tent-camping in Acadia an outstanding and affordable experience. This will not be our last visit!

Famous Seawall Campground is divided into four loops. I can only review loops A & B where I have stayed…although I did look quickly at loop C which has a parking lot configuration and doesn’t have the character of loops A & B which are in the woods. Stay at Seawall if you can possibly do so. It’s unique. 

Loop A has a few sites that have been closed this season and hopefully they will open next year. Site A-1 is hands down the closest to the ocean by just a bit…a very easy walk and a good level site medium size. I would vouch for sites A-4 ADA; A-18; A-20; A-28; A-33; A-36; A-37; A-38 which seem nicer and flatter than others. Sites 24 & 25 are configured for adjoining families or friends without being group sites. A-10 & A-12 are very small sites.  Firepits are generous in size.

In loop B the best sites are generally on the outer, not the inside of the ring. Firepits are also large in this loop.There is one bathroom without showers, but it has been rebuilt or remodeled. There is no soap or hand dryer but the main thing is that the bathroom is very clean and modern as well as easily accessible from al points in the loop. Some of the sites inside the roadbed are adjacent to standing water which surely is a mosquito hazard. It gets swampy on the inside of the ring during rains…B-2, B-4, B-6 might flood. Best sites in loop B are: B-1 highest in elevation;  B-8 excellent privacy; B-13; B-26 & B-27. Spacious sites B-8; B-26; B-27 have the most privacy. B-15 & B-16 are meant to work well for adjoining parties. Site 22 is well set into the woods. Sites B-5, B-4, B-6; B-24 are small - of these B-24 is the best. Site B-2 is not private at all.

Southwest Harbor and Bass Harbor are the closest villages. Don’t forget to scout out the view from the upper town dock on Clark Point Road on the way to Beal’s restaurant. Look for a narrow lane to the dock--- great harbor view there…of the working harbor.

The most reliable area wifi is in Southwest Harbor village behind the town’s library (near the village public restrooms which are badly maintained.) On any given afternoon one can find the vehicles of Seawall campers parked behind the library using the wifi…this continues into the night, at least in summer.

Seawall has no wifi reception at all and no shower facilities. Nor any soap dispensers in the bathrooms. 

What it does have is location, location, location--- steps from the ocean. It’s a stone beach as with so many in Maine, not a sand beach; but, there are plenty of picnic tables and endless tide pools to explore.

Camden Hills is ideally situated for exploring midcoast Maine with its rocky shores, islands, and lighthouses. I made reservations for several nights in mid-August, hoping to catch the Perseid meteor showers from the top of Mt Battie. The weather cooperated for one night! That said, I enjoyed exploring trails in the park and the town. There's a road to the summit of Mt Battie which offers views of the town and harbor below. Climb the tower for a view of the sunset. Other trails lead to Megunticook and different views. Camden has a pretty harbor to explore and nice seaside shops plus a few homemade ice cream stands. Put your kayak in and explore the islands. Drive farther afield and check out some classic lighthouses or take a ferry to some of the offshore island.

There are rustic sites as well as those with water and electric. They offer a mix of reservable and first-come, first-serve sites and require a minimum of two night stay on peak weekends. This place really clears out Sunday afternoon (at least in mid-August), leaving a lot of sites empty. I made reservations late and was in site 106, in a field area surrounded by trees, with 4 spots. The site was level and easily accommodated my small teardrop trailer. I would NOT recommend this site however, nor do I recommend 102-104 because they are very close to the dumpster. A full dumpster, high humidity, and warm temperatures lead to a ripe odors wafting to your site. I was grateful I wasn't there much during the day, but I didn't want to sit outside by my fire in the evenings. I have no idea why they placed the dumpster so close to the sites…and then don't get them emptied often enough. It was nearly full when I arrived on Friday and didn't get emptied all weekend. Sites are on the hillside, but generally level. Those on the loop higher up the hill do not offer hookups. Rates vary, higher for hookups and also higher for out-of-state guests. If you make reservations online, be sure to print and bring your permit with you.

The road to the summit closes at 8:30pm and the road into the campground & park closes at 10pm (with check-in by 9pm), so plan to arrive before that or park outside the gate. I wanted to leave early one morning, so I moved my car to the parking lot outside the gate to facilitate a departure before sunrise.

Your firewood purchase helps support the wi-fi in the park and it is available at most sites. Each site may have 2 devices on the wi-fi and it's adequate for basic browsing, but don't count on it for data-heavy activities. Cell phone coverage (Verizon) is spotty; I had better luck closer to the restroom in the lower loop than I did at my site.

the campground was normal with nothing special, however, the park continues across the street and onto Maine rocky shoreline with access along the water which makes the entire thing more than worth it! the town is also quaint and everything Maine with ice cream on a pier and lobster boats galore! I’d go again!

Mid-Coast Maine is a place where you can spend a day on any body of water, club mountains, scale rocks, camp, and more. From Acadia to downeast, Maine is sure to keep you busy. Seawall campground is a great stop camp for a summer of activities. A little expensive but worth the price. If you want to save a buck save your trip for the off-season. Quieter camping, less traffic, and still I am ton to do!

This was the perfect location to explore the mid Maine coast. The camp sites are large and well spaced apart. Bathrooms were clean. We loved the view from the top of Mt. Battie. Definitely check out the trails along the ocean. Mt. Battie Take Out is a great stop after a long day of exploring.

This campground is a slice of heaven. Owners are terrific, and although the campground seemed full, everyone was quiet and respectful. Lots of fun stuff for the kids including live music. Try to snag the oceanfront sites - they are incredible. Location is great too for exploring mid coast Maine.

Small family owned campground with a variety of people enjoying piney Maine scenery. Owners are super nice and helpful. Salt water pool, walking or biking trails, boats to use. Situated on a river/inlet.

A good stop for a quick night. its about 30-40 mins from the main park but had nice size spaces and clean facilities. A little buggy but met expectations as a national park.

Stayed here on a trip around Maine last summer, 2014. This site was quiet and had plenty of room between camps. Bathrooms and showers were clean. The Rangers were very nice.
Stayed with a group of four and we had a great time!
Highly recommended!

Great campground. Bigger than we expected. Our site looked right over the water. Direct access to Maine's rocky shore. Everything you need to be comfortable including hot showers and bathrooms cleaned three times a day. A basic rec room, playground, beautiful gardens, clean sites. Rvs are so close together and some seasonal snobs, but also tent sites some drive up and some walk to more private/dispersed. Small store friendly staff. Some sites have a wooden deck for picnic area overlooking water. Laundry, wifi, made it an easy week. We had rain and wind a couple nights, tarp went over tent as not permitted in trees. Just fine. We will definitely be coming back.

This is a nice campground really close (though still driving distance) to Popham Beach - which is one of the best beaches in Maine, in my opinion. As someone who prefers more secluded, rustic camping, the mix of cars and RVs was not my favorite. But, there were really nice shower and laundry facilities which was a nice bonus for being in a more family friendly environment.

 As with all real estate, location, location ! The camp is well situated amongst many Maine towns all of which are worth a visit to. Camden is around 1 1/2 miles and is a nice place to spend a few hours walking around and enjoy New England. Booth Bay harbor is also a very nice town to visit along with Belfast.

The hiking trails at Camden are all excellent trails and going up to the summit of Mt. Beattie is worth the hike or if you ant there is the summit road with parking available.

From the summit are some spectacular views that shouldn’t be missed.

The sites aren’t all that level but they’re close. The bathrooms are somewhat dated but they were clean. The staff is very friendly and very helpful.

Camden Hills State Park was our third camping stop along Maine's coast and all three were wonderful. Our schedule allowed us to stay here only one night (disappointing!), but we loved this campground. Our site (74) felt private and was so beautiful among all the trees. While we didn't get to take advantage of the hiking trails, we drove up to Mt. Battie (part of this park) and the views were phenomenal! Had another friendly, helpful ranger check us in and, again, super clean bathrooms and showers. We explored the area a bit; loved Camden and headed down to Rockland to the Farnsworth Museum -- all within an easy drive. Also drove out to Owl's Head Point, but the fog overtook it. I bet it's super cool on a clearer day. Loved this place!

Calling Searsport Ocean Shores a campground is a disservice. This is a community. Astrig and Steve take their time to personally know each guest and make everybody’s experience amazing. The grounds are beautifully kept, and gives the campground a magical, whimsical feel. The local artists take the time to explain their craft to the guests and especially the children. My children made some great friends and gained some beautiful memories here. On our way out we had some trouble with our electric entry steps. Steve and another member of the community came and helped us out until we were able to rectify the problem. We will definitely be back annually. Don’t skip out on this place, it is a must stay while in Maine!