Camden Hills State Park spans 5,700 acres across hilly terrain, rising to 800 feet elevation at Mt. Battie with views of Penobscot Bay. The region's camping season extends from mid-May through mid-October, with walk-in only options starting in early September. Winter temperatures often drop below freezing, making most campgrounds seasonal rather than year-round operations.
What to do
Kayaking in nearby lakes: Megunticook Lake provides excellent paddling opportunities just five miles from Camden Hills State Park. "Camden City Park is 2.5 miles away, and is a great place to launch a kayak. Rockport Marine Park at Rockport Harbor is another - it has easy kayak launch access and a very very small beach," notes Heather C. about Camden Hills State Park Campground.
Explore mid-coast towns: The Rockland, Camden, and Rockport area offers diverse activities beyond camping. "The Camden/Rockland area provides a great home base for hiking, biking, kayaking and exploring. You are less than 10 minutes from central Camden, and 20 minutes to Rockland," according to Heather C. at Camden Hills State Park.
Take island ferries: Day trips to nearby islands offer unique experiences. "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," recommends Nancy W. from Camden Hills RV Resort.
What campers like
Cedar showers: Meguniticook by the Sea Campground offers unique shower facilities that receive consistent praise. "Bathrooms were very clean. The cedar showers are awesome! We've been excited to come back here since we left," reports Chelsea. Another camper adds, "I made use of the cedar showers for a long hot shower - awesome! Crystal clean bathrooms."
Waterfront access: Many campsites provide direct water access or views. "The Moorings has beautiful ocean front sites (they book up fast). And almost all the other sites have partial ocean views as well," reports Angie K. at Moorings Campground. For lakefront options, "The waterfront sites (61-66) offer direct access to the lake and have trees between the site for a more private feel. Some have a private dock for fishing or sitting, others have a small beach area," notes K.R. about Duck Puddle Campground.
Community events: Seasonal activities at campgrounds create memorable experiences. "The owners host a Lobster bake on Saturdays and it was so good. The staff was very friendly and helpful. They also had great showers with hot water! And free coffee in the office at 8," mentions Mona S. from Meguniticook by the Sea. Another camper notes, "They had a band play on Sat night and large bonfire. Everyone was invited to attend if they wanted to. Nice family friendly campground."
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Peak summer season requires advance planning at most campgrounds. "We are here in 2025 and they are doing work on their water system so none of their water is potable," warns Missy R. about Camden Hills State Park. She adds: "Beware of weekend campers. I had no problem getting a first come first serve spot on Wednesday, but by Friday, it was busy."
Site selection considerations: Terrain varies significantly across campgrounds. "The lay of the land is sloped and they need to improve drainage of run off. The site was very wet with standing water making most of the site unusable," reported one reviewer at Duck Puddle Campground. At Camden Hills RV Resort, "Parking under the pines also meant a lot of sap on our roof which was a bear to remove."
Additional fees: Many campgrounds charge beyond the base site fee. "I thought $50 for a tent site was a little steep but it was all the potential extra fees that irked me: $30 site lock to ensure you get the site you want when you reserve, $4 weather guarantee, $7.95 if you need to hook up to WiFi, $10 to use the dump station," notes Lee D. from Megunticook Campground.
Tips for camping with families
Seasonal activities: Summer programming varies by campground. At Sennebec Lake Campground, "Activities started up again this year, with events such as kids' crafts, a kids vs adults water gun fight, cornhole competition, and a DJ for an evening of dancing - just on the weekend we were there," according to Pam A. The campground also offers "a small arcade, store, and 24/7 laundry."
Water recreation options: Lakes provide safer swimming than ocean shores. "We love the proximity to the lake with easy access for kayaking and swimming. New ownership this year resulted in some updates, as well as the addition of glamping tents near the beach," notes Pam A. about Sennebec Lake Campground.
Indoor spaces for rainy days: Weather considerations matter for family camping. "The rec room is a large but cozy place to hang out if/when it rains, with a fireplace and cozy couches," notes April W. from Searsport Shores Ocean Campground.
Tips from RVers
Leveling challenges: Many sites require equipment adjustments. At Continuous Harmony Farm, "The sites are not marked at all and there did not seem to be a way to check in (it was first come first serve for us)," notes Adam B. This can create challenges for proper RV setup and leveling.
Hook-up options: Services vary widely between campgrounds. "About half the sites have water and electric. There is a dump station and water spigots are scattered throughout the campground," notes one reviewer about Camden Hills State Park. For full services, "ALL sites are full hook up with 50 amp, water and sewer," at The Moorings, according to a recent update.
Cell coverage and internet: Connectivity varies throughout the region. "We were able to get strong Verizon cell service and internet but our over-the-air antenna did not work and we had to go to Dish satellite," reports Nancy W. about Lobster Buoy Campsites. This contrasts with Camden Hills State Park where "The Verizon signal on our phone and wifi on our hotspot were strong. The park does have free wifi at most campsites and the signal was very strong."