Glamping in Houlton, Maine provides access to northern Maine's distinct four-season climate, with summer temperatures averaging 75-80°F and winters dropping below 0°F. Located in Aroostook County near the Canadian border at approximately 400 feet elevation, this area features a mix of dense woodlands and open farmland. Most luxury camping options operate May through October when weather conditions are optimal for outdoor recreation.
What to do
Explore Katahdin Woods and Waters: Shin Pond Village Campground serves as an excellent base camp for exploring this national monument. "We were about 15 miles from the northern entrance of Baxter State Park, so we chose to travel to South Branch Pond to spend the day kayaking. A great choice," notes a visitor who appreciates the campground's strategic location near Shin Pond Village Campground.
River recreation: The Aroostook River offers excellent fishing and paddling opportunities. "The Aroostook river was down the hill and across the street. Swimming, kayaking, canoeing, ATVing, fishing, biking, and hunting are all activities to keep you busy," explains one camper at Arndt's Aroostook River Lodge & Campground.
Scenic hiking: Short trails with rewarding views are scattered throughout the region. "We liked Haystack Mountain which is just a short 10-15 minute walk to the top of the mountain with great views," shares a visitor who enjoyed exploring the countryside around Presque Isle.
What campers like
Spacious sites: Many glamping locations feature exceptionally roomy accommodations. "There are HUGE, level, terraced sites stretching up the hill. My site was so large that there could have been 4 vehicles with teardrops and had space left over," reports a camper at Arndt's Aroostook River Lodge.
Water views: Riverfront and pond-access sites are highly valued by visitors. "Beautiful riverfront campsite (Site 21). The staff was very friendly and helpful," notes a camper at Pine Grove Campground & Cottages, though they caution about the 10-foot drop to the water that parents of toddlers should note.
Clean facilities: Visitors consistently mention well-maintained bathrooms and shower facilities. "A centralized bath house offers clean showers and flush toilets," reports one camper who appreciated the facilities at Arndt's Aroostook River Lodge despite staying during 90+ degree temperatures.
What you should know
Seasonal operation: Most luxury camping sites operate between May and October. "Seasonal campers make up about 50% of the park but most just come on weekends so the weekdays were pretty quiet," notes a camper staying at Houlton/Canandian Border KOA, highlighting how the atmosphere changes throughout the week.
Variable ground conditions: Recent weather can affect site accessibility. "Sites are grass with very little gravel and, as we found out, they can be very soft. We pulled into our site and before we knew it our 45' RV was stuck," warns a visitor at Shin Pond Village after heavy rainfall had saturated the ground.
Limited connectivity: Cell service varies significantly by location and provider. "No cell or internet reception with our Verizon phone. The campground does have wifi but the signal was not strong enough to get reception reliably at our site," reports a camper who needed to visit the campground office area to connect.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Select sites that provide visibility to play areas. "We have kids so we opted for a site close enough to watch them play on the playground," mentions a visitor at the Houlton KOA who appreciated the thoughtful site placement.
Kid-friendly activities: Look for campgrounds with dedicated children's entertainment. "Kids enjoyed finding frogs in all their ponds. They have also added the mining for gems activity that you see at some KOA's and all my kids enjoyed that," shares a family that made the Houlton KOA their annual camping destination.
Water safety considerations: River and pond sites may have steep drops. "There is not access to the river from this site, there is a 10 foot drop, so toddler and dog parents beware," cautions a camper at Pine Grove Campground & Cottages regarding their waterfront site.
Tips from RVers
Extended hookups: Some sites require additional equipment for connections. "Some of the sewer connections are not conveniently located so you may need extra sewer hose," advises an RVer who managed to position their vehicle strategically without needing extensions.
Site selection for large rigs: Carefully consider tree placement and site angles. "The site we chose was more level but it took some time backing our large RV into the site because of the trees," shares a camper with a 45-foot RV who found suitable accommodation despite initial concerns.
Satellite reception challenges: Dense tree cover affects television and internet connectivity. "We used our portable satellite antennae to pick up television but had to do some manipulating because of the trees," notes an RVer who found workarounds for connectivity issues while enjoying the natural setting.
