The Houlton area sits at approximately 400 feet above sea level in northeastern Maine, where the dense forests transition into the rolling agricultural lands of Aroostook County. Summer temperatures typically range from 50-80°F, with winter bringing consistent snow cover from November through April. Several campgrounds maintain year-round operations despite seasonal changes, with varying levels of services available outside peak months.
What to do
ATV trails access: Sites at Shin Pond Village Campground connect to extensive trail networks for off-road vehicles. "Shin Pond rents Polaris UTV and snowmobiles, canoes, and kayaks in the summer and snowmobiles in the winter. We went on a UTV ride one day and were treated to some beautiful views," notes Nancy W.
River activities: The Aroostook River provides numerous water recreation options near campsites. "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," reports Jean C. about her stay at Arndt's Aroostook River Lodge.
Hike to waterfalls: Nearby trails lead to scenic spots accessible from campgrounds. "Just a few miles down the road is a short hiking trail leading to Shin Pond Falls and another trail that runs along the Seboeis river which is a beautiful hike," explains a reviewer about their experience at Shin Pond Village.
What campers like
Spacious sites: Many campgrounds offer larger-than-average camping spaces. At Arndt's Aroostook River Lodge & Campground, one camper found that "My site(74) was so large that there could have been 4 vehicles with teardrops and had space left over; others used their space for RVs."
Riverfront camping: Pine Grove Campground provides direct river access. "Beautiful riverfront campsite (Site 21). The staff was very friendly and helpful," notes Katie B., though she cautions "There is not access to the river from this site, there is a 10 foot drop, so toddler and dog parents beware."
Rural night skies: The remote location offers excellent stargazing opportunities. At Lunksoos Campground in Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument, visitors can "enjoy fishing (license required), boating, hiking, stargazing, and wild-life watching," according to Jean C., who mentions the park even offers a "Night Explorer" junior ranger program.
What you should know
Variable site quality: Some campgrounds have uneven terrain that can present challenges. At Birch Point Lodge Campground, a reviewer warned "The 'pull-through' sites are literally on a hill. The sites small and there is no privacy from your neighbors."
Limited services: Many smaller campgrounds have restricted amenities. "There is a small bathroom with toilets and shower. They are cramped and dated; there's a small porch on the front and the paint is peeling," notes Jean C. about Neil E Michaud Campground.
Wildlife encounters: The area has active wildlife populations requiring proper preparation. At Lunksoos Campground, a reviewer reported "I saw fresh bear scat on the road on the way in; moose also frequent the area and maybe you'll even spy a lynx!" Sites come equipped with bear boxes for secure food storage.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly activities: Katahdin Shadows Campground offers numerous family amenities. "LOVED this place. SUPER friendly staff. Arcade and well stocked store. Heated pool, campfires, tractor rides," reports Ashley I., while another reviewer mentioned "Kids enjoyed riding bikes and using the game room."
Playground proximity: Consider site locations relative to play areas when booking with children. At Houlton/Canandian Border KOA, one camper explains, "We have kids so we opted for a site close enough to watch them play on the playground."
Educational opportunities: Incorporate learning into your camping trip. "There are Junior-Ranger programs, including a Night Explorer one," notes a visitor to Katahdin Woods and Waters Monument, adding that the information station "often has some brochures, including a bird list and interpretive guide to the loop road."
Tips from RVers
Dump station availability: Plan waste management carefully as options are limited. "Nothing special except they are the only dump station in the area... and take advantage of this. They charge 3 times more than all others to dump," warns a visitor about Neil E Michaud Campground.
Site orientation challenges: At Greenland Cove Campground, campers noted they "managed to get showers in and laundry done" despite arriving without a reservation. However, at other locations like Arndt's Aroostook, "for the back-in sites on the hill, the hookups are on the 'wrong' side. You'll either need to pull straight in or run the cords under the trailer."
Ground conditions: Soil saturation can affect larger RVs. Nancy W. at Shin Pond Village reports, "Sites are grass with very little gravel and, as we found out, they can be very soft. We pulled into our site (#21) and before we knew it our 45' (47,000 lbs) RV was stuck." After heavy rain, the owner needed a tractor to extract their vehicle.
