Coastal camping near Isle of Springs, Maine provides access to tidal waters and island exploration within the Midcoast region. Located in Boothbay Harbor's archipelago, campers encounter cooler evening temperatures even in summer months, typically 10-15°F lower than daytime highs. Most campgrounds remain open from mid-May through mid-October, with limited off-season availability.
What to do
Kayaking at Pemaquid Point: The coastal waters near Pemaquid Point Campground offer excellent paddling opportunities. "A beautiful place with a farm, campground and state park all together! There are tenting spots, camper spots and field spots," notes Tiffany N. about nearby Wolfe's Neck Oceanfront Campground, where water access is plentiful.
Explore coastal preserves: The Ovens Mouth Preserve features multiple hiking trails with coastal views. "Nearby is the Ovens Mouth Preserve which has great hiking and nice water views and is just one of many nature preserves in the area which all are very nice, well-marked, well-maintained, and dog-friendly," explains Nancy W. about her experience at Shore Hills Campground & RV Park.
Visit working farms: Several campgrounds incorporate agricultural experiences. At Wolfe's Neck Oceanfront Campground, "the working farm is open to visit and walk around. Pet the baby cows and see the pigs and goats. They have a ton of activities going on through the summer," says Tiffany N.
Beach access: White sand beaches are accessible from multiple campgrounds. "A nice short walk to the white sands beach and short drive to sightseeing," reports Anita B. about Sherwood Forest Campsite's proximity to Pemaquid Beach.
What campers like
Tidal exploration: The changing tides create unique experiences at several waterfront campgrounds. "We spent the night in one of the Oceanfront RV spots. The RV spots are in a very open field, but they are directly on the water. When the tide goes out you have the entire inlet to walk around in and explore," writes Michael H. about Sagadahoc Bay Campground.
Waterfront camping options: Multiple campgrounds offer direct water access. "We love coming to Duck Puddle in the shoulder season (spring and fall) when it's quiet. The waterfront sites (61-66) offer direct access to the lake and have trees between the site for a more private feel," notes K R. about Duck Puddle Campground.
On-site food options: Some campgrounds provide special culinary experiences. "Great place! Lobsters for sale straight out of the tank cooked and delivered to your site every day. Don't forget to add corn and potatoes," advises Erin O. about Meadowbrook Camping.
Brewery access: For adult campers, on-site craft beverages add appeal. "My wife and I just spend an overnight here. The brewery is really cool, and the wood fired pizza is some of my favorite. The folks who run this place are really friendly and accommodating," shares Joe R. about Boothbay Craft Brewery & RV Resort.
What you should know
Site spacing varies significantly: Review campsite maps carefully before booking. "Some of their 30-amp waterfront sites come with great views. They also have some sites tucked in the woods that are super wide with huge patios and lots of privacy between you and your neighbor," explains Nancy W. about Shore Hills Campground.
Seasonal closures: Most dog-friendly campgrounds near Isle of Springs operate only from May through October. "This campground is open from May 1 to Oct 1," notes Meadowbrook Camping's seasonal information.
Tidal considerations: Water access changes throughout the day at coastal sites. "The river is tidal and so unless you want to wade threw mud there is not access beyond a couple hours around high tide," warns Rachel S. about Shore Hills Campground.
Road noise factors: Some campgrounds are closer to major roads. "If there is a down side to the park it would be the road noise. You are right off of Rt. 27, which is the main road into Boothbay Harbor," explains Joe R. about Boothbay Craft Brewery & RV Resort.
Tips for camping with families
Lake swimming options: For families seeking calmer waters, lake-based campgrounds offer alternatives to ocean sites. "Great beach for swimming, playground for playing," notes Andrew G. about Chewonki Campground, a top-rated dog-friendly campground near Isle of Springs.
Educational farm experiences: Children can interact with animals at select locations. "My kids enjoyed visiting with the farm animals and walking along the rocky shore each day. Plenty to do between biking, kayaking, farm experience and visiting downtown Freeport close by," shares Michele S. about Wolfe's Neck Oceanfront Campground.
Playground access: Several campgrounds maintain play areas. "Bathrooms are dated but clean. The site we had was on the water and had great views. It was surrounded by trees and had decent spacing between neighbors," reports Rachel S. about Duck Puddle Campground, which also features a playground.
Seasonal activities: Many campgrounds offer scheduled events. "The weekend we stayed they happened to be celebrating 'Christmas in July' and so a lot of the campers had put up lights and decorated. They had a band play on Sat night and large bonfire," describes Rachel S. about Duck Puddle Campground's family programming.
Tips from RVers
Extension cord requirements: Some electric hookups require additional equipment. "The sites were level and easy enough to back into but just a tad challenging when it was time to leave (we were ok with our 18-foot van, but a larger rig would definitely have trouble)," advises Lee D. about Boothbay Craft Brewery & RV Resort.
Site leveling challenges: Some areas require additional preparation. "We chose a pull thru that had such a steep incline we determined it best to actually back into the site so we didn't bottom out trying to get up the hill," warns Nancy W. about Meadowbrook Camping.
Water access considerations: Not all sites offer full hookups. "The electrical hook ups are like 1 box for every 10 camping spots so they are kinda far away so make sure u have an extension cord of some sort and there's no water or sewer hook ups so fill ur water tank before parking," advises Shannon M. about Thomas Point Beach and Campground.
Shoulder season advantages: Several reviewers recommend off-peak visits. "We stayed here right after Memorial Day weekend, so the campground was mostly cleared out and quiet. The bathhouse was very clean (coin-operated showers), and the sites were spacious," notes Haley H. about Sherwood Forest Campsite.
