The Dyrt is here to help plan your best camping near Jay. Camping, hiking, biking: however you want to spend your days near Jay, you'll find great campgrounds with The Dyrt. At The Dyrt, campers like you share their favorite spots, plus tips and photos. No matter where you're headed in Jay, you'll find the best spot for you and your camping crew.
Papoose Pond Campground is the favorite camping resort of thousands of families throughout New England. We’re located in the mountains of Western Maine on picture perfect, Papoose Pond. Our half-mile sandy beach, 30’X60′ heated swimming pool, 180 campsites and more than 55 rental cottages, cabins and trailers provide the facilities for the ideal vacation. We offer more than 100 planned activities and nightly entertainment each week during our mid-season. Rent one of our 50 Canoes, Kayaks, Paddleboats, Rowboats, or bring your own. Mini-Golf, Tennis, Bocce, Volleyball, Horseshoes, Basketball, Softball, Weekly Tournaments, 3 playgrounds and our Antique Carousel are only a few of the reasons the whole family will enjoy Maine’s Premiere Family Resort. Experience Papoose Pond by trying one of our popular Weekend Escapes in June or September. One price includes everything – accommodations, 5 great meals and the use of all our boats, mini-golf, a hayride and our carousel. It’s a great deal. Ask your friends or check us out online at www.papoosepondcamping.com Come visit Papoose Pond Campground and discover for yourself why more than 80% of our guests return year after year.
Spread out over 626 acres with over three miles of shoreline, the campground has three distinct areas to choose from:
East Bay: Inland sites. Electric & Water Hookup sites are here, as well as some of our most private tent sites. Sites 2-56 are shady, and sites 60-70 are in a more open area. This is the closest area to the Camp Store, showers and Snack Shack.
Middle Bay: Tents only area. Forested and shady, Middle Bay gives the feeling of being deep in the woods, yet with many waterfront sites.
West Bay: Tents and RVs welcome (no hook-ups). West Bay has tall trees along the water line, and open fields and pasture. This area is particularly suited to kids, as it hosts the playground and recreation field. This area was recently improved with our new shower building.
Opened to the public in 1938, Sebago Lake State park camping was one of the five original state parks of America. Nestled near the foothills of the White Mountains the park’s 1,400 acres of vast woodlands, sandy beaches, vibrant ponds, and deep emerald bogs inspire wonder and awe. A windy river snakes through one of the oldest historical locks in the region; while surrounding miles of expansive land create diverse habitats for a variety of plant and wildlife.
Sebago Lake was carved by ancient rivers and Ice Age Glacier fallout. The now filled granite basin provides recreation and watersport activities to thousands every year. The region is an impressive feat of scenery, boasting dense forests of pine, aspen, and birchwood. A multitude of these directly touch the shore of Maine’s deepest and second largest lake.
Subsequently, Sebago Lake Campground provides year-round camping and recreation to thousands. There are a number of popular activities, including lake (and river) swimming, sport fishing, camping, and even boating. The summer is especially busy thanks to the variety of large trees creating an abundance of breezy, shaded areas to escape the heat and hide the perfect makeshift rope swing.
Unique to this area is the historic Songo Lock, the last surviving lock of Cumberland and Oxford Canal, built in the 19th century. It can be found directly on the Songo River, just above the intersection of Crooked River and the Northern End of Sebago Lake State Park in the town of Naples. The lock was built in 1830, featuring granite walls with real wooden control gates to control water levels. Other locks have since been updated, however this has been preserved for its historical relevance.
Camping here provides the right environment for romantic nights under the stars, and misty mornings on the lake. There are 250 campsites available year-round, although tent camping here in the winter will get pretty chilly. That said, cross country skiing and distance snowshoeing are extremely popular winter activities. The campground also has good park service, various group picnic shelters, a fully functional playground, RV dumping station, and a limited amount of RV hookups for electric and water. There are even showers with working hot water, and facilities nearby for laundry.
Don’t skip out on Lake Sebago State Park. It’s a blast for anyone willing to put themselves through the effort of packing the car up and getting out there. There’s a ton to do, with giddy feelings and laughs around the campfire. The region is well maintained, with all the benefits of a beachside resort without the expensive costs. If you don’t mind paving your own fun, you’ll be rewarded exponentially on the shores of Lake Sebago.
$25 - $30 / night
$35 - $1100 / night
$27 - $52 / night
Get away to Maine's true vacationland!!! Beautiful camp site on a tranquil lake, there are endless possibilities for outdoor adventure and relaxation. Bring your Kayak and mountain bikes to explore the Maine wilderness. Remote yet close to Sunday River and Mount Abram. The tent site has solar energy to keep phones and devices topped off.
$125 / night
Cathedral Pines Campground is nestled deep in the Maine woods just 26 miles from the Canadian border and, as the name would imply, is surrounded by forests of tall red pine. Campers can enjoy the numerous hiking trails, fishing in nearby Flagstaff Lake, or simply relaxing in a quintessentially Maine setting. Recreational opportunities include canoeing and kayaking, taking a dip in the campground's swimming pond, or playing volleyball or horseshoes. Sugarloaf Mountain Golf Course is also nearby.
$32 - $40 / night
Stayed 5 nights with family on the next sight, great place for kids with lots of variety, animals and low traffic back roads for bike riding. Reserve early if you want hookups.
I value the reviews left here, so I felt I needed to leave an honest review in hopes it will help someone else. We stayed here for almost 2 weeks. During that time there was a sewage smell near the bathhouse. The sites are not level and most are not shaded or very wide. We also had brown water and were extremely thankful for our multiple water filters. We paid for a 30 amp service, but had low voltage the entirety of our stay. The solution that was proposed, was that we remove our Watchdog EMS and Surge protector. We decided to keep our Watchdog on. They had several campsites on the same breaker, something we have never seen at any campground in our 3 years of travel. On our last day, we didn't even have enough voltage to keep fans running inside our RV. Please be aware that low voltage seems to be an ongoing problem as an RV behind us had an electrical cord burn up while we were there.
Nice campground and nice lake , lots of activities for the kids. Sites are cramped and close together.
We were greeted with the most amazing, kind and service oriented staff! Just wonderful to see these days. Our site was a pull through and it was wooded and flattish. Some rocks on boulders, but we fit in fine. We were right next to a tenting site. Kind of close, but we managed to put the back of the RV toward their site. It is dog friendly!!! Lots of things to do on grounds and around this area. We had a great time. Plus, they have nice hot showers for free. No quarters here! lol In short, we loved our time here.
Here I am, going to ruin it... no, really pretend you didn't read this... The main campground is nice, it has some great group spots, and some close sites, even a few semiprivate ones. After all it is a campground build on an old section on RTE 16. The campground as others have mentioned is right on the river, and a wonderful river it is.
This is primitive camping, no water, no electrical, but it does have pit toilets and boat rentals and a day use area.
The hidden spots though are totally private and not at the main site but else ware on rte. 16, the ranger told me about them. They are amazing (I didn't say that)
Access is easy for any vehicle, minimal cell coverage.
They are currently doing a dig and finding some amazing artifacts!
A beautiful location!
Such a great place for families. West Bay has a playground, a great shower house, water access, and kayak rentals.
We stayed in a large tent site. Very quiet and clean. We also fished off the dock.
We had a few sites scattered over the campground for the weekend and had an overall...interesting time. We live relatively close and have been here a few times, each time has been mid.
Getting into your site with a camper requires maneuvering no matter how you come into the campground. We had a few sites higher up in the campground and had a tent site right on the water near the "boat ramp".
I try not to judge a campground based on the people around you because you literally cannot control that. The beach had flooded the weekend that we were there, leaving the only beach area available the spot...in our site. A HUGE group of people set up camp IN OUR SITE. It left a really bad imprint on the weekend and I won't be returning.
The campground itself is average, wooded sites with a camp store, field area, small beach and basic amenities.
We have stayed here several times and love it here!
The sites are beautiful, well spaced and well taken care of. The only "downside" is if you have a longer camper there are tight corners you need to be aware of in the camp roads. If you're good at maneuvering you're good to go.
On our last trip we rented double kayaks and paddled over to Brickyard Hollow for pizza and beers.
While this is close to the road, there is a good buffer of vegetation between the road and the campsites. I've camped here multiple times and never hear the road. Most sites are right on the Androscoggin River and the serenity is priceless. There are many grassy tent sites that can also accommodate small campers, like pop ups. There are a few lean-tos (2) and a few sites with wooden platforms.
The gentleman working the office was super kind and helpful. There was good signage indicating how to proceed for various needs in his absence, including how to purchase firewood and checking in/out. There is recycling available near most sites next to the various pit toilets. At this time, there are no showers or flush toilets but according to park staff, a facility for these items will be built in the near future.
Most sites are grassy but a few are hard packed dirt and a few had newly dispersed wood chips. Bathrooms were clean, water spigots are readily available as well. Sites are well maintained and some are closer together than others. Many have direct access to the river. There's really not a bad site.
I am new to pulling a small camper, and staff was great helping me secure a site that was easy for me to back into, and beautiful. Staff and other campers answered some basic questions graciously. The grounds are well kept and the facilities were clean and inviting. The shop was amazingly well stocked.
I will definitely return!
Had a wonderful 4 days at Duck Puddle. An amazing view of the lake from a site that was very level. The staff were all friendly and the facilities were clean and stocked. Can’t wait to come back!
We booked a no-hookup site by the river for a week long stay with our travel trailer. The grounds were extremely well kept and the showers and main restrooms were the cleanest I have seen. Our site was in an open grassy area that was visible from the road with great views of the river. Though the site was open, the camp sites are spaced far enough apart that we still felt that we were camping privately. The river is clean with a solid though slightly rocky bottom and a moderate current that is suited for wading if that is your thing and excellent for tubing. Fly fishing only is permitted is you obtain the permit. ATT and Verizon both provided cell phone service at our site but data service was not useful on either. The campground does have drinking water and a dump station on site as well as sites with power hookups. Firewood was available for the going rate and each site had a firepit and grate which we found to be very clean and well kept. The host was very friendly and accommodating to us and was able to drop us off upriver so we could drift downstream to our campsite on our tubes. Overall this campground provided an amazing experience that we would not hesitate to repeat.
Sennebec Lake Campground provided a blend of relaxation and adventure for the kiddos and the campground's commitment to modern conveniences is evident, with amenities that bring together comfort and wilderness living. During our stay, remarkable service provided a seamless experience. We have a 35ft RV, and we faced no issues getting in and out of the property and the sites across the water were level, with no extra leveling needed.
The campground's location was a highlight, offering easy access to the towns of Camden, Rockport, and Rockland, each having with their own unique New England charm. Sennebec Lake Campground is a sanctuary for families seeking a serene escape without sacrificing modern comforts.
We had an amazing first camping experience for our 2 year old here! The campsite was large and private with good distance between the next sites. We were on the pool/rec hall side and it definitely seemed less condensed over there than the pond side.
This is a cute little KOA with lots of things for smaller kids to do. We visited during their Halloween weekend. They had costume making and trick or treating for kids (bring candy) and a renaissance fair/party for adults. There is a pool with slide, a playground, a basketball hoop, a disc golf net. They have hayrides and a nightly train ride for younger visitors.
WiFi and cell service are both spotty.
Great Campground
Chewonki is a wonderfully run private campground near Bath, Wiscasset, Damariscotta and the beaches.
The grounds are beautifully maintained and with modern. clean utilities /amenities.
The boat launching area is limited by the tidal stream, but offers terrific, quiet experiences not expected as close to route 1.
The ownership is on site and they’re friendly, helpful and proud of their property. Strong Verizon cell service too!
Camped right on the Saco River on Beach 2. it’s absolutely beautiful. Definitely not a place for young kids because there’s a lot of partying on the beaches. Lots of fun & can’t wait to go back.
Spent three nights at Mollidgewock State Park recently. Absolutely beautiful positioning next to a river. Clean sites - many covered in grass with wildflowers which were stunning. Ours had gravel which I ended up being pleased about after finding a tick crawling on our tent. The owner/manager was extremely friendly and helpful. The pit toilet was very clean, well-ventilated, and stocked with toilet paper and hand sanitizer. The main bummer was the proximity to a road -- the road noise was pretty significant (you could also hear ATVs behind the road). I think it would have been less noisy further in the campground (higher-numbered sites) where the river noises were louder. I would definitely recommend a campsite further in (avoid sites #1-5 ish that are directly next to the road - car lights will shine in your tent at night as cars drive in). This wasn't a huge deal, but the sites further down were more private and further from the driveway.
Errol does not have much in the way of grocery stores and there are apparently two restaurants but we didn't check those out. Excellent outdoor gear/supply store!
They rent kayaks/canoes on the property which was fun (saw a bald eagle). Awesome hikes nearby - we did Dunn Falls in Maine.
Overall, great campground but would probably choose a different site next time as I prefer a more private set up.
Don’t peal the bark! The cathedral pines are stunning to behold and I appreciate that the campground staff discourage visitors from messing with the trees. For such a large campground it’s surprisingly peaceful, there is just enough space between sites but they are not private.
Campground is in need of upgrading. There were very heavy rains the night before we arrived that washed out some of the roads. Our site was quite wet. Hosts were very personable. We probably won’t be back.
Campground is under new ownership as of 2022 a lot of new improvements and more coming new glamping village the lodge house is being renovated new bathrooms and more coming
I came up to see Maine Botanical Gardens and wanted a relaxing spot to park my small trailer. This is a lovely spot, great views, the campground does a nice job of splitting the difference between private campgrounds and public state parks. They are redoing some landscaping due to the tree clearing for the local airport. Some of the spots are more open to your neighbors than others. It is obvious the owners care quite a lot. Clean bathroom, although chilly in the 3rd week in May :)
I have been going to Papoose Pond each summer since I was little. Now taking our young kids. Great family friendly campground.
This campground was small and quiet with majority of sites for tents only. The river was super calm so we were able to take our paddle board out and explore the waters. They have a small camp store and vault toilets but they were pretty clean. Overall a great campground in the northern area of NH! We stayed at site 18 which was next to a large field with tent sites on the river. Luckily no one was camping around us this weekend and it felt like we had the place to ourselves
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular glamping campsite near Jay, ME?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular glamping campground near Jay, ME is Beaver Brook Campground with a 4.9-star rating from 8 reviews.
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TheDyrt.com has all 35 glamping camping locations near Jay, ME, with real photos and reviews from campers.
