Near Jefferson, Maine, campers find a diversity of terrain for camping in the wooded Midcoast region where elevation rarely exceeds 500 feet. The area sits at the intersection of several watersheds with Damariscotta Lake and Pemaquid Pond influencing the local climate. Winter temperatures regularly drop below freezing from December through March, making camping outside the May-October window challenging or impossible at most locations.
What to Do
Kayaking on Sennebec Lake: Put in directly from Sennebec Lake Campground where the water access provides opportunities for paddling. "The lake is great for swimming and paddling. The rest of the campground is more busy and has the sites closer together, which isn't our scene," notes K R. about nearby Duck Puddle Campground.
Hiking Mt. Battie: Just 20 miles from Jefferson, the trails at Camden Hills State Park Campground offer various difficulty levels. "What we really liked was the convenient location to downtown Camden and other cute towns, there are hiking trails just outside your doorstep," explains one visitor. Another camper adds, "The top portion of the park, where all the campsites are, has direct access to Mount Megunticook, and Mount Battie, and offers easy to advanced hikes."
Axe Throwing: For a unique activity, Tiny Cabins of Maine offers on-site entertainment. "We enjoyed the pub's games and even tried our hand at axe throwing. Kayaking in the pond was a highlight, thanks to the convenient dock," reports Paige A.
What Campers Like
Waterfront Views: Sites along the water get consistent praise. "The site we had was on the water and had great views. It was surrounded by trees and had decent spacing between neighbors," mentions K R. about Duck Puddle Campground's waterfront sites, specifically noting "sites 61-66 offer direct access to the lake and have trees between the site for a more private feel."
Clean Facilities: Megunticook Campground maintains high standards. "The restrooms were very clean. The pool was not open at the time we visited," reports Cheryl R. Another camper notes, "The bathhouse was very clean and there are both outdoor and indoor showers."
Wooded Privacy: Several campgrounds offer secluded sites. "I am not an rv parking lot kind of person so I really like this campground. It looks like the sites are on top of each other online but they r better than most the way they are arranged," explains Carol C. from Duck Puddle Campground. At Chewonki Campground, a visitor reports, "We stayed in a large tent site. Very quiet and clean."
What You Should Know
Reservation Timing: For popular waterfront sites, book well ahead. "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," describes K R.
Hidden Fees: Check for additional charges beyond the base rate. At Megunticook Campground, one camper notes, "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."
Seasonal Variations: Some amenities close earlier than others. "We love coming to Duck Puddle in the shoulder season (spring and fall) when it's quiet," shares K R. At Camden Hills State Park, a visitor reports, "I'm here in 2025 and they are doing work on their water system so none of their water is potable."
Tips for Camping with Families
Event Planning: Check campground schedules for special activities. "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," explains Rachel S. about Sennebec Lake Campground.
Kid-Friendly Amenities: Look for campgrounds with recreational facilities. "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," shares Pam A. about Sennebec Lake.
Beach Access: Water activities keep children entertained. "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.
Tips from RVers
Site Leveling: Check site specifications before booking. "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," shares Jason G. about Sennebec Lake Campground.
Hookup Variations: Full hookups aren't available at all sites. "We could have chosen lakefront but they were just water and electric and since we were staying 4 days we chose the full hookup in a nicely wooded site," explains Carol C.
Dump Station Alternatives: Consider off-site options. "There is a dump station and water spigots are scattered throughout the campground," notes a Camden Hills State Park visitor, while another mentions, "$10 to use the dump station (we found another place that charged $5)" at Megunticook Campground.
