Camping spots near Bingham, Maine are scattered across the North Woods region where elevations range from 500-1,000 feet. The area sits at the gateway to Maine's High Peaks region with the Kennebec River serving as a major geographic feature. Summer temperatures typically reach 75-85°F during the day while dropping to 50-60°F at night, creating ideal camping conditions from late May through early October.
What to do
ATV trail exploration: Access over 1,000 miles of trails directly from Spacious Skies Balsam Woods in Abbott Village, about 30 minutes from Bingham. "We did not use the ATV trails that are directly off the campground, but they were great! We did, however, rent an ATV from Northwoods Outfitters in Greenville (just 20 minutes away) and it was our favorite activity yet!" according to a reviewer who visited in June.
Moose viewing excursions: Early morning or evening hours offer the best wildlife spotting opportunities at nearby ponds. "We were able to see moose regularly during evening hours just a few miles from camp. When leaving camp make a left, drive aprox 15 mins and you are sure to see them," reports a camper who stayed at Happy Horseshoe Campground in Lexington Township.
River activities: Rent or bring watercraft to explore the Kennebec River system. "A couple of convenient boat launches and several well-maintained docks. The swimming opportunities are fantastic, although it's important to be cautious of the strong river current beyond the shore," notes a visitor to Gray Ghost Camps. Free canoe and kayak use is available at some campgrounds, with a reviewer at Two Rivers mentioning, "One of the nice features is that they offer free use of their canoes/kayaks/peddle boats. You reserve a 2-hour time slot, and they provide you with the paddles and life jackets."
What campers like
Waterfront access: Sites along rivers and lakes rank consistently high in reviews. A guest at Two Rivers Campground in Skowhegan appreciated the unique layout: "Some of the RV sites are located parallel to the river so your patio is open to the river and you have an unobstructed water view." Another camper noted, "At 6:45am I saw two bald eagles patrolling the Kennebec."
Traditional camping atmosphere: Many campsites maintain wooded settings with ample privacy. "Grounds are equipped with spacious woodsy sites, two very clean bath houses, a rec room, walking trail, nice sized inground pool, playground for smaller kids, a store with Cafe and a teeny-tiny laundry room," described one visitor to Happy Horseshoe Campground.
Hiking proximity: The region offers access to numerous trails including sections of the Appalachian Trail. A camper at Deer Farm Camps & Campground mentioned, "I stayed here because of its proximity to the Fire Warden trail up Mt. Abram; I like to get up and on the trail early, so this was an ideal location. It's not far to the peaks in the Bigelow Preserve, Sugarloaf, Spaulding, or the Crockers, either."
What you should know
Weather considerations: The camping season typically runs from mid-May through October, with most campgrounds closing for winter. Some sites at higher elevations can experience frost even in September.
Road conditions: Access to primitive sites often requires navigating unpaved roads. A reviewer noted about Evergreens Campground: "If you want to ride ATV trails, fish and swim in the Kennebec River, ride mountain bikes on the Kennebec rail trail this is a great place to stay. The down side is the truck traffic on the nearby roads. The campground is near an intersection so logging trucks slow and accelerate nearby starting early in the morning."
Cash requirements: Some smaller campgrounds don't accept credit cards. "Bring cash or a check because they don't accept credit cards," advised a camper staying at Deer Farm Camps & Campground, who also noted the reasonable prices: "Each wooded site is relatively level and offers water and electric hookups, all for a price on par with state parks without utilities (even after tax is added to fees, you're still under $25/night)."
Cell service limitations: Connectivity is minimal or non-existent at many sites. "They do not offer wi-fi and your cell phone isn't much good either," reported a visitor to Deer Farm Camps & Campground.
Tips for camping with families
Swimming options: Several campgrounds feature pools or lake access for cooling off. Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park in Skowhegan receives high marks for water features: "The swimming pool was awesome as well as the water slides. The fireworks on July 4th could match Disney World!" according to one family's experience.
Organized activities: Weekend programming keeps children entertained. "The campground offers so many fun activities that are well worth the time there. There is also a wagon ride offered on the weekend throughout the day," shared a visitor about Balsam Woods Campground.
Fishing opportunities: Many sites provide pond or river access for beginner anglers. "This campground has a gorgeous view of the lake. A great place to fish for bass and yellow perch," reported a camper who visited Abnaki Family Camping Center in Madison.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Waterfront and shaded sites fill quickly during summer months. "We had a long pull-thru site that was located under pine trees which provided welcomed shade since the temperatures were in the high 80's. The first site we were assigned was in the direct sun so we asked to move to a shady site and they were very accommodating," explained an RVer who stayed at Two Rivers Campground.
Utility hookups: Most established campgrounds offer water and electric, with some providing full hookups. "RV sites have cable with 70+ channels," noted a reviewer at Two Rivers Campground, though they also mentioned "pretty poor Wi-Fi" despite paying $59/night for a full hookup site.
Off-grid preparation: For those seeking more remote camping experiences, come prepared with adequate water and power. "Although they don't offer sewer, they do offer a dump station," mentioned a tent camper at Alderbrook Camp Site, who also appreciated the "picnic table, fire ring, full hook ups, and box with an information sheet that includes things to do and places to eat for the surrounding area."
