Central Maine offers a mix of lakeside and forested glamping close to Kents Hill, Maine, with seasonal availability typically running May through October. Most upscale outdoor accommodations sit at elevations between 200-400 feet, providing access to multiple lakes and ponds within a 30-minute drive. Winter temperatures can drop below freezing, making most luxury camping options unavailable after mid-October.
What to do
Water activities on Cobbosseecontee Lake: Birches Lakeside Campground sits on a 12-mile lake perfect for boating and paddling. According to a visitor, "Really cute campground. It's perfect if you have a motor boat, pontoon, jetski, or even a kayak! I wouldn't suggest learned to paddle board on the lake but it's still a great spot for experienced paddleboarders."
Disc golf and recreation: Jellystone Park™ Androscoggin Lake offers disc golf among its amenities. One camper noted, "Amazing campground. Has a lot of stuff for kids including playground, pool, water slides, canoeing, kayaking, mini golf and disc golf. Great sites and plenty of them. Definitely a place to stay for a few days."
Hiking local trails: Camden Hills State Park provides direct access to Mount Megunticook and Mount Battie trails ranging from easy to advanced. "Campsite are nice great for tents and RV's. Lots of nice hikes close by with amazing views would definitely go back," shares a recent visitor. The park includes over 30 miles of hiking trails with elevation gains between 100-800 feet.
Shopping in nearby towns: Wolfe's Neck Oceanfront Campground puts you close to shopping destinations. "We stayed on waters edge in a band of trees, breezes, birds, and fish jumping... A unique opportunity to stay and relax on a farm by the ocean," notes one camper. Freeport outlets are approximately 5 minutes from this location.
What campers like
Sandy beaches and swimming areas: Papoose Pond Family Campground features both pool and pond access. A visitor explains, "This is a glamping campground and so much going on for kids and adults. The pond is amazing. The store is huge! The sites are huge!" Swimming areas typically have lifeguards during peak summer months from 10am-5pm.
Spacious, private campsites: Two Lakes Camping offers wooded sites with adequate spacing. "We had a few sites scattered over the campground for the weekend... The campground itself is average, wooded sites with a camp store, field area, small beach and basic amenities," reports a camper. Most sites average 25-35 feet in width.
Farm experiences: Wolfe's Neck Oceanfront Campground includes a working organic farm. According to a camper: "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." The farm offers daily educational programs during summer months.
Clean facilities: Chewonki Campground maintains exceptionally clean bathrooms. As one camper shared, "The bathrooms and showers were spic and span clean. If you are looking for a time to get away from the noise of the city - this is the place to be!!" Most facilities include hot water showers operating on coin systems requiring quarters.
What you should know
Seasonal operations: Most luxury glamping options near Kents Hill only operate between May and October. Augusta/Gardiner KOA specifically notes a season from "May 8 to October 13," with limited availability for last-minute bookings during peak season.
Varied site conditions: Site quality can vary significantly. A visitor to Augusta/Gardiner KOA reported, "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." Spring camping often encounters similar conditions due to snowmelt and rainfall.
Tidal considerations: Some waterfront properties have limitations based on tides. At Chewonki Campground, "The boat launching area is limited by the tidal stream, but offers terrific, quiet experiences not expected as close to route 1." Tidal shifts can vary by 8-10 feet in some coastal areas.
Reservation requirements: Advance bookings are essential during summer months. One camper at Papoose Pond noted they "already booked a spot for next year," indicating the competitive nature of securing preferred sites. Weekend bookings often require 2-3 month advance reservations for prime locations.
Tips for camping with families
Scheduled activities for children: Birches Lakeside Campground organizes regular family events. A camper reports: "Staff does a very good job at planned activities to keep children entertained." Activities typically include arts and crafts sessions at 10am and outdoor games at 2pm during summer weekends.
Playground accessibility: Consider proximity to restrooms and play areas. Poland Spring Campground has "a very rustic feel but the facilities are clean, updated and inviting. In their rec Hall they have pictures of activities over the years!" The playground areas typically accommodate ages 3-12.
Fire safety protocols: Most sites provide fire rings with required safety measures. Two Lakes Camping enforces quiet hours starting at 10pm, with fires required to be attended at all times and extinguished before leaving sites or sleeping.
Themed weekend events: Special programming occurs regularly at many glamping sites. Papoose Pond Family Campground receives consistent praise: "We've been camping as a large group here every year for 12 years. Perfect spot to relax and get away from everything. Great amount of amenities and privacy." Most themed weekends include Saturday night entertainment and Sunday morning activities.
Tips from RVers
Site accessibility: Some locations have challenging terrain for larger rigs. At Poland Spring Campground, visitors noted "Trees and roots everywhere making it impossible to take turns and forget about kids on bikes!" RVs longer than 30 feet should request specific sites with adequate turning radius.
Hookup options: Different campgrounds offer varying levels of service. One camper at Jellystone Park™ Androscoggin Lake shared that the campground has "water/electric/sewer but also tons of tent sites too." Full hookup sites typically cost $10-15 more per night than partial hookup options.
Winter storage options: Most locations don't offer year-round storage. Augusta/Gardiner KOA closes mid-October, requiring seasonal campers to relocate or store their rigs elsewhere during winter months.
Road conditions: Interior campground roads vary greatly in quality. A visitor to Augusta/Gardiner KOA noted, "There were very heavy rains the night before we arrived that washed out some of the roads." Spring visitors should call ahead regarding road conditions, especially for larger rigs.
