Campgrounds near Lamoine, Maine offer diverse options for RV travel in the coastal Maine region. Most parks operate seasonally from mid-May to mid-October, with the majority closing by late October before winter weather arrives. Water views are common at many RV sites near Lamoine, Maine, though tide considerations affect both scenic views and water access, with tidal changes of 10-12 feet typical along this stretch of coastline.
What to do
Kayaking from campground water access: West Bay Acadia RV Campground provides direct water access for launching kayaks. "There is a nice path leading to an overlook and down to the water which is tidal. Just make sure you paddle around high tide or else you will be slogging your watercraft through a soft mucky clam flat," notes one visitor.
Hike the less-crowded Schoodic Peninsula: Mainstay Cottages & RV Park puts you minutes from this section of Acadia National Park. A camper shares, "About an hours drive to the main Acadia but just 5 minutes to the Schoodic Peninsula." This area offers similar granite landscapes with significantly fewer visitors than the main park.
Explore scenic farm-to-table options: Local organic farms complement the seafood scene. "The nearby town of Gouldsboro has a delicious little ice cream stand and the Pickled Wrinkle restaurant serves great food. Live lobster can be bought off the dock at the nearby town of Corea," according to a West Bay camper.
What campers like
Quieter alternatives to Bar Harbor: Timberland Acres RV Park in Ellsworth provides strategic positioning. "The campground is surrounded by beautiful trees. A good location between Ellsworth and Bar Harbor," notes one visitor who found it "clean and quiet" with "very clean" bathrooms and showers.
Waterfront camping options: Many campsites offer direct ocean or pond views. A visitor to Mt Desert Narrows Camping Resort reported, "We got a site on the water with lots of room. Water and 30-amp electric, some are full hook up, and a dump station. The site was easy to get into, and reasonably level. Lots of shade, and a steady breeze off the water."
Spacious sites: Several campgrounds provide generous spacing between sites. At Greenlaw's RV Park, a camper noted, "This is a wonderful campground with sites with lots of privacy. We stayed for a month and were very happy with our stay." Most campgrounds have gravel sites with some grass areas between.
What you should know
Water quality concerns: Multiple campgrounds have water issues to consider. "When we turned in the tap the water ran brown," noted one camper at Mt Desert Narrows. Another mentioned, "The rust level is high in this campground so I didn't feel comfortable washing laundry."
Tide changes affect waterfront sites: Many oceanfront sites experience dramatic tide shifts. "While the tide is out it's just a gross area of mud, muck, and rocks. We couldn't even kayak because the tide is that dramatic," explained a camper at Moorings Oceanfront RV Resort.
Off-season advantages: Spring and fall offer less crowding with some trade-offs. One visitor to Narrows Too noted, "The shoulder season here is the best time to come. Preferably in the spring before mid-June or the fall when the leaves are changing color. Not all businesses and restaurants will be open before mid-June but you will have far less crowds than in the busy summer months."
Tips for camping with families
Pool availability varies by campground: Not all parks have swimming pools. A visitor to Narrows Too Camping Resort advised, "I would primarily recommend this campsite for retirees and couples without children. The park doesn't offer many kid-friendly amenities beyond the pool, so families with young children might find it lacking in entertainment options."
Kid-friendly campground features: Some parks offer dedicated recreation areas. At Mt Desert Narrows Camping Resort, one camper reported, "The kids loved playing on the playground and going down to the water at low tide."
Wildlife awareness: Evening wildlife activity requires supervision. "Be aware of skunks at night. They are everywhere in the campground," warned a visitor to Narrows Too.
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategies: Placement within campgrounds significantly affects the experience. At Timberland Acres, a visitor suggested, "I would recommend requesting a site other than 66 or 67 because it backs right up to the water pump system for the RV park, which is quite loud when the pump turns on and off."
Utility challenges: Hook-ups and infrastructure vary across parks. A visitor to Pumpkin Patch RV Resort appreciated that "Most sites are level and there are long pull thrus so you don't have to unhitch if you are only staying one night. All the hook-ups were well-placed and we did not need extensions to connect."
Grocery and supply options: Strategic shopping can save money. One visitor to Mt Desert Narrows Camping Resort advised, "Grab groceries in Ellsworth if you want to save $."
