Camden Hills State Park Campground stands 3 miles north of downtown Camden at an elevation of 800 feet, providing a strategic base for exploring the mid-Maine coast. The 5,700-acre park connects directly to Lincolnville Center through hiking trails and scenic drives. Winter camping isn't available in this region, with most sites operating seasonally from May through October when temperatures typically range from 55-75°F.
What to do
Hiking Mt. Battie: Access the trail directly from Camden Hills State Park Campground for panoramic coastal views. The moderate trail climbs 800 feet to a summit with views of Penobscot Bay. "One of the real pluses of this park were the miles and miles of hiking trails just outside our doorstep. Driving the tour road to the summit of Mt. Battie is a must and the views are spectacular," notes Nancy W.
Kayaking Sennebec Lake: Launch from the beach area at Sennebec Lake Campground for calm water paddling. Rentals available on-site for $25 per half-day. "The proximity to the lake with easy access for kayaking and swimming" makes this location ideal according to Pam A., who returns annually with her family.
Explore coastal towns: Use the free Island Explorer shuttle from Bar Harbor Campground to visit nearby towns without parking hassles. "The shuttle has various routes and stops on Mount Desert Island and Acadia NP. The shuttle stops at the campground so you can hitch a ride downtown or to the park and not have to worry about parking," explains Nancy W.
What campers like
Wooded privacy: Sites at Duck Puddle Campground offer secluded spots with trees between sites. "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," reports K R.
Fresh lobster delivery: Oceanfront Camping @ Reach Knolls arranges for local lobstermen to deliver directly to your campsite. "Highly highly recommend getting fresh lobster from the local lobster man that lives on the grounds, they even supply you with a pot to boil them! (ask for the recipe) How much more could you ask for from a campsite," writes Andrew B.
Craft activities: Searsport Shores Ocean Campground hosts regular arts workshops and music events. "This place is so much more than a beautiful campground nestled among gorgeous old growth trees located right on the shore. It's also a treasure trove of arts of all kinds - fiber arts, metal sculptures, carvings, paintings, and music," shares Kathy L.
What you should know
No-reservation policy: Bar Harbor Campground operates on a first-come, first-served basis. "Show up, find an empty spot. Pay for it and it's yours," explains Celeste M. Early arrival is essential during peak season (July-August).
Limited shower facilities: Glamping close to Lincolnville Center, Maine often means shared facilities. At Seawall Campground, "There are no showers at the campground. The shower house is located in a separate facility about a mile from the campground entrance," notes Ashlee L.
Cell service variability: Reception varies significantly between campgrounds. At Camden Hills, "The Verizon signal on our phone and wifi on our hotspot were strong. The park does have free wifi at most campsites and the signal was very strong. (Sites #68-81 do not have wifi)," shares Nancy W.
Tips for camping with families
Blueberry picking: Visit Bar Harbor Campground between mid-July and mid-August for on-site wild blueberry picking. "Blueberry fields free to pick July to August," mentions Tammy H., making this a free family activity right from your site.
Plan weekend activities: Town Line Camping and Duck Puddle Campground both offer scheduled weekend events. "They had a band play on Saturday night and large bonfire. Everyone was invited to attend if they wanted to. Nice family friendly campground," notes Rachel S.
Choose sites strategically: For glamping experiences near Lincolnville Center with children, select sites close to amenities. "The campgrounds website has a very helpful map showing which sites are reservable and what they offer," explains Nancy W. at Camden Hills State Park.
Tips from RVers
Access challenges: Many upscale glamping sites near Lincolnville Center have limited access for larger vehicles. "Not all sites are reservable leaving the other half for walk-ups. I would advise making reservations if you want to stay over a weekend or during the summer season as this park really fills up. There are a limited number of sites for those over 35 feet," cautions Nancy W.
Hookup availability: Full-service sites are limited in the region. "All different types of sites are available from FHU, electric/water, or primitive sites. Each site has a picnic table and fire ring," notes Nancy W., highlighting the importance of checking site specifics before booking.
Uneven terrain: Many sites require leveling. "The site we had was on the water and had great views. It was surrounded by trees and had decent spacing between neighbors," reports Rachel S., though other reviewers noted challenges with site drainage and grading.
