Camden Hills State Park Campground and the surrounding area offer multiple camping options within a 30-mile radius of Lincolnville, Maine. Located in the midcoast region where the Camden Hills meet Penobscot Bay, campgrounds sit at elevations ranging from sea level to 800 feet. Summer temperatures typically range from 55-80°F with nighttime temperatures requiring extra layers even in July.
What to do
Paddle the local waterways: Sennebec Lake Campground provides direct lake access for kayaking and swimming. "The proximity to the lake with easy access for kayaking and swimming" makes this location ideal for water enthusiasts, according to Pam A., who has returned for three consecutive years.
Hike the coastal trails: The Bar Harbor/Oceanside KOA offers unique views of Mount Desert Island. "The campground sits on both sides of Rt. 1, and the bottom side is more of a day use area with a pavilion and walking trails and sits on the water," notes Heather C. The top portion connects to hiking trails on Mount Megunticook and Mount Battie.
Experience local culture: Duck Puddle Campground organizes seasonal celebrations throughout the summer. "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 Saturday night and large bonfire," shares Rachel S., highlighting the community atmosphere.
Pick wild blueberries: Bar Harbor Campground offers free blueberry picking from mid-July to mid-August. "Blueberry fields free to pick July to August," mentions Tammy H. This makes for a uniquely Maine activity that costs nothing but provides delicious rewards.
What campers like
Private waterfront sites: Oceanfront Camping @ Reach Knolls features ocean-view sites with good spacing. "Site number 8 had unobstructed views of ocean and close to path to beach," notes Grace B. The outdoor shower facilities receive particular praise, with Chuck W. calling it "a great outdoor shower."
Community events: Searsport Shores Ocean Campground hosts arts and music gatherings throughout the season. "We got lucky and stayed on a lovely weekend in September that featured a small, intimate festival and workshop of fiddlers, banjos, ukuleles, mandolins, and guitars jamming with old time and blue grass music," shares Kathy L.
Clean facilities: Seawall Campground maintains well-kept bathroom facilities despite high visitor traffic. "They had nice clean bathroom facilities with running water, electricity, and a dish-wash station," reports Chuck Y., who appreciated that the walk-in sites prevented crowding from RVs and generators.
Yurt camping options: Several campgrounds near Lincolnville offer yurt accommodations, a step up from traditional tent camping without the commitment of an RV. "The grounds are well kept and the facilities were clean and inviting," notes Suetta T. about Sennebec Lake's glamping village, which includes yurt options.
What you should know
Reservation systems vary: While many campgrounds take standard reservations, Bar Harbor Campground operates differently. "No reservations taken so get there early to get good sites," advises Tammy H. Their unique system allows campers to "drive or walk around the section you are interested in and if you see someone packing up put a personal item (chair, table cloth, etc.). Then head to the office," explains Nancy W.
Shower facilities: Camden Hills State Park Campground provides free showers in clean bathhouses. "Free showers are located in the bathhouse/restrooms and were clean," notes Nancy W., though other campgrounds like Seawall charge for shower access.
Site selection matters: At Oceanfront Camping @ Reach Knolls, the site quality varies dramatically. "Most spots are wooded, but there are 8 non-wooded, open grassy sites at the front of the park, which have little shade," warns Heather C. about Camden Hills. At Reach Knolls, Amy G. cautions against one particular site: "If they try to give you site H5, just keep on moving."
Seasonal considerations: Duck Puddle Campground offers a better experience during shoulder seasons. "We love coming to Duck Puddle in the shoulder season (spring and fall) when it's quiet," recommends K.R., noting that waterfront sites "offer direct access to the lake and have trees between the site for a more private feel."
Tips for camping with families
Find campgrounds with activities: Sennebec Lake Campground offers structured programming for kids. "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 - just on the weekend we were there," reports Pam A.
Look for playground access: Bar Harbor/Oceanside KOA provides play facilities along with water access. "Nice family friendly campground," according to Rachel S., while Jimmy M. notes that at Camden Hills, the "'Playground' is a bit of a stretch," suggesting families might want more robust play options.
Choose walkable tent sites: Seawall Campground offers walk-in tent sites that create a safer environment for children. "The sites are all walk-to sites so you're not right on top of each other with a bunch of RVs and generators which was a huge plus," explains Chuck Y. This separation creates more space for kids to explore safely.
Consider yurt camping near Lincolnville: For families new to camping or wanting more comfort, yurt camping provides a middle ground. "Glamping tents near the beach" were recently added to Sennebec Lake Campground according to Ray N., providing families with camping comfort without needing extensive gear.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling requirements: Jason G. at Sennebec Lake Campground appreciated that "the sites across the water were level, with no extra leveling needed. We have a 35ft RV, and we faced no issues getting in and out of the property."
Hookup availability: Nancy W. notes that at Bar Harbor Campground, "All different types of sites are available from FHU, electric/water, or primitive sites. Each site has a picnic table and fire ring."
Road navigation: Nancy also advises that "Roads in the park are paved but some corners can be a little tight for big-rigs, best to unhitch your tow car up front in case you have to back up."
Water system considerations: Missy R. warns that at Camden Hills, "they are doing work on their water system so none of their water is potable" during her 2025 visit, reminding RVers to check on current utility status before arriving.
