Best Campgrounds near Machias, ME

Whether you're an RVer or tent camper, Machias, ME is a great place to post up for the weekend—or longer. Machias is a great camping destination for everyone. There are tons of nearby hikes, adventurous activities, and sights to see. You're sure to find the perfect spot for your Maine camping adventure.

Best Camping Sites Near Machias, Maine (74)

    1. Cobscook Bay State Park Campground

    29 Reviews
    Whiting, ME
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (207) 726-4412

    $20 / night

    "We had a tent site (53) that had a short root-laden walk into the site, but not bad and well worth the bay view."

    "One of the best campgrounds we’ve been to in America, beautiful views, close to amazing hiking (highly recommend bold coast trail)."

    2. Cutler Coast Public Land — Cutler Coast Ecological Reserve

    7 Reviews
    Whiting, ME
    15 miles
    Website

    "The coast of Maine offers very few places for overnight backpacking or even just seaside hiking. The Cutler Coast Public Reserved Land is one great option."

    "This is probably the most beautiful coastal location in the state of Maine. The campsites are very limited and this is a popular spot. Show up early to get one!"

    3. Cottonwood Camping & RV Park

    4 Reviews
    Addison, ME
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (207) 598-8497

    "The very clean restrooms were located nearby , which was convient. The staff was so friendly and very accommodating."

    "This is the first campground we have stayed at that has ATV trail access, horse friendly camping, full hookups, pull through sites, tent camping, tent rentals, teepee rentals, "tiny bird cabin", and a"

    4. Tom's Retreat on Gardner Lake

    1 Review
    Machiasport, ME
    7 miles
    +1 (347) 595-3963

    $42 / night

    "Brought our own kayak to enjoy Gardner and Second Lakes!"

    5. South Bay on Rocky Lake

    2 Reviews
    Whitneyville, ME
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (207) 941-4412

    "After turning off the highway you take a dirt road for about a mile until you see a sign for the campsites."

    "Picked this location because it was close to several locations we could take day trips to the coast.

    Visited Bar Harbor, Eastport and several places in between."

    6. Sunset Point Campground

    6 Reviews
    Addison, ME
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (207) 483-4412

    "Nice old fashioned campground on a classic Maine Bay. Full hookups or tent sites with grass and trees"

    "Nice old fashioned campground on a classic Maine Bay. Full hookups or tent sites with grass and trees. Tmobile 4g with a strong signal"

    7. Mud Landing On Rocky Lake

    1 Review
    Whitneyville, ME
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (207) 941-4412

    8. Blackwoods Campground — Acadia National Park

    94 Reviews
    Seal Harbor, ME
    45 miles
    Website
    +1 (207) 288-3274

    $30 - $60 / night

    "Close proximity to Bar Harbor and a lot of the main attractions of the national park. Showers are just outside of the entrance to the campground, coin operated."

    "Super short walk down a path to the oceans edge complete with cliffs, rocks and waves!! Just really a lovely place to camp. Close to many other attractions in the park!"

    9. Long Point — Cutler Coast Ecological Reserve

    1 Review
    Whiting, ME
    16 miles
    Website

    "This spot is situated right along the Maine coast and has one heck of a view, not to mention a nice gravel beach!"

    10. Jonesport Campground

    1 Review
    Roque Bluffs, ME
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (207) 263-6576

    $35 / night

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Recent Reviews near Machias, ME

478 Reviews of 74 Machias Campgrounds


  • Mindie C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 6, 2025

    Bar Harbor/Oceanside KOA

    Great stay

    The campground is beautiful. The sunsets amazing. We are so close to all the activities in the area. People are super friendly and the staff is helpful.

  • Jim S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 15, 2025

    Hadley's Point Campground

    Nice looking park ! clean

    Nice site one of the more expensive campgrounds in the area. Polite staff I asked if I could rinse off the front and back of Airstream as they have dusty roads here. The said no not even without soap. I asked no we are on a well. First time I was told no in two years of travel . Even in upscale parks most let you rinse the bugs off

    Not a real complaint just a note .

  • Snooz H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 11, 2025

    Acadia Seashore Camping and Cabins

    Beautiful spot but...Meh...🤦🏼‍♀️

    So we got there & was escorted to our spot which seemed nice. It took awhile to get rid of them so we could get set up.

    We got everything set and we have a mat we put down. Well, the grass is like straw & we were not allowed to have the mat on their dead grass??

    In our spot, for 6 nights, we had no shade at all!!! All these nice ocean front ones that were there we assigned to people there for 2-3 days! Wth!!!

    Their honey wagon waa broke down so we had to pull everything in to empty our grey water.

    I went and asked about how much the laundry machines were and 30 mins later it was a little painful. You have to sign up to do laundry and schedule your time. Ok, well I did 2 loads for $14 and my hours was up and one load was not completely dry. She explained that ONE TIME some families got their clothes mixed up as they were all trying to leave at one morning. So, instead of them looking at this as an exception, they put this sign up system in place. So, complete overreaction and changed every other's experience in the future.

    As our neighbor described it as a RIDGED HOA. The kind that worry about everything you do and don't do.

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 6, 2025

    Bar Harbor/Oceanside KOA

    Great choice

    The Campground offers basically everything that’s needed for a good experience. There are kids amenities and activities, there’s a shop inside of the campground with a little of everything you might need. We rented a site next to the ocean, and it was great!

  • jThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 1, 2025

    Bar Harbor/Oceanside KOA

    Best camp views of 2025 season

    I’m always appreciative when booking KOA. This site did not disappoint. Tricky parking but wonderful to have the views to myself and one other neighbor. Beach front, able to swim and SUP right from the campsite. Amazing fire pit. Bathrooms are far, and only 3 showers, one was down. But they were clean. Overall will book again.

  • Clean Slate D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 1, 2025

    Mount Desert Campground

    The best Campground in Maine

    This place is the perfect mix of feeling like you're rustic camping on the water with decent amenities. Not many RV's will fit so, mostly tent camping. Un-level sites have platforms to put your tent on. The office even has hammer and nails for you to use to secure everything. Fresh ground local coffee every morning and local Giffords ice cream at night at their "Gathering Place". Kids ride their bikes everywhere. I'd say kids get to be just the right amount of feral here. It's a safe, quiet and fun park. Best you'll find on MDI and in Maine. It's one of our top in the USA, to be honest.

  • Suzy M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 30, 2025

    Cottonwood Camping & RV Park

    Pleasant owner, Excellent baths,

    Good stop between Millinocket and Acadia Nat'l Park. Very accessible owner. Outstanding bath facilities w/ United hot water, (free too!)

  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 28, 2025

    Blackwoods Campground — Acadia National Park

    Clean, quiet, beautiful

    Despite being a fully booked campground our stay was very enjoyable. It was quiet, other campers were respectful. The bathrooms are dated but clean. There is a designated dishwashing drain to keep animals away from the campsites. Best part though was the lack of biting flies and mosquitoes!

  • MThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 19, 2025

    Hadley's Point Campground

    Down East

    Nice campground if you are small and can get some shade otherwise you are in a field with little or no shade.


Guide to Machias

Camping near Machias, Maine, offers a fantastic opportunity to enjoy the great outdoors while exploring beautiful landscapes and local attractions. With several campgrounds in the area, you can find the perfect spot to set up camp and enjoy nature.

What to do:

  • Hiking: Explore the numerous trails in Acadia National Park. One camper mentioned, "I love that the southern ridge trailhead for Cadillac mountain leaves from the campgrounds and connects to a bunch of other trails" at Blackwoods Campground.
  • Wildlife Watching: Keep an eye out for local wildlife. A visitor at Seawall Campground noted, "Many other reviewers have reported seeing Moose near or in the campground here."
  • Kayaking: Take advantage of the nearby water for kayaking. A review for Cobscook Bay State Park Campground highlighted, "The kayaking is great."

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate well-maintained restrooms. One reviewer at Mount Desert Campground said, "Restrooms were very clean and there was plenty of hot water for the coin-operated showers."
  • Privacy: Many sites offer a sense of seclusion. A camper at Schoodic Woods Campground mentioned, "The sites are carefully designed so that although you might hear your neighbor you likely will not see them."
  • Friendly Staff: Campers often rave about the helpfulness of campground staff. A visitor at Smuggler's Den Campground shared, "Check-in was easy and staff was friendly."

What you should know:

  • Reservations: Some campgrounds do not take reservations. A camper at Bar Harbor Campground noted, "This campground is huge, and takes no reservations, so it works great for us who don’t like to plan ahead."
  • Limited Amenities: Not all campgrounds have showers or electric hookups. A review for Schoodic Woods Campground stated, "There are no showers onsite so come prepared."
  • Bug Spray is Essential: Mosquitoes can be a nuisance. A camper at Cobscook Bay State Park Campground advised, "Definitely bring insect repellent and/or a screen room."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Family-Friendly Activities: Look for campgrounds with amenities for kids. A reviewer at Smuggler's Den Campground mentioned, "The playground was great for the kids."
  • Quiet Hours: Be mindful of noise during quiet hours. One camper at Hadley's Point Campground noted, "The only problem was kids running around during quiet hour."
  • Plan for Meals: Some campgrounds have stores for snacks and essentials. A visitor at Bar Harbor/Oceanside KOA said, "The camp store was well stocked."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Sizes: Make sure your RV fits the site. A camper at Schoodic Woods Campground advised, "Choose your site carefully if you have a large rig."
  • Dump Stations: Know where the dump stations are located. A review for Hadley's Point Campground mentioned, "The only negative was lack of enough sewer necessitating a $12 pump out."
  • Wi-Fi Availability: Be aware that Wi-Fi can be spotty. A visitor at Mt Desert Narrows Camping Resort noted, "WiFi is sketchy with low signal and frequent drops."

Camping near Machias, Maine, provides a mix of adventure and relaxation, making it a great destination for families, RVers, and nature lovers alike.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where are the best campgrounds in Machias, Maine?

The Machias area offers several excellent camping options. Machias Rips Campsite provides a beautiful riverfront experience with 2 RV sites, 3 tent sites, and a lean-to shelter right on the river bank. For those seeking more seclusion, Third Machias Lake - Machias River Cooridor offers primitive camping accessible via the Little River Road. The area also features South Bay on Rocky Lake near East Machias for a more rustic, free camping experience. Additionally, the region has several dispersed camping options along the Machias River Corridor Public Lands, ideal for paddlers and hikers looking for a wilderness experience.

Is there a state park with camping options in Machias?

While there isn't a state park directly in Machias, Cobscook Bay State Park Campground is the closest state park with camping facilities, located about 45 minutes from Machias. This park offers private, remote sites with spectacular bay views - some campers particularly recommend site 53 for its water views. The park is known for its pristine environment and serves as an excellent base for exploring Maine's rugged Downeast coast. For those willing to travel a bit further, Lamoine State Park Campground provides another state park option within reasonable driving distance of the Machias area.

Are RV rentals available in the Machias area?

RV rentals are limited directly in Machias, but there are options in the broader region. Mainstay Cottages & RV Park in Winter Harbor (about an hour from Machias) offers a small RV site with great ocean views. For those planning to bring their own RV, Cottonwood Camping & RV Park near Columbia Falls provides suitable facilities with big-rig-friendly sites. To rent an RV in this region, you'll likely need to arrange it from larger towns like Bangor or Ellsworth and drive to your destination. Many visitors to the area bring their own RVs rather than renting locally due to the limited rental options in this rural part of Maine.