Camping spots near Madison, Maine sit along the western edge of the Kennebec River watershed, approximately 150 feet above sea level. The region experiences warm summers with temperatures averaging 75-80°F in July and August, while spring and fall camping seasons bring cooler temperatures with overnight lows that can dip into the 40s. Most campgrounds in the area close by mid-October due to frost conditions that typically arrive by late September.
What to do
ATV trail access: The Evergreens Campground connects directly to the region's extensive ATV trail network, making it convenient for riders. "If you want to ride ATV trails, fish and swim in the Kennebec River, ride mountain bikes on the Kennebec rail trail this is a great place to stay," notes one camper, though they caution about "truck traffic on the nearby roads" during morning hours.
Water activities: Free boat usage is available at Two Rivers Campground, where campers can borrow canoes, kayaks and pedal boats. "One of the nice features is that they offer free use of their canoes/kayaks/peddle boats. You reserve a 2-hour time slot, and they provide you with the paddles and life jackets," shares one visitor who stayed for three nights.
Hiking opportunities: The region offers access to several mountain trails within driving distance. At Deer Farm Camps & Campground, one visitor noted it was "an ideal location" for hiking, explaining: "I stayed here because of its proximity to the Fire Warden trail up Mt. Abram... It's not far to the peaks in the Bigelow Preserve, Sugarloaf, Spaulding, or the Crockers, either."
What campers like
Waterfront sites: Riverside camping spots are particularly sought after in the Madison area. At Two Rivers Campground, certain sites offer premium water views: "Some of the RV sites are located parallel to the river so your patio is open to the river and you have an unobstructed water view," though these particular sites "are fairly short and would not accommodate larger RVs."
Themed activities: Seasonal camping events create unique experiences at Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park Camp-Resort in Madison. "Every week is themed. My family goes every year for magic pumpkin week which includes TRICK OR TREATING IN SEPTEMBER. My nieces and nephews love it!" explains one enthusiastic reviewer.
Rural seclusion: Private camping sites provide a quieter alternative to established campgrounds. At Alderbrook Camp Site, a single private rental site offers solitude with amenities: "This is private land that the owner rents to campers. It is a lovely single camp site with great views and fields... The view was expansive and beautiful, with wonderful sunsets." The site includes full hookups and walking trails.
What you should know
Bug activity: Horse flies can be problematic during summer months at certain camping locations. At Alderbrook Camp Site, one camper warned: "The only challenge is we stayed in July, and the horse flys were viscous. They were not by the campsite, but were abundant on the trails, and I literally had to run to get back to the camper to minimize the bites."
Limited cell service: Many camping areas near Madison have poor connectivity. At Happy Horseshoe Campground, while praising other aspects, visitors note the remoteness affects communication. The campground is "about 12 miles south of a point on the AT" and in these rural areas, cell reception becomes increasingly unreliable.
Campground conditions: Quality varies significantly between campgrounds in the region. Abnaki Family Camping Center received mixed reviews, with one camper noting: "The campground was very loud - lots of music, yelling, just loud. There is garbage everywhere - like bags of it on the deck of the 'camp store' that doesn't appear to be used anymore. And junk all over."
Tips for camping with families
Kid-focused amenities: Family campgrounds often provide structured entertainment options. At Skowhegan Kennebec Valley KOA, families appreciate the recreational setup: "Great 1st KOA experience. Tons of stuff to do- great playground, tractor rides. Store was well stocked," shared one visitor who "met lots of awesome people" during their stay.
Water recreation: Swimming options are important for families during summer months. Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park at Yonder Hill features "a great little fishing pond, cabins and a Treehouse! Fun swimming pool and sooo many kid's activities," according to one repeat visitor who has been "3-4 times and had an amazing time watch the kids."
Community events: Some campgrounds organize regular social activities. Happy Horseshoe Campground offers "a lot of planned activities and live entertainment on Saturday night" creating what one visitor described as "a warm community environment." Another camper mentioned "Buster serves up Bean-Hole Beans every Saturday evening. It's a Mainer thing."
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Water view sites require careful planning at Two Rivers Campground. "We had a long pull-thru site that was located under pine trees which provided welcomed shade since the temperatures were in the high 80's. The first site we were assigned was in the direct sun so we asked to move to a shady site and they were very accommodating."
Surface conditions: Ground composition affects comfort at some sites. At Two Rivers, one reviewer noted: "One of the downsides is the loud road noise from Route 2. The other thing we didn't like was that our patio was a mix and sand and dirt which made for a mess in the RV and not a great place for our dog to lay in."
Amenities access: Proximity to facilities varies by site. At Sandy Beach Campground, one RVer cautioned: "Knocked off one star for the lack of privacy between sites and for the price ($70+ for essentially a parking spot with water/electricity is a bit much—at least make the showers free! lol)." The campground does offer coin-operated showers and laundry facilities.
