The camping season around Manchester, Maine typically spans late April through October, with daily temperatures averaging 70-80°F in summer. The region sits among several interconnected lakes and ponds in central Maine's Kennebec Valley, with most campgrounds positioned at elevations between 200-400 feet above sea level. Winter snow typically melts completely by late April, allowing for early season camping at most established sites.
What to do
Disc golf at multiple difficulty levels: Jellystone Park Androscoggin Lake features a full disc golf course suitable for beginners and experienced players. "Amazing campground. Has a lot of stuff for kids including playground, pool, water slides, canoeing, kayaking, mini golf and disc golf," notes camper Peter F.
Kayaking on smaller waterways: The streams and ponds offer calmer water alternatives to the larger lakes in the region. At Martin Stream Campground, "There is a beautiful nature trail along the stream!" according to Dawn, with several kayak and canoe rental options available for exploring the waterway.
Fishing from dedicated docks: Multiple campgrounds maintain fishing docks where catching sunfish and other local species is common. "The sites are level but the campground is in a hill. There is lots of room for kids to play," explains Kelly F. at Augusta/Gardiner KOA, which maintains several fishing spots.
Beach swimming with floating platforms: Several campgrounds offer designated swimming areas with floating platforms. "Great beach for swimming, playground for playing," shares Andrew G. about Duck Puddle Campground, which maintains both shallow entry points and deeper swimming areas with platforms.
What campers like
Wildlife viewing opportunities: The lakes and forests provide habitat for diverse wildlife. At Augusta West Kampground, campers report remarkable bird watching. "This a beautiful spot, right on the Lake, listened to the loons, watched Canadian Geese with their goslings and saw a bald eagle swoop down," shares Michi P.
Seasonal themed weekends: Many campgrounds host special events throughout the season. "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 Sat night and large bonfire," reports Rachel S. about Duck Puddle Campground.
Waterfront site options: Direct water access is highly valued by campers. "We love coming to Duck Puddle in the shoulder season (spring and fall) when it's quiet. The waterfront sites (61-66) offer direct access to the lake and have trees between the site for a more private feel," explains K R.
Family-focused activities: Birches Lakeside Campground emphasizes organized activities for families. "Staff does a very good job at planned activities to keep children entertained," notes Erika H., making it popular for families with children of various ages.
What you should know
Tent site locations vary significantly: At many campgrounds, tent sites are grouped together in specific areas. "Tent sites are grouped together apart from the other sites. All sites offer electrical, only one offers sewer," reports Jean C. about More to Life Campground.
Early booking essential for waterfront: Prime waterfront sites book months in advance, especially for summer weekends. "We would have chosen lakefront but they were just water and electric and since we were staying 4 days we chose the full hookup in a nicely wooded site," explains Carol C. at Duck Puddle Campground.
Terrain challenges at some sites: Many campgrounds have uneven terrain. "This campground is in need of upgrading. There were very heavy rains the night before we arrived that washed out some of the roads. Our site was quite wet," warns Ron about Augusta/Gardiner KOA.
Limited facilities at smaller campgrounds: Tiny Cabins of Maine offers a different camping experience with more primitive facilities. "Despite some distant road noise at night, the overall ambiance was serene and beautiful. The tent camping amenities, including the pop-up toilet and sturdy wooden platform, were thoughtfully provided," reports Paige A.
Tips for camping with families
Adult-only swimming times: Some campgrounds schedule specific adult swimming periods. "For parents; live entertainment with local bands on Saturday nights, an adult only swim nightly. Playground is close enough to the pool to actually enjoy this while listening to my kids play," notes Angela M. at Jellystone Park Androscoggin Lake.
Themed activity planning: Many campgrounds run organized events. "This family friendly campground offers theme weekends and scheduled actives for Adults and kids," explains April R. about Birches Lakeside Campground, where activities are typically scheduled throughout weekends and holidays.
Faith-based options available: More to Life Campground provides a Christian-oriented camping experience. "Christian based, Nice, clean, family friendly campground. Plenty to do with the family including a beach, playground, water activities, and crafts! Fun activities every week and a nice game room," shares Ashley V.
Playground proximity matters: When selecting a site, note the distance to playgrounds. "We could have chosen lakefront but they were just water and electric and since we were staying 4 days we chose the full hookup in a nicely wooded site. There is a place to put your boat in if you have it, laundry, dock, fishing, camp store and I thought a great playground and field are if u have kids with u," recommends Carol C.
Tips from RVers
Road width considerations: Many campground roads were designed before larger RVs became common. "The roads can be very narrow if you have a long rig," notes camper Tammy H. about Jellystone Park Androscoggin Lake, highlighting a common challenge in the region's older campgrounds.
Seasonal site options: For frequent visitors, seasonal sites offer convenience. "This is our third year as a 'Seasonal' at Martin Stream Campground and after camping at other campgrounds this is 'the place to be' for relaxation, activities, a friendly camping environment," explains a camper at Martin Stream.
Dump station policies vary: Check campground policies regarding dump stations. "There are no sewer hookups (which is fine) but you are only allowed ONE use at dump station upon leaving the campground," reports Rod L. about Martin Stream Campground.
Site leveling requirements: Some campgrounds have sloping terrain. "We had a wonderful 4 days at Duck Puddle. An amazing view of the lake from a site that was very level," shares Sara B., highlighting the importance of checking site terrain when booking larger rigs.
