Top Tent Camping near Mapleton, ME
Searching for a tent campsite near Mapleton? Finding a place to camp in Maine with your tent has never been easier. From remote to easy-to-reach, these Mapleton campsites are perfect for tent campers.
Best Tent Sites Near Mapleton, ME (1)
1. Trout Brook Farm Campground — Baxter State Park
2 Reviews•3 Photos•30 SavesPark Tote Road is a narrow gravel road and can not accommodate vehicles over 9 feet high, 7 feet wide, or 22 feet long for a single vehicle or 44 feet long for combined unit.
- Fires
- Reservable
- Tents
- Group
- Picnic Table
- Firewood Available
Recent Tent Reviews In Mapleton
31 Reviews of 1 Mapleton Campgrounds
Deboullie Public Lands
Deboullie Public Land
Must check-in at a North Maine Woods checkpoint and pay the hefty entrance plus camping fees to stay in this public land. After quite a drive, cross your fingers and hope people aren't occupying multiple sites or holding for others (we ran into this issue--sites seem to be two right next to each other throughout this area, so people would set up a tent or place their trailer in order to not have a neighbor right on top of them.) We got there late morning on a Friday and grabbed the only site that was open after being told we'd have plenty to choose from when checking in (which, I'm sure there would have been several open if people weren't occupying multiple sites). But anyway, my husband and I were happy enough with our site--just frustrated with some of the other campers making the experience more difficult than it needed to be. The weird part was everyone cleared out Saturday morning/early afternoon and we had the whole section to ourselves. Besides all that, great hiking and kayaking in the area.
Shin Pond Village Campground
Shin Pond Village
Nice, quiet stay in an RV site along the woods. Washed off in the showers then enjoyed tasty food and beverages at the restaurant/bar on site. Despite what the website says, there was no laundry here--an employee said it's been a few years since they had that available, unfortunately.
Neil E Michaud Campground
Most peaceful. Friendly people.
This was a great place to camp. Quiet at night. The woman that runs it is really nice. Cheap for RVs too. We had electric, Wi-Fi, and water on our tent site.
Houlton/Canandian Border KOA
Great getaway, cannot wait to go back.
This was a great two day tent camping trip. KOA’s are not always known for their tent sites but this one has a decent amount of them and the DMZ area between the RV’s and the tents is adequate so your not pitching your tent right next to an RV: our campsite was slightly off the beaten path which was exactly what we wanted. Good quite relaxing weekend . They have recently installed a new pool here so if it gets hot you have that great amenity. They also have the mining for gems activity that you see at some KOA’s and all my kids enjoyed that. The bathrooms were super clean. Kids enjoyed finding frogs in all their ponds. They have also added two “glamping tents” which look nice. The family enjoyed this so much we plan on making this an annual trip to this specific campground. This used to be “my brother place” campground and from what I gather significant upgrades have been made. Disclaimer : I know one of the owners but my review is honest.
Birch Haven Campground
Cousy
I liked staying here
Shin Pond Village Campground
Good experience after our RV had to be pulled out of the mud.
Shin Pond is this sprawling mix of campground, cabins, restaurant, event space, gas station, convenient store, and off-road vehicle rentals. The campground has about 30 campsites and is separated into two sections bisected by Route 159 (which is busy with loud logging trucks and UTV’s). One side has 50-amp campsites and cabins and the other side is 30-amp. There is a separate area for tents that is really pretty and sits along a brook that divides north and south Shin Ponds.
Sites are grass with very little gravel and, as we found out, they can be very soft. We pulled into our site (#21) and before we knew it our 45’ (47,000 lbs) RV was stuck. Unbeknownst to us, three inches of rain had recently fallen and our site which was downhill was saturated. The campground owner had to pull us out with his huge tractor which as we found out was not the first time a camper had to be pulled out of a soft site in that campground. Luckily, it was a pull-in site so he could attach a chain to the hitch on the back of our RV as there is no way to pull from the front without causing damage.
All sites have water, picnic table, and fire pit. There is no sewer but there is a dump station and a “blue boy” for you to use and dump your own tanks. They do not have a pump-out service. The dump station is easy to access and has a hose for you to flush your tanks and a dedicated potable water spigot. The dump station is at the back of a busy parking lot that serves the restaurant, laundry, bath/shower house, and the fuel pump so it can be quite busy and congested. We didn’t eat at the restaurant but others said it was very good. There is also a well-stocked store which sells a variety of souvenirs, food, beer, ice cream, and camping necessities.
No cell or internet reception with our Verizon phone. The campground does have wifi but the signal was not strong enough to get reception reliably at our site. You pretty much have to be at the office in order to get it but that’s ok because they have lots of picnic tables and places to sit.
Shin Pond rents Polaris UTV and snowmobiles, canoes, and kayaks in the summer and snowmobiles in the winter. We went on a UTV ride one day and were treated to some beautiful views. Just a few miles down the road is a short hiking trail leading to Shin Pond Falls and another trail that runs along the Seboeis river which is a beautiful hike. The campground is close to the northern entrances to Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument and Baxter State Park which is the major reason why we stayed there. We loved exploring these parks where you have access to beautiful hiking trails and lakes and ponds and is not as crowded as the southern areas. Note that dogs are not allowed in Baxter State Park and there are restrictions on vehicle sizes. The nearest town is Patten (about 15 minutes away) and has a hardware store, gift shop, full-service grocery, fuel, restaurants, and the Lumberman’s Museum.
Aroostook State Park Campground
Quiet Campground
Nice quiet campground on the side of the Quaggy Jo Mt. in Presque Isle. Most sites are very spacious. Only 30 sites. Nice trails in the park. A few hookup sites.
Lakeview Camping Resort
Great View!
This campsite was clean and quiet and provided a great distant view of Long Lake and the surrounding area. We were there for the long Labor Day weekend and took one of the only full spots available which unfortunately was in one of the areas of the campground where sites were very small and close together. There were some campsites that had great views of the lake and larger lots. They seemed mostly occupied by seasonal campers. The check in was at the very busy restaurant which was somewhat of an odd setup, along with the site entrance which seems to also be a 4 wheeler trail which was a bit confusing. Cell service was pretty much non-existent, but there was free WiFi available that seemed to have good reach. Sites were well-groomed, amenities were nicely kept and the entire campsite was pleasant, very quiet and relaxing. Overall, it was a good experience.
Neil E Michaud Campground
Opportunistic
Nothing special except they are the only dump station in the area... and take advantage of this. They charge 3 times more than all others to dump.
Arndt's Aroostook River Lodge & Campground
huge grassy sites
I stayed here for 4 nights and enjoyed the Crown of Maine balloon fest, geocaching, fishing, and exploring. This is primarily an RV park, although there is a section dedicated to tent camping. There are HUGE, level, terraced sites stretching up the hill. My site(74) was so large that there could have been 4 vehicles with teardrops and had space left over; others used their space for RVs or There’s a picnic table and fire ring. Verizon cell service was good; wifi is available near the camp office/store.
Clare was quickly responsive to emails and friendly.
Hookups are either water/electric or water/electric/sewer. If you need to use the dump station, there’s a charge for that. It’s located just across from the office and can make for tight entry if someone is dumping while you’re arriving. Many of the sites are pull-through, which means the hook-up location is not an issue, but for the back-in sites on the hill, the hookups are on the ‘wrong’ side. You’ll either need to pull straight in(for many rigs, it looked like that was doable, or run the cords under the trailer.
A centralized bath house offers clean showers and flush toilets. Tent sites separated from the RV sites, some up a hill with a combination of small shaded sizes tucked into the woods and an open grassy area for ones farthest up the hill, but there are a few sites(4-8) are all wooded. Site 12 is a small bunkhouse.
Shade was at a premium. The small tree at the back of my site afforded minimal shade; I sat on the shady side of my teardrop for some relief from the 90+ temps. The pool was closed for renovation. Laundry is available; you need to stay in the laundry room while it's in progress. A game room is also available with ping pong and foosball.
The Aroostook river was down the hill and across the street. Swimming, kayaking, canoeing, ATVing, fishing, biking, and hunting are all activities to keep you busy. Don’t have a canoe or kayak? They’re available for rental at the campground. They can also provide a shuttle. If you’re preference runs to golf, there’s an 18-hole course next door. A number of the sites near the top of the hill are seasonal; they are clean and neat.
The hilltop location provides a great view of the sky, but you will experience some light pollution from RVers who are fans of rope lights and other lighting and don’t necessarily turn them off at night. The moon hadn’t risen yet, but I didn’t need a flashlight to make my way to the bathroom at night.
Cabins are available for year round rental, both at the campground and more remote locations.
Birch Haven Campground
Lakeside campground
Nice owners in a mostly seasonal campground. Hillside lots are under development and no cable or WiFi yet. Laundromat and restrooms are clean. For pay shower.
Arndt's Aroostook River Lodge & Campground
Very Nice, Pleasant Park
There are not many camping options in this area of Maine, but that’s o.k. because this is a nice one and we had a pleasant week there. Campsites have very nice grassy patios and ours was super spacious because we were on the end and there was a nice tree that provided shade. One of the pluses of this campground are the walking trails that are adjacent to the park. There is also a mowed path down to the Aroostook River which is across the street from the campground but when we were there the water level was extremely low.
Campsites sits on top of a hill and there is a tight winding road that you must navigate to get up there. We were able to navigate it with our 45’ RV and tow car but we had to go slow and take up the whole road. Some campsites are side by side facing the wrong way with shared patios (i.e.,“buddy sites”) but there was enough space between them so you didn’t feel like you were sitting on top of each other. These buddy sites are ideal if you are traveling with friends. Our site was close to our neighbor but since their RV faced the opposite way our their patio was on the other side and didn't bother us. Seasonal campers make up about 50% of the park but most just come on weekends so the weekdays were pretty quiet. It appeared that they kept the transient campers in together and seasonals together. Some of the sewer connections are not conveniently located so you may need extra sewer hose. Luckily, our pull thru site was long enough that we could maneuver around to get close to the sewer without needing an extension.
The campground is close to town which is a bonus. There are hiking trails nearby that have some great views from atop. We liked Haystack Mountain which is just a short 10-15 minute walk to the top of the mountain with great views. The countryside is pretty to drive around and we found a huge field of blooming sunflowers that were stunning. There is a farmers market downtown that had lots of great produce and baked goods. This area is known for their potato industry so roadside stands selling 5 lbs. sacks were everywhere.
Overall, we really liked this park and its location. The price was great at$240/week for 50 amp full hook-up. Can’t say enough about how nice the grass and our site were. So many times patios are dusty, sandy, or hard gravel but this one was lush and nice and we really enjoyed sitting outside. There is actually more to do in the area than we expected and may be back some day.
Houlton/Canandian Border KOA
Quaint but adorable
The hosts, who just recently bought this campground are very kind and accommodating. It will eventually be a KOA.
We came in the fall, and the foliage was beautiful. There are many little areas to walk and explore in the campground.
We have a TT and our campsite had wifi, a fire ring, and full hookups. We have kids so we opted for a site close enough to watch them play on the playground.
The pull-through sites are long and have trees in between and around so still gives a feeling of privacy.
Birch Point Lodge Campground and Cottage Resort
Pull-through sites are a joke!
I had hoped this campground would be amazing. It was our first camping trip of 2020 (amid COVID19). Sadly, we found it to be horrendously inadequate.
We traveled with family to this campground. We had two "pull-through" sites. These sites are a joke! There are six sites per road. There is literally no where to pull off of the camp road to set up your RV site. The RVs must be set up in the road! The tow vehicle can park off to the side once unhooked but the RVs in the middle sites of the camp road are pinned in. This could potentially be dangerous if there ever was an emergency!
If that's not bad enough, the sites are SUPER unlevel. Notice the photo in my review. We had to use so many leveling blocks to assist our auto-leveling system!!
The "pull-through" sites are literally on a hill. The sites small and there is no privacy from your neighbors.
When we arrived our sites were not clean at all. There was trash on the ground, as well as dog feces, and the grass was very tall.
Lastly, the dump station for the campground is on the side of the public roadway, at the entrance of the park….which is on the top of a huge hill.
The surrounding area is beautiful! We will certainly go back to the area but we will find a better campground the next time.
We will not return to this campground.
Arndt's Aroostook River Lodge & Campground
Top of Maine and Top Camping Destination
This campground is at the top of Maine and a top camping destination for ATV enthusiasts.
The sites are spacious and inviting. Truly a nice place to stay.
We drove 5.5 hours to get to this campground. It was worth the drive. Presque Isle is a gem that should not overlooked.
Aroostook State Park Campground
Lovely wooded sites, hiking, boating, swimming
It's quite a trek to Aroostock State Park, nearly to the Canadian border, but it's worth the journey. I came here to attend the Crown of Maine Balloon Festival, which occupied my early mornings and evenings. During the day I would explore on foot or take the car through the countryside and enjoy the Amish farmlands.
Sites the sites are more or less level and wooded with some privacy, but there's less privacy if you are located in the middle of the loop and people take trails to the latrine in the middle. There is also a bathroom/showerhouse near the beginning of the campground loop, near the divide between the loop and the uphill section.
Near the back of the loop a trail heads up south peak for a short scrabble and nice loop hike. There's a rickety tent platform with great views of the valley at that end and a lean-to on the other end of the ridge. Threre's a playground for kids. Bring your kayak or canoe or they have some available to rent.
Arndt's Aroostook River Lodge & Campground
Very nice campground
I enjoyed staying here, the campground was quiet, clean, and the staff and owners were very friendly... I would recommend and will be ack
Neil E Michaud Campground
Basic Camping
Just a basic field that can accommodate tents & big RVs. Big field in the back that my dog loved to run around in. Water & electrical hookups. Next to a big road that you can hear. There is a little bathhouse with toilets & a shower. Also does have a washer/dryer available. We stayed in a camper during September/October so there weren’t many people around.
Neil E Michaud Campground
Basic open campground for RVs and tents
I was in Presque Isle for the annual Crown of Maine balloon festival and for future reference I wanted to check out area campgrounds. If you’re heading into town from the south, you’ll see the campground before you see the sign which is tucked in among the trees. Check in at the back door of the house.
Sites occupy a large field with woods to the right and farmland to the left. Sites are grassy and open and can accommodate both tents and very large RVs. It is by the main road, so you will hear road traffic. If you are in a tent and dependent upon facilities, there is a small bathroom with toilets and shower. They are cramped and dated; there's a small porch on the front and the paint is peeling.
Aroostook State Park Campground
Beautiful park
This was an amazing stay would love to go back
Arndt's Aroostook River Lodge & Campground
Beautiful family campground
I have stayed here twice and loved it both times. The first time I went as a family the second alone and took in the views of the beautiful trails they had to offer. Everyone is friendly and they offer a clean shower house. Families here hang outside and interact with each other. Would definitely go back
Birch Point Lodge Campground and Cottage Resort
Lovely lake
Great place to spend time on the lake
Aroostook State Park Campground
Nice state park
Stopped for a one night visit. Huge site (most are big). Good space between neighbors. Bathroom/showers are free and spotless. I didn’t have time to hike but there are lots of options. Very quiet, although I was one of two camping parties in the place. Close to town. Very relaxing. Take your own wood. $5 gets you a puny ‘bundle’. Mine was wet.
Matagamon Wilderness
Small and wonderful
Lovely little campground with campsites, lean tos, and cabins right on the river and near Baxter State Park. My wife and I winter camped here in a lean to in sub zero temperatures two years in a row, and while the owners thought we were nuts for not opting for a cabin they couldn’t have been nicer or more accommodating.
Trout Brook Farm Campground — Baxter State Park
Isolated Beautiful Campground
We arrived at a group site on the campground and where blown away by the beauty. the grounds are in wife open grasslands on the edge of a forest and ringed by mountains. The campground has canoes available to rent for $1 hr with access to a huge lake via half a mile of various streams. I highly recommend this site just remember to lock up or string up your food. My friend left a bag of chips on the table at night, when we woke up the chips where eaten and a raccoon left us a "present" on the table.
Deboullie Public Lands
Middle of nowhere beautiful area and some of the best day hiking trails
Access is gained by private gravel logging roads leaving Route 161 in St. Francis, or off Route 11 in Portage, Maine. There is a check point when you drive through the logging facility area at the start of the main logging roads. You must check in for arrivals and departure. They will give you a map of the sites and trails. The drive is a good hour on dirt roads from there. Follow the red RRC signs and you will find it no problems.
Sites are all spread out. We stayed at Perch Dam mostly because our tent is 10x12 feet and 6 feet high. Majority of other tent sites have platforms for your tent which are much smaller.
The hiking trails are some of the best I have been on at such a site. They could use some more signs at intersections but with the trail map we got from the checkpoint we were able to figure them out. The view points you can hike up to are beautiful. Two of them, have log benches to sit down at the top and admire the view. Several trails I took had rock stairs and wooden stairs. If you hike to the fire tower from Perch Dam side, its flat all the way up to the mountain, that's where it gets crazy. like going straight up at some parts. Pretty awesome, but pretty hard if you are not in shape. My legs were shaking at the top, I barely had the strength to climb the fire tower lol. I got within like 15 more steps to the top, and I was like nope, going down. Wish I would have kept going, looking back. So don't give up even if your legs are jello!
There are several lakes around. We brought our kayaks, looking for moose. Did not find any, just a lot of tracks, and their poop. While hiking we did find a Pine Martin which was awesome. I never seen one of those in real life before.
There is nothing really within 1.5 hours or so from the camp sites so don't forget anything. There is a General Store in town but if you need certain things or want a big selection you will have to drive another 45 minutes to Walmart. Use google maps and pick one, there's two in different directions. We kinda broke our French Press second day there... had to drive to Walmart for a new one, cannot live without coffee you know. So that was like a 1/2 day trip there and back. Crazy. Rest of the time was great. We basically hiked every day. My husband is a birder so he was trying to get King Fisher pix and whatever else all the time. I did a lot of reading in my hammock.
Only thing that sucked, is the logging. We could hear them working, like a buzzing bee all the time during week days past 10pm at night which was annoying. We kind of wanted to get away from everything and everyone. Other than that, this place is pretty awesome. Check out their website. Enjoy.
Guide to Mapleton
Camping near Mapleton, Maine, offers a fantastic escape into nature with plenty of options for outdoor enthusiasts. From serene lakes to rugged mountains, there’s something for everyone in this beautiful region.
What to do
- Hiking: Explore the numerous trails in Baxter State Park. One camper noted, “Baxter is one of the most pristine, magical and majestic public lands in the US, always worth a visit” while hiking the trails.
- Canoeing and Kayaking: Rent a canoe or kayak for just $1/hour at South Branch Pond Campground — Baxter State Park. A visitor shared, “Lots of trail options. Canoe and kayak rentals, swimming, fishing, and gorgeous views.”
- Fishing: The area is known for great fishing spots. One camper at Aroostook State Park Campground mentioned, “Nice quiet campground... Good space between neighbors. Bathroom/showers are free and spotless.”
What campers like
- Scenic Views: Campers rave about the stunning landscapes. A review from Shin Pond Village Campground highlights, “The beauty of the camping site was simply breathtaking, with serene lakes, lush forests, and stunning sunsets.”
- Quiet Atmosphere: Many appreciate the peaceful environment. A visitor at Neil E Michaud Campground said, “This was a great place to camp. Quiet at night. The woman that runs it is really nice.”
- Family-Friendly: Campgrounds like Aroostook State Park Campground are noted for being kid-friendly, with spacious sites and nearby trails.
What you should know
- Limited Amenities: Many campgrounds, such as South Branch Pond Campground — Baxter State Park, do not offer drinking water or electricity. A camper advised, “Bring your own water and any food and ice you need as you will be more than 45 minutes from ‘civilization.’”
- Primitive Camping: Expect a more rustic experience. A review from Katahdin Stream Campground — Baxter State Park states, “There is NO potable water, electricity, showers or cell/internet service in the Park.”
- Wildlife: Be prepared to encounter wildlife. One camper at Roaring Brook Campground — Baxter State Park mentioned, “You are sure to see many Appalachian Trail thru-hikers as they use this campground as their final base camp before summiting.”
Tips for camping with families
- Choose Kid-Friendly Campgrounds: Look for places like Aroostook State Park Campground that offer spacious sites and trails. A parent shared, “Very kid-friendly. We go there during the Perseid meteor shower peak, make some hot chocolate, and go out in the canoe.”
- Plan for Activities: Bring along games and outdoor toys. One family at Shin Pond Village Campground enjoyed the “serene environment and breathtaking views” while relaxing together.
- Pack Essentials: Make sure to bring everything you need, as some campgrounds are far from stores. A camper at South Branch Pond Campground — Baxter State Park reminded others, “You are NOT allowed to bring any firewood into the Park.”
Tips from RVers
- Check Site Conditions: Some sites can be soft and muddy. A visitor at Shin Pond Village Campground shared, “Our RV was stuck... the campground owner had to pull us out with his huge tractor.”
- Look for Amenities: Choose campgrounds with electric hookups if needed. A review from Arndt's Aroostook River Lodge & Campground noted, “There are HUGE, level, terraced sites stretching up the hill.”
- Plan for Dump Stations: Be aware of dump station fees. One camper at Neil E Michaud Campground mentioned, “They charge 3 times more than all others to dump.”
Camping near Mapleton, Maine, is a great way to enjoy the outdoors, whether you're hiking, fishing, or just soaking in the views.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Mapleton, ME?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Mapleton, ME is Trout Brook Farm Campground — Baxter State Park with a 4.5-star rating from 2 reviews.