Glamping options around Mars Hill, Maine extend beyond standard campsites, with several properties offering elevated outdoor experiences from May through October. Northern Maine's climate features warm summers with temperatures typically ranging from 65-80°F and cool evenings that drop into the 50s. The region sits at the northern edge of the Appalachian Mountain chain, with Mars Hill Mountain reaching 1,748 feet in elevation.
What to do
Explore waterways: The Shin Pond Village Campground serves as a gateway to numerous water activities. "We were interested in kayaking on ponds and streams in the KAWW or Baxter State Park. The campground is between upper and lower Shin Ponds, with easy boat access to both," notes reviewer Gary G.
Hiking trails: Several walking paths offer varying difficulty levels throughout the region. At Arndt's Aroostook River Lodge & Campground, "There are walking trails that are adjacent to the park. There is also a mowed path down to the Aroostook River," according to Nancy W. The surrounding area features additional trails with "Haystack Mountain which is just a short 10-15 minute walk to the top of the mountain with great views."
UTV adventures: Visitors can rent off-road vehicles to access more remote areas. One reviewer at Shin Pond Village mentions, "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."
What campers like
Spacious sites: Arndt's Aroostook River Lodge offers remarkably large glamping and camping spots. One reviewer described them as "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." Another noted that "The sites are spacious and inviting. Truly a nice place to stay."
Convenient amenities: Glamping facilities provide comfortable necessities. A reviewer at Shin Pond Village appreciated that "There was a really good store and a great diner attached to the main office building. Campfire wood was abundant (and for sale by the campground) and each site had a picnic table, fire ring, and fire place to cook on."
Natural setting: Campgrounds maintain a natural environment despite modern conveniences. At Houlton/Canadian Border KOA, one camper noted, "our campsite was slightly off the beaten path which was exactly what we wanted. Good quite relaxing weekend." Another appreciated that "the DMZ area between the RV's and the tents is adequate so you're not pitching your tent right next to an RV."
What you should know
Ground conditions: Some sites can become problematic after heavy rain. At Shin Pond Village, one RVer reported: "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."
Limited connectivity: Cell service varies significantly by location. "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," reports one camper at Shin Pond Village.
Hookup configurations: At Arndt's Aroostook River Lodge, "Hookups are either water/electric or water/electric/sewer. If you need to use the dump station, there's a charge for that... for the back-in sites on the hill, the hookups are on the 'wrong' side."
Tips for camping with families
Water activities: Kids enjoy the various water features at multiple locations. At Houlton/Canadian Border KOA, "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."
Recreation facilities: Some campgrounds offer organized activities and play areas. A reviewer at Houlton/Canadian Border KOA mentioned, "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."
Proximity to attractions: Position your stay near desired activities. "The campground is close to the northern entrances to Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument and Baxter State Park," notes a reviewer at Shin Pond Village, making it easy to plan day trips with children.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Choose carefully based on your rig and needs. An RVer at Arndt's notes, "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."
Utility extensions: Pack extra utilities. "Some of the sewer connections are not conveniently located so you may need extra sewer hose," advises a camper at Arndt's.
Access considerations: Be aware of campground layouts. A reviewer at Arndt's cautions, "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."
