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Best Campgrounds near Medford, ME

245 Reviews

The forested wilderness surrounding Medford, Maine encompasses a diverse range of camping experiences from primitive backcountry sites to developed facilities with amenities. Piscataquis Point offers waterfront camping with basic facilities, while nearby Peaks-Kenny State Park provides more developed options with electric hookups and shower facilities. The region sits at the gateway to Maine's North Woods, with the KI-Jo Mary Multi-Use Forest and Seboeis Public Lands offering dispersed camping opportunities. Tent campers, RV enthusiasts, and those seeking cabin accommodations can find suitable options within a 30-mile radius of Medford. Several campgrounds feature waterfront locations on ponds and streams, providing opportunities for fishing, paddling, and wildlife viewing.

Fire permits are required at most primitive sites in the area, with campers needing to call ahead to secure authorization. According to one visitor at a nearby pond campsite, "You will need to call 207-695-3721 to see about obtaining a burn permit before starting a fire." Access to many sites involves travel on logging roads where fast-moving trucks have the right of way. Cell service is limited or non-existent at most locations, particularly in the KI-Jo Mary forest system. The camping season typically runs from mid-May through early October, with some primitive sites accessible year-round depending on road conditions. Many campgrounds operate on a first-come, first-served basis with stay limits of 5-14 days. Weather can change rapidly, especially near larger bodies of water, with sudden wind gusts and rain storms possible even during summer months.

Waterfront sites consistently receive the highest ratings from campers, with many visitors noting the calls of loons as a highlight of their experience. One camper described their stay at a nearby state park as "a great place to fall asleep to the call of the loons, spend your day paddling and fishing." Wildlife viewing opportunities abound, with moose sightings common on logging roads and near smaller ponds at dawn and dusk. Primitive sites typically include fire rings and picnic tables, while more developed campgrounds offer amenities like hot showers, flush toilets, and dishwashing stations. Most sites require visitors to pack out all trash, as garbage facilities are limited. The proximity to the Appalachian Trail and numerous hiking paths makes the area popular with backpackers and day hikers during the summer months.

Best Camping Sites Near Medford, Maine (118)

    1. Piscataquis Point

    1 Review
    Medford, ME
    3 miles
    +1 (860) 617-5213

    $65 / night

    "Sitting next to a warm, crackling fire listening to the sound of the river was truly the cherry on top and made for a very relaxing evening."

    2. Soul Retrieve-Hill

    1 Review
    Brownville Junction, ME
    13 miles
    +1 (207) 279-6007

    $44 - $99 / night

    "Soul Retrieve Hill is new to the Dyrt and has an awesome location near Senebec Lake & features a communal area so you can meet other campers! "

    3. Peaks-Kenny State Park

    7 Reviews
    Dover-Foxcroft, ME
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (207) 564-2003

    "head to the right of the main Beach area for more secluded water access and waterfront picnic and grilling areas."

    "Most of the bathrooms in the park were closed down except for one, which our site (29) was next to. They have running hot water showers, a large basin sink outside to wash dishes, and flush toilets."

    4. Jo-Mary Campground

    2 Reviews
    Brownville Junction, ME
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (207) 723-8117

    5. Micro A-Frame Cabin

    2 Reviews
    Alton, ME
    17 miles
    Website

    $69 / night

    "As a single female - it is QUITE amazing to be able to calm this little piece of peace a joke away from home!"

    "This little slice of peace was well worth the drive! My fiancé and I stayed for just one night and spent the entire time hanging out around the fire or lounging inside the A-Frame."

    6. Wilderness Edge Campground

    13 Reviews
    Millinocket, ME
    28 miles
    Website
    +1 (207) 447-8485

    $14 - $50 / night

    "Good location as I was supporting an AT hiker through the 100 mile wilderness. Close to Baxter state park and the Katahdin Iron Works area that provided access to the wilderness."

    "We stay at Wilderness Edge every time we visit Millinocket. The campground has all of your basics and is a great gateway spot for Baxter State Park or ATV trails. "

    7. Seboeis Public Lands

    1 Review
    Brownville Junction, ME
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (207) 941-4412

    "That said, because it’s free and extended(14-day) stays are permitted, it can be hard to snag a drive-in, lakefront site."

    8. Poplar Stream Hut

    1 Review
    Brownville Junction, ME
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (207) 265-2400

    "I had never heard of Maine Huts and Trails (a small non-profit organization) and likely would not have if we had not traveled with an organized group for a three-day hut to hut experience."

    9. Pleasant River (Katahdin Ironworks)

    4 Reviews
    Brownville Junction, ME
    22 miles
    Website

    $34 - $54 / night

    "Beautiful hike-in sites located along the Pleasant River, and a great access point for hiking on the Appalachian Trail or in Gulf Hagas area! "

    "This was an unexpectedly beautiful site and great access point for hiking on the Appalachian Trail or Gulf Hagas area!"

    10. Katahdin Shadows Campground

    7 Reviews
    Millinocket, ME
    27 miles
    Website
    +1 (207) 746-9349

    "Pool was clean and in a central location. Quick easy walk on a path to store and small restaurant."

    "Close to interstate 95."

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Recent Camping Photos near Medford, ME

125 Photos of 118 Medford Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Medford, ME

245 Reviews of 118 Medford Campgrounds

  • Sandra L.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 23, 2025

    Wilderness Edge Campground

    Beware this campground reverted to prior owner.

    I stayed here for 3 full seasons when it was managed by the Shamps, as an incorporation.However they stopped the purchase and now it's being managed by original owners. The same owners who refused to allow inspectors onto the property, had sub par facilities and trespassed employees. Yet, the shamps upgraded the roads, bathrooms, showers, and all plumbing. So the place looks nicer than ever, although still fails some inspection line items. There is black mold in the tent side bathhouse, the touletstalls are smaller than legal size, and all the sites are laid out with the posts on the wrong side,( so bring extra power corda) or you must setup facing the road, not the woods. Also be aware there is NO Lake or rivers on this campground, the website is deceiving. Yes you can rent canoe or kayaks, but you also need to have a car/truck to take them to water. The camp is pet friendly, ATV friendly, and lots of ATV trails nearby. There is no ADA accessable toilets anywhere, but there are some larger showers, just no bars/railings, or accessable sprayers on the shower. The one that was there, , has been used as a maintence closet for at least 4 years,and gas unusable toilet . The laundry machines are good,for small loads. 1 washer- 1 dryer. Stayed April thru October for 3 years. I will NOT return under this owner, and do not recommend this place anymore.

  • TThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 23, 2025

    Lazy Tom Bog Primitive Campsite

    Off the beaten path, WORTH IT!

    I really enjoyed the scenery here! My only complaint is that there was minimal cell service(ATT). Decent inroad and multiple opportunities for trailer turnarounds. Ladybugs galore! Skeeters also control this area so pretreat your gear and/or bring spray

  • BThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 12, 2025

    Lazy Tom Bog Primitive Campsite

    THIS IS WHERE YOU SEE A MOOSE!

    Was there for not even 24 hours and saw a moose. Dirt road to get to the spot right after the bridge on the right for only 5 minutes at most. Rocky camping spot but has a fire pit. I didn’t have any service. PERFECT launching spot for a kayak. Gets cold at night. I’d say closest gas station was probably 15-20 minutes away from the spot. People come often to check for moose and loud lumber trucks pass often so keep that in mind when camping. Again, it was all rocky.

  • R
    Oct. 10, 2025

    Pumpkin Patch RV Resort

    Fun Fall Stay

    Stayed here in October, the week before they shut down for the season. Staff was friendly and super helpful. Snowmobile trails behind the campground lead to a walking path that connects the high school and elementary school for a pleasant walk in the woods.

  • Jessica D.
    Oct. 5, 2025

    Peaks-Kenny State Park

    It has been an excellent experience.

    Everyone has been really nice, beautiful beach and trails. I got the only walk-in site it might be the best site here

  • T
    Sep. 21, 2025

    Spacious Skies Balsam Woods

    Russell

    Very nice staff friendly,everything met our expectations, will definitely book a week for next summer.

  • Anne L.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 21, 2025

    Wilderness Edge Campground

    Nice campground near Millinocket

    Clean campground, clean bath house with laundry.

  • Sandra L.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 8, 2025

    Wilderness Edge Campground

    Comfortable family campground & RV park

    Quiet wooded sites, glacier stones,dirt roads, clean bathrooms. Nice hot showers. Rustic cabins are half walled with screens, ATV trails easy access, pool, pet friendly, beautiful place.

  • Michelle L.
    Aug. 28, 2025

    New England Outdoor Center

    Beautiful location and friendly staff

    This is a rustic campground in a beautiful setting. The staff is very friendly and helpful. They kept everything clean. The campground is really a base of operations for NEOC’s whitewater rafting, so in the morning and afternoon, you have groups of rafters come in getting ready for or returning from their trip. You can book rafting trips with them, and the guides who worked there were awesome.

    The campground is on a small lake, and they have a bunch of kayaks and canoes kept at the side with oars and PFDs. Sign a waiver, and you can take them out, no hassle. From the lake, there is a great view of Mt. Katahdin.

    There is a pavilion with pool tables and indoor fire pit that you can go hang out at night as well as tables where you can sit out back overlooking the lake. There’s even a pub area indoors. No camp store so make sure to get what you need in town.

    Only one issue that prevented me from giving them five stars: they advertise that there are flush toilets and showers but no hot water when the generator isn’t running. It runs for a few hours in the morning and then from about 3-9 pm. The problem is that the restroom doors are locked when the generators are off, so there are no flush toilets or potable water when the generator is off. There are outhouses throughout the campground, but that wasn’t what we were expecting. They could also use a couple of speed limit signs on the main road bc cars go pretty fast in that area.

    Overall, a great campground for any hiking or rafting in the area!

Guide to Medford

Campsites in the Medford area sit within the transitional zone between Maine's central highlands and northern forest region at elevations ranging from 350-600 feet. The area receives an average of 45 inches of precipitation annually and experiences temperature fluctuations from below freezing in winter to 80°F in summer months. Most camping options require travel on gravel roads that can become rutted after heavy rainfall.

What to do

Paddling opportunities: Several campgrounds provide access to calm waters ideal for kayaking and canoeing. At Peaks-Kenny State Park, "the lake is beautiful" and offers "canoe rentals" for those without their own watercraft. The park features "secluded water access" just beyond the main beach area.

Hiking trails: The region connects to multiple trail networks of varying difficulty levels. "There are two hiking trails that are fun but lack a scenic view; one challenging, one easy," notes a camper about Peaks-Kenny State Park. For more ambitious hikers, Pleasant River (Katahdin Ironworks) serves as "a great access point for hiking on the Appalachian Trail or Gulf Hagas area" with the "Gulf Hagas trailhead within 10 minutes" of campsites.

Wildlife viewing: Early morning offers prime moose-watching opportunities. One camper at Pleasant River reported they were "visited by a moose and her calf one evening" right at their campsite. Beyond moose, the area supports abundant bird life including loons on larger ponds and lakes.

What campers like

Quiet camping atmosphere: Many visitors appreciate the sense of remoteness found at smaller campgrounds in the region. At Piscataquis Point, campers enjoy a "very quiet and peaceful place but easily accessible from multiple directions and only like 20 mins from I-95." The campground offers a chance to "unplug and unwind like you're in the middle of nowhere."

Cabin options: For those seeking shelter without hauling tents, several sites offer rustic structures. The Micro A-Frame Cabin provides what one camper called a "little piece of peace" that was "well worth the drive." Another visitor described it as "very very cozy and wonderfully peaceful."

Clean facilities: Many campgrounds maintain well-kept bathrooms and common areas. At Wilderness Edge Campground, visitors consistently mention the "clean (like super clean) showers and bath house" along with helpful staff. The campground features "fire pit and picnic table at each site and cabin" with convenient amenities.

What you should know

Fee structures: Access to many camping areas requires multiple payments. At Pleasant River, campers note "you have to pay to get through the gate at Katahdin Iron Works, pay a daily access fee, and daily camping fee." Bring cash as some locations don't accept credit cards.

Road conditions: The region features numerous unpaved roads requiring careful navigation. Jo-Mary Campground has "gravel" access roads where visitors "drove slowly as there were some ruts." Logging truck traffic can create hazards on some routes.

Variable site layouts: Campground configurations may require adaptation upon arrival. At Wilderness Edge Campground, "the tent sites are a bit close together and barely deep enough to park a car" while RV hookup locations vary by site, requiring "longer power cords and hoses" for some setups.

Limited services: Many sites lack basic amenities. At Seboeis Public Lands, "there's no fee to camp" but also "no drinking water" available, requiring visitors to filter water from natural sources. Cell service drops completely in many locations outside town centers.

Tips for camping with families

Pool access: Katahdin Shadows Campground offers a "heated pool, campfires, tractor rides" that appeal to children, plus "lit site markers made it easy to find your site" when returning after dark. The campground includes a "game room" and path to an on-site store.

Beach activities: Several campgrounds feature swimming areas appropriate for various ages. At Peaks-Kenny State Park, visitors enjoy "a short walk down to the beach area which offers a playground, cookout spots, and canoe rentals."

Recreational programming: Some larger campgrounds coordinate family-friendly events during peak season. Katahdin Shadows offers a "family hayride" that received positive reviews from parents, along with "lots of activity for the families" throughout the summer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I find tent camping sites in the Medford area?

The Medford area offers diverse tent camping opportunities. Little Moose Pond Campsite provides primitive tent sites with easy access from the Little Moose Ponds Loop Trailhead. For a more guided experience, Northeast Whitewater Lodge offers tent camping with nearby recreation options like whitewater rafting and moose viewing tours. Their tent sites are walk-in style, offering a secluded experience while still accessible. Throughout the Medford region, you'll find many campgrounds that accommodate tents with various amenities from basic (fire rings and picnic tables) to more developed sites with access to showers and restrooms. Most tent sites in the area operate on a first-come, first-served basis during the camping season, typically May through October.

What are the best campgrounds in and around Medford, Oregon?

Among the top campgrounds in the Medford area, Lily Bay State Park stands out with its two excellent camping areas. This state park offers gorgeous lakeside sites, well-maintained facilities including showers and restrooms, and easy access to hiking trails along the shoreline. For a more rustic experience, Trout Pond Campsite in the Little Moose Public Lands provides free camping in a pristine natural setting about five miles from downtown. This first-come, first-served site allows stays up to 14 nights. The Medford region is known for campgrounds that balance natural beauty with accessibility, offering options for various camping styles from waterfront sites to secluded forest locations, with many providing picnic tables, fire rings, and access to outdoor recreation opportunities.

Are there RV-friendly camping options near Medford, Oregon?

Medford offers several RV-friendly camping options to accommodate different vehicle sizes. Rowell Cove Campground at Lily Bay State Park includes sites designated for various rig sizes, with clear indicators on their campground map showing which sites can accommodate larger vehicles. Many sites offer lake views and access to comfort stations with plumbed toilets and showers. Long Pond Campsites in KI Jo Mary MultiUse Forest provides drive-in access for RVs with sites arranged around an open field area. When planning your RV trip to Medford, look for campgrounds with drive-in access, designated RV sites, and appropriate hookup options. Reservations are recommended during peak summer months as RV-suitable sites can fill quickly.

What makes Southern Oregon a good camping destination?

Southern Oregon excels as a camping destination thanks to its diverse landscapes and abundant outdoor recreation opportunities. The region surrounding Little Notch Pond Campsite showcases this diversity with opportunities for hiking, fishing, paddling, and wildlife viewing in pristine natural settings. The area features crystal-clear waters like those at Dunn Point Campground, where campers can enjoy shoreline trails and observe wildlife including loons and mergansers. Southern Oregon's camping appeal also comes from its accessibility, with options ranging from developed state parks to primitive backcountry sites. The region typically offers a moderate camping season from late spring through early fall, with some locations accessible year-round. Many sites provide direct access to lakes, ponds, and trails, creating a comprehensive outdoor experience for campers of all experience levels.

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