Camping options near Medford, Maine provide access to northern Maine's wilderness destinations. Located at the edge of the North Maine Woods region where elevations range from 300-600 feet, this area experiences warm summers with temperatures typically between 65-80°F and cooler spring and fall seasons. Winter camping is limited as most facilities close after October due to the region's heavy snowfall and below-freezing temperatures.
What to do
Moose watching excursions: Several camping areas serve as excellent base camps for wildlife viewing. At Moose Creek RV Resort in Greenville, campers report frequent wildlife sightings. "We were trying to find moose and did not succeed but saw deer a few times, a red Fox, a grouse, turkey, a great blue heron and numerous ducks so wildlife is around," notes one visitor.
Hiking nearby trails: The Millinocket area offers numerous trail options with varying difficulty levels. Wilderness Edge Campground serves as a convenient starting point. "Stay here and you're not too far from Baxter SP, Katahdin Woods and Waters NM, and white water rafting. ATV trails are available. Hiking, fishing, photography are just a few of the other activities to enjoy in the area," mentions one regular visitor.
Water activities on Moosehead Lake: Fishing, kayaking and canoeing opportunities abound at Rowell Cove Campground. "Put kayaks in right from the campsite," shares one camper. Another notes, "Two boat launches are adequate to launch trailered boats and great for kayaks and canoes. There are floating docks so you can leave your boat in the water during your stay."
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Campers appreciate adequate spacing at many RV campgrounds near Medford. At Pumpkin Patch RV Resort, "There is pretty good space between sites so you don't feel cramped or right on top of your neighbor. Most sites are level and there are long pull thrus so you don't have to unhitch if you are only staying one night."
Clean facilities: Consistently maintained bathrooms and common areas receive frequent praise. "The bathhouse (which was spotless) has six individual rooms with toilets and shower and two are ADA accessible. There is on-site laundry with three washers and three dryers costing $2.00/load," reports a visitor to Moose Creek RV Resort.
Recreational amenities: Many campgrounds provide on-site activities. At Spacious Skies Balsam Woods, "The campground has access to snowmobile trail in the winter as well as the ATV trails. It has its own parking lot for your atvs. There is an inground outdoor heated pool, a great big playground, basketball court, volleyball net, arcade, ice cream, outdoor projector for Saturday night movie."
What you should know
Connectivity limitations: Cell service varies throughout the region. "Verizon service poor with phone, but good with mobile router," notes one camper at Rowell Cove Campground. At another location, "Our Verizon phone got good reception and our hot spot worked well. The campground wi-fi was decent at our site but that depends on where you are in the park and what time of day you are using it."
Seasonal operation: Most rv campgrounds near Medford, Maine operate between May and October. Spacious Skies Balsam Woods runs from "May 26 - Oct 9" according to their information, which aligns with most regional campgrounds' seasonal schedules.
Advance planning required: For peak season visits, especially during fall foliage, securing reservations is essential. At Spacious Skies Balsam Woods, one camper noted, "We stayed here for two weeks the end of September and beginning of October. This was a great place for home base for a couple weeks while we enjoyed Maine and what it offers!"
Tips for camping with families
Child-friendly activities: Several campgrounds feature amenities specifically for younger visitors. "This campground has the access to snowmobile trail in the winter as well as the ATV trails... There is a inground outdoor heated pool, a great big playground, basketball court, volleyball net, arcade, ice cream, outdoor projector for Saturday night movie," shares a family camper at Spacious Skies Balsam Woods.
Adult-oriented options: Not all campgrounds cater equally to children. At Pumpkin Patch RV Resort, "This campground caters more to adults and does not have too much for kids to do. Most of the campers were seasonals whose campsites were well-kept and they were quiet."
Weather preparation: Weather can change rapidly in northern Maine, even during summer months. Rowell Cove Campground visitors recommend bringing appropriate gear: "The campground is heavily treed and gets pretty dark so a flashlight or headlamp is a good thing to bring along."
Tips from RVers
Site selection considerations: At Wilderness Edge Campground, "The sites are better suited for smaller RV setups but it is not impossible to get a bigger camper in. We have a 30 foot toy hauler and have fit in our spots ok. We don't recommend coming in after dark- it can be difficult to navigate."
Hookup configurations: RVers should verify utilities placement when booking. "Another thing to note is how long your hoses and electric cords are, you may need to stretch them under/behind your camper depending on site location," advises a Wilderness Edge Campground visitor.
Leveling requirements: Some campgrounds feature uneven terrain. "The only criticism we have is that a handful of sites are sloped and we would not be able to get our 45' motorhome level, luckily our site (#10) was perfectly level," notes a Moose Creek RV Resort guest who recommends specific site numbers for larger rigs.