Camping near Monhegan Island requires mainland access points, as the island itself offers no vehicular camping. The coastal Maine camping season typically runs from mid-May through mid-October, with most facilities closing before November. Campers should prepare for temperature swings from 55°F nighttime lows to 75°F daytime highs during summer months, with frequent morning fog along the coast.
What to do
Beach exploration at Pemaquid Point: Located near Sherwood Forest Campsite, this area offers white sand beaches with tidal exploration opportunities. "A nice short walk to the white sands beach and short drive to sightseeing," notes a camper who appreciated the area's coastal access.
Coastal kayaking excursions: Thomas Point Beach and Campground provides direct water access for paddlers. "We put our kayaks into the water right at the beach and had a nice float in the bay," reports one visitor who enjoyed the convenient launch site.
Botanical garden visits: The gardens near Boothbay Craft Brewery & RV Resort offer unique nature experiences. "Don't miss the Guardians of the Seeds (trolls) at the Botanical Gardens! Truly a one of a kind campground with amazing restaurant and brewery on site!" recommends one enthusiastic camper.
Tidal flat clamming: When the tide retreats at coastal sites, clamming becomes a popular activity. "When the tide goes out you have the entire inlet to walk around in and explore," explains a visitor to Sagadahoc Bay Campground, highlighting the extensive tidal flats.
What campers like
Waterfront views: Many campers praise the oceanfront perspectives from sites along the coast. "The water views are great from the Oceanside sites. There is plenty of things to do in the area," says one reviewer at Sagadahoc Bay Campground.
Local seafood access: Megunticook by the Sea Campground offers special seafood events for campers. "The owners host a Lobster bake on Saturdays and it was so good," notes one visitor who appreciated this authentic Maine experience.
Dark skies for stargazing: Areas away from larger towns provide exceptional night sky viewing. "At night the stars were absolutely amazing!" exclaims a visitor to Sagadahoc Bay Campground, highlighting the benefit of limited light pollution in coastal Maine.
Recreational amenities: Some campgrounds offer on-site activities beyond basic camping. "The park has a short trail across to an island which our dog loved to run around on and jump in the water," notes a camper at Shore Hills Campground who enjoyed the pet-friendly features.
What you should know
Reservation practices vary: Some campgrounds have unusual booking systems. At Greenlaw's RV Park, "Once your reservation is made reservations are on the honor system that you show up. No prepayment was required. An invoice is emailed to you with payment options the morning after you check in."
Internet connectivity challenges: Coverage varies significantly between locations. "We did not get a strong Verizon signal, internet access was pretty much non-existent," reports a camper from one coastal park, indicating the need for offline planning.
Road conditions to campgrounds: Some access roads present challenges for larger vehicles. "The roads are gravel with potholes and campsites are grassy or dirt depending on if you are under a tree or a previous campers patio mat killed the grass," explains one camper about the approach to a local campground.
Tidal considerations: Water access changes dramatically with tides. "The river is tidal and so unless you want to wade threw mud there is not access beyond a couple hours around high tide," explains a camper at Shore Hills Campground, highlighting timing requirements for water activities.
Tips for camping with families
Swimming options: Lake Pemaquid Campground offers freshwater alternatives to ocean swimming. "Beach access for swimming in the lake. Can be noisy outside of quiet hours, but becomes surprisingly quiet later at night," notes one family camper about the lake facilities.
Wildlife observation opportunities: Tidal areas provide natural science lessons for children. "Plenty of clamming and watching wild life like hermit crabs, crabs, seagulls or your dogs running in joy on the soft clay like surface," describes a visitor to a coastal campground.
Playground access: Some campgrounds maintain play areas for children. "There are several playgrounds for the kids and even a small arcade for rainy days," mentions a camper at Lake Pemaquid who appreciated the rainy day options.
Insect preparation: Coastal Maine presents significant mosquito challenges. "July is VERY buggy!" warns a camper at Sagadahoc Bay Campground, suggesting families pack appropriate repellent for evening activities.
Tips from RVers
Extension cord requirements: Electrical hookups at some campgrounds require extra equipment. At Thomas Point Beach and Campground, "The electrical hook ups are like 1 box for every 10 camping spots so they are kinda far away so make sure you have an extension cord of some sort."
Satellite reception limitations: Tree coverage affects connectivity options. "Satellite reception was also a problem because of the trees. It is best to have a portable unit but even then, it could be difficult to get reception," advises an RVer from a coastal campground.
Site leveling considerations: Many campgrounds have terrain variations. "Our site was level but some are not very level and would have been a problem for us," reports an RVer who cautions about preparation for unlevel sites.
Tree clearance awareness: Navigating through some campgrounds requires caution. "Lots of tall pine trees provide shade but also make it a little difficult to navigate the roads. We had to go pretty slow to avoid hitting tree branches," notes an RV camper who experienced challenges with overhead clearance.
