Glamping near Thomaston offers a mix of forest and coastal settings, with elevation ranging from sea level to 800 feet at nearby Camden Hills. The region's climate features warm summer days averaging 75°F and cool evenings that often drop to 50°F even in July and August. Most glamping options don't take advance reservations more than 6 months ahead, with limited availability for groups larger than 4 people.
What to do
Hiking Mt. Battie: Access trails directly from Camden Hills State Park Campground for panoramic views. "The park sits on both sides of Rt. 1, and the bottom side is more of a day use area with a pavilion and walking trails and sits on the water. The top portion of the park, where all the campsites are, has direct access to Mount Megunticook, and Mount Battie, and offers easy to advanced hikes," notes Heather C.
Kayaking on Sennebec Lake: Rent equipment directly from the campground or launch your own boat. "We love the proximity to the lake with easy access for kayaking and swimming. New ownership this year resulted in some updates, as well as the addition of glamping tents near the beach," reports Pam A.
Coastal exploration: Visit nearby lighthouses and fishing villages within 20 minutes of most glamping sites. "The campground's location was a highlight, offering easy access to the towns of Camden, Rockport, and Rockland, each having with their own unique New England charm," notes Jason G.
What campers like
Waterfront glamping: Premium sites at Duck Puddle Campground offer direct water access. "The waterfront sites (61-66) offer direct access to the lake and have trees between the site for a more private feel. Some have a private dock for fishing or sitting, others have a small beach area. The lake is great for swimming and paddling," explains K R.
Artisan experiences: Several glamping locations offer craft workshops and musical events. "This place is so much more than a beautiful campground nestled among gorgeous old growth trees located right on the shore. It's also a treasure trove of arts of all kinds - fiber arts, metal sculptures, carvings, paintings, and music," shares Kathy L.
Dark sky stargazing: Many sites provide excellent night viewing opportunities away from light pollution. "For stargazers, the short walk across the street to the beach will give you some unbelievable views of the milky way when the night is at peak darkness," says Kyle R.
What you should know
Seasonal limitations: Most luxury glamping options close by mid-October. "Camden Hills is an ideal camping location. Sites are spacious, they have a variety of trails, and the town of Camden is charming. Beware of weekend campers. I had no problem getting a first come first serve spot on Wednesday, but by Friday, it was busy," advises Missy R.
Bathroom facilities: Quality varies significantly between glamping sites. "Bathrooms were dated but clean. The site we had was on the water and had great views. It was surrounded by trees and had decent spacing between neighbors," notes Rachel S. at Shore Hills Campground & RV Park.
Reservation requirements: Book 2-3 months ahead for waterfront glamping options. "It's early October, and I learned that Maine State Parks are first come first serve at this point. I was pleasantly surprised to arrive and find plenty of vacant spots," mentions Missy R.
Weather considerations: Even summer glampers should pack layers. "The weekend we stayed they happened to be celebrating 'Christmas in July' and so a lot of the campers had put up lights and decorated. They had a band play on Sat night and large bonfire," explains Rachel S.
Tips for camping with families
Entertainment options: Look for campgrounds with organized activities. "Duck Puddle Campground provided a blend of relaxation and adventure for the kiddos. The campground's commitment to modern conveniences is evident, with amenities that bring together comfort and wilderness living," shares Jason G.
Beach access: Sherwood Forest Campsite provides convenient beach proximity. "This campground is also very close to a public beach and a very short drive to Darmascota, so overall, I am very happy with the location and experience!" says Haley H.
Playground availability: Some glamping sites offer better play facilities than others. "There are a ton of nice amenities. It's also close to other fun coastal towns," shares Ashley S.
Tips from RVers
Glamping site access: Searsport Shores Ocean Campground offers premium glamping with water views. "The tent sites are completely separate from the RVs and are in the woods, beautifully maintained. Only con is the sites are very close together so privacy is an issue sometimes, but the whole campground has a very community feel to it," explains April W.
Hookup considerations: Not all glamping sites offer full amenities. "We could have chosen lakefront but they were just water and electric and since we were staying 4 days we chose the full hookup in a nicely wooded site. There is a place to put your boat in if you have it, laundry, dock, fishing, camp store and I thought a great playground and field are if u have kids with u and clean restrooms," notes Carol C.
Site selection: Research layout to find the most secluded glamping options. "The sites are a decent size and the campground is fairly quiet at night," mentions Pam A.
