Camden Hills State Park sits just a 30-minute drive from Morrill, Maine, providing campers access to over 5,700 acres of wooded terrain. Located along Maine's midcoast at 800 feet elevation, the park offers a natural camping experience with reliable cell service. Most sites maintain reasonable spacing between neighbors and feature level gravel pads with fire pits.
What to do
Hike Mount Megunticook: Access trails directly from Camden Hills State Park Campground without driving elsewhere. "The campground 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," reports one Camden Hills State Park Campground visitor.
Kayak from waterfront sites: Launch directly from shoreline campsites at some locations. "The waterfront site 344 was terrific - gorgeous view, and one of the larger waterfront spots. We could launch our kayaks directly from the site. (If you don't have a waterfront site, there are 2 water access areas that anyone can launch from). The kayaking from the park is very good, with protected access into Mt. Desert Narrows," notes a visitor to Bar Harbor Oceanside KOA.
Explore nearby coastal towns: Use campgrounds as a convenient base for visiting multiple communities. "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," explains a visitor to Sennebec Lake Campground.
What campers like
Private waterfront sites: Campsites along the water provide exceptional views with adequate separation. "We love coming to Duck Puddle in the shoulder season (spring and fall) when it's quiet. 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," shares a visitor to Duck Puddle Campground.
Outdoor showers: Some campgrounds feature unique bathroom facilities. "The campground showers are located at the office with two enclosed outdoor showers and one indoor shower. Hubby used the outdoor shower and thought it was great," notes a camper at Oceanfront Camping @ Reach Knolls.
Stargazing opportunities: Dark skies near Morrill provide excellent night viewing. "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," reports a visitor to Seawall Campground.
What you should know
Reservation systems vary: Some campgrounds require advance booking while others operate first-come, first-served. "The Bar Harbor Campground does not take reservations so you can pick whatever open site you want and if you want to extend your stay, you can. When you arrive, you get a map, find an empty site, get set-up and then go back to the office to register," explains a visitor.
Showers often cost extra: Many campgrounds charge for shower use. "Free showers are located in the bathhouse/restrooms and were clean," notes a Camden Hills State Park visitor, though others report pay showers at other campgrounds costing between 25 cents for 5 minutes to $1.50 for 2 minutes.
Glamping close to Morrill, Maine includes yurt options: For those seeking luxury camping experiences, Cooley-Davies Homestead offers a secluded glamping setup. "A beautiful, peaceful spot amid woods & pasture," mentions a reviewer at Cooley-Davies Homestead.
Tips for camping with families
Look for dedicated kid activities: Some campgrounds offer organized family programming. "My daughter begs to camp here. As with any KOA they have lots of activities throughout the day for families, and a pool, but she loves the ice pop contest. If you find a painted rock and bring it to the office you get a free ice pop," shares a visitor to Bar Harbor Oceanside KOA.
Consider timing for quieter experiences: School calendar affects campground atmosphere. "During our stay, remarkable service provided a seamless experience. We have a 35ft RV, and we faced no issues getting in and out of the property and the sites across the water were level, with no extra leveling needed," notes a Sennebec Lake visitor.
Choose tent sites with specific needs in mind: Some campgrounds have separate tent areas with different features. "We are pop-up campers. We had plenty of room for our camper. Dog friendly. Bathrooms were very clean. 'Playground' is a bit of a stretch. Firewood was a bit pricey at $7 a bundle," reports a Camden Hills visitor.
Tips from RVers
RV site leveling varies: Some campgrounds require minimal setup while others need extensive leveling. "Our large back-in site was set in an open sunny area but most of the sites are nicely tucked into the woods with plenty of space between them," mentions a camper at Camden Hills State Park.
Electric service options: Check whether 30 or 50-amp hookups are available. "Approximately, half the sites have water and 30/50 amp electric and the others are no hookups. The campgrounds website has a very helpful map showing which sites are reservable and what they offer," notes a Camden Hills visitor.
Island Explorer bus access: Several campgrounds near Acadia National Park connect to free public transit. "The Island Explorer bus for Acadia National Park stops at the campground, so you have easy access without driving, if desired," explains a visitor to Bar Harbor Oceanside KOA.
