The Mount Vernon area in central Maine sits at approximately 400 feet above sea level, surrounded by rolling hills and multiple lakes including Long Pond, Flying Pond, and Parker Pond. The region experiences warm summers with temperatures typically ranging from 70-85°F and cool nights dropping to the 50s. Camping facilities near Mount Vernon remain open primarily from May through October, with some sites offering extended season options into early fall.
What to do
Disc golf courses: Beaver Brook Campground (now Jellystone Park™ Androscoggin Lake) features a popular disc golf course. "Very nice campground with a good camp store and disc golf course. We will stay again!" reports J B.
Hiking trails: Camden Hills State Park provides extensive hiking options directly from campground. "There are hiking trails just outside your doorstep, and you are within five miles of a grocery, restaurants, attractions, etc. The sites are large and have nice privacy," notes Nancy W.
Paddleboarding on lakes: Birches Lakeside Campground provides access to a large lake ideal for water sports. "Really cute campground. Its perfect if you have a motor boat, pontoon, jetskii, or even a kayak! I wouldn't suggest learned to paddle board on the lake but its still a great spot for experienced paddleboarders," shares Samantha N.
Farm exploration: When staying at Wolfe's Neck Oceanfront Campground, visitors can explore a working organic farm. "The working farm is open to visit and walk around. Pet the baby cows and see the pigs and goats. They have a ton of activities going on through the summer," reports Tiffany N.
What campers like
Family-oriented activities: Papoose Pond Family Campground offers daily activities for all ages. "We have tent camped here for a week (if not twice) every summer for the last 5 years. Pond with rentals, pool, mini golf, daily activities, crafts....so family friendly," explains Carrie T.
Lakefront experiences: At Birches Lakeside Campground, the water access is a primary draw. "Wonderful water access. Cabins, RVs and tents all welcome. Clean facilities and a nice store making it so you don't have to leave! Staff does a very good job at planned activities to keep children entertained," shares Erika H.
Entertainment options: Beaver Brook Campground (Jellystone Park) provides extensive entertainment. "For parents; live entertainment with local bands on Saturday nights, an adult only swim nightly. (Playground is close enough to the pool to actually enjoy this while listening to my kids play), candy bar bingo (where you can play bingo WITH your kids and was quite fun)," notes Angela M.
Clean facilities: Sebago Lake State Park maintains well-kept bathrooms and sites. "This was a seemingly nice family-oriented campground with lots of nice amenities - the restrooms were in decent shape, there was a dish-washing sink available, and they even do movies in the amphitheater," says Ashlee L.
What you should know
Site spacing varies: At Sebago Lake State Park, campsite proximity can be an issue. "The campsites definitely felt like they were on top of each other and are pretty small. We picked a medium one and could barely fit 2 tents and 2 cars with a safe distance from the fire. 2 sites were within 15ft of our fire pit," notes Jess G.
Weather considerations: During rainy periods, water management becomes important. "For a large portion of our stay it torrentially downpoured. The trees allowed us to canopy a tarp but our fire pit completely flooded and we had to bail it out when the rain finally stopped," reports a camper at Sebago Lake State Park.
Campground upkeep varies: At Augusta/Gardiner KOA, some facilities need attention. "Campground is in need of upgrading. There were very heavy rains the night before we arrived that washed out some of the roads. Our site was quite wet. Hosts were very personable," shares Ron.
Seasonal openings: Most campgrounds in the Mount Vernon region operate from May through October. Honey Run Campground and Beach provides some year-round camping options, while Camden Hills State Park transitions to walk-in only starting in early September.
Tips for camping with families
Site selection: At Papoose Pond Family Campground, choosing the right area improves the experience. "We had an amazing first camping experience for our 2 year old here! The campsite was large and private with good distance between the next sites. We were on the pool/rec hall side and it definitely seemed less condensed over there than the pond side," recommends Kaileigh K.
Kid-friendly amenities: Honey Run Campground provides specific features for children. "Perfect stay if you have kiddos and dogs! There's a playground, arcade, and beach. They offer kayak and canoe rentals. We grabbed a tent site for 3 days and it had water and electric! You get a picnic table and fire ring," notes Drew P.
Budget for activities: Glamping close to Mount Vernon, Maine often includes optional paid activities. "We had two paddleboards which are add-ons with the MainelyGlamping package and we spent some time on one of the calm clear mornings paddling around the lake which was amazing," shares a visitor to Sebago Lake State Park.
Safety considerations: Campgrounds with circular layouts allow more freedom for children. "We loved the campground and it is great for our eight year old daughter who can safely ride her bike around with the other kids at the campground, enjoy the beach and enjoy the playground," reports a family who stayed at Sebago Lake.
Tips from RVers
Navigating narrow roads: At Jellystone Park™ Androscoggin Lake, road width can be challenging. "The roads can be very narrow if you have a long rig. Your choice of pool or pond. Great campground for kids. Restaurant and store. Entertainment on the weekends," advises Tammy H.
Site selection for larger rigs: Certain campgrounds better accommodate bigger setups. "Camden Hills State Park accommodates larger RV's, there are a limited number of sites for those over 35 feet and the gravel roads are easy to navigate in a big rig," notes a reviewer.
Hookup options: When glamping close to Mount Vernon, Maine in an RV, confirm utility availability. "Sites and patios are gravel and level with a picnic table and fire pit. Approximately, half the sites have water and 30/50 amp electric and the others are no hookups," explains a Camden Hills State Park visitor.
Signal reception: For those needing connectivity, reception varies by location. "For television watchers, there is no cable and satellite can be difficult due to trees. There are nine sites (55 - 63) located in an open field that may be able to pick up satellite. Our antenna found one major network and a few PBS stations," shares an RV camper at Camden Hills.
