Mount Vernon, Maine camping areas feature mixed forest terrain with pine and hardwood trees surrounding numerous freshwater lakes and streams. Located at approximately 400 feet elevation in the Belgrade Lakes Region, the area experiences warm summer days with cooler evenings and moderate rainfall. Most pet-friendly campgrounds offer waterfront sites with lake access for swimming and boat launches.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Jellystone Park Androscoggin Lake provides multiple fishing spots including both pond and lake access. "Amazing campground. Has a lot of stuff for kids including playground, pool, water slides, canoeing, kayaking, mini golf and disc golf," notes camper Peter F.
Kayaking with your pet: Kennebec River offers calm water ideal for pets who enjoy boat rides. Two Rivers Campground provides complimentary canoe and kayak use. "Took a canoe up the river for a couple hours. Kind people. Clean. Would definitely stay again," says Andrea S.
Disc golf course: The 18-hole course at Jellystone Park provides exercise for both pets and owners. "Very nice campground with a good camp store and disc golf course. We will stay again!" reports J.B., highlighting this unique recreation option not found at most area campgrounds.
What campers like
Clean bathroom facilities: More to Life Campground maintains exceptional restroom cleanliness. David G. noted, "The bathrooms and showers were clean and well stocked," which provides comfort when camping with pets who may track dirt into facilities.
Wooded campsites: Shaded sites offer natural cooling during summer months. "We had a long pull-thru site that was located under pine trees which provided welcomed shade since the temperatures were in the high 80's," explains Nancy W. about Two Rivers Campground.
Wildlife observation: Mount Blue State Park offers natural habitats where pets must remain leashed to protect local animals. Charlotte F. observed, "All of the sites are heavily wooded and occupied by the most amazing spectrum of songbirds, woodpeckers, and owls."
What you should know
Site selection considerations: Campground layouts vary significantly in the Mount Vernon region. At Martin Stream Campground, Catherine M. advises, "The sites are pretty much on top of one another which is the only reason it's a 4 star for me. I prefer a little more secluded. If I go back, it'll probably be on either end of the season with hopefully less people."
Dump station policies: Some campgrounds restrict waste disposal frequency. Rod L. warns about Martin Stream: "There are no sewer hookups (which is fine) but you are only allowed ONE use at dump station upon leaving the campground."
Noise considerations: Proximity to roads impacts some locations. The Two Rivers Campground experiences "loud road noise from Route 2" according to Nancy W., which may disturb sensitive pets.
Tips for camping with families
Water recreation options: Honey Run Campground provides multiple water activities for families with pets. Drew P. recommends, "Perfect stay if you have kiddos and dogs! There's a playground, arcade, and beach. They offer kayak and canoe rentals."
Pet-friendly beach access: Several campgrounds maintain separate pet swimming areas. At Jellystone Park Androscoggin Lake, Tammy H. notes you get "Your choice of pool or pond. Great campground for kids."
Organized activities: Family-oriented entertainment keeps children engaged while pet owners handle animal care. Angela M. describes Jellystone Park's offerings: "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)."
Tips from RVers
Pull-through availability: Two Rivers Campground provides easily accessible sites for RVs with pets. Nancy W. explains, "Campers are a mix of seasonals and transients with sites varying from pull-thru, back-in, tent and one rental cabin."
Surface considerations: Site ground cover affects cleanliness when camping with pets. Nancy W. cautions, "One of the downsides is that our patio was a mix of sand and dirt which made for a mess in the RV and not a great place for our dog to lay in."
Hookup options: Mount Blue State Park offers limited services. Kelsey K. notes it's a "Standard Maine state park with good bathrooms and showers, clean, safe sites, friendly, happy staff and lots of fun little trails."