Naples and the surrounding lakes region offers diverse camping sites on lakes, ponds, and rivers with sites available from May to October. Most campgrounds have hookups for RVs and some offer cabin rentals. Summer temperatures average 70-80°F during the day and 50-60°F at night with occasional thunderstorms, particularly in July and August.
What to do
Kayaking and canoeing on Long Lake: Long Lake connects to Sebago Lake through the Songo Locks, allowing extended paddling adventures. Lakeside Pines Campground offers waterfront sites where "Loons loons everywhere. Lots of wildlife. Good facilities. Full hookups for boondockers" according to Jeremy G.
Fishing in local waters: The lakes in this region offer excellent fishing opportunities. One camper at Colonial Mast Campground noted, "Great views of this quiet pond. Quiet campground with great campsite amenities. Has bathhouses which were clean. Lots of sites rented all summer. Great place to explore the area from. Boating options are amazing in the area."
Hiking nearby mountains: The Naples region provides access to several hiking trails. Christopher K. from On the Saco Family Campground mentioned "Camping for the night before the hike to the summit of Pleasant Mountain! Beautiful campground, super friendly owners, amazing Saco River access, and crazy reasonable rates per night."
Float trips on the Saco River: The Saco River offers gentle current for relaxing float trips. "We took a shuttle up with some kayaks- reasonably priced- and drifted back down 10 miles right to our site!" reported Kristy B. about her experience at On the Saco Family Campground.
What campers like
Clean facilities: Naples area campgrounds maintain good standards for bathrooms and shower facilities. At Sebago Lake State Park Campground, Rebecca L. observed "Bathrooms were clean. Beach areas were very nice for relaxing."
Family activities: Many campgrounds offer scheduled events and recreation. Jessica W. from Papoose Pond Family Campground reported "They have weekly events that we love! Tuesday trivia, Wednesday beach party, Thursday dance party, and Friday karaoke- the latter being the most fun! There are so many things for kids to do throughout."
Privacy between sites: Some campgrounds offer more secluded sites than others. Ani G. at Acres Of Wildlife Family Campground noted "The space between us and our neighbors is significant," while at Loon's Haven Family Campground, Greg S. appreciated the "Beautiful setting Friendly staff and patrons, dog friendly!"
Water access: Most campgrounds provide direct access to lakes, ponds, or rivers. "The lake is beautiful and right in the campground which makes it easy when you do want to hit the beach," said Michelle D. about Point Sebago Resort.
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Most camping sites near Naples, Maine require advance booking, especially for summer weekends. Jean C. advised about Poland Spring Campground: "The gate is secured; plan to arrive by 9pm for check-in. If you're tenting and don't need electric, sites 101-106 offer slightly more seclusion and are close to the water."
Site spacing varies significantly: Some campgrounds have more densely packed sites than others. At Loon's Haven Family Campground, Angela M. reported "The campground is on the small side with no chance of getting lost and has mostly seasonal campers there," while at Naples KOA, Jennifer F. observed "The new area has no trees and just looks like a big RV parking lot, but the older part has plenty of trees."
Seasonal weather considerations: The region can experience heavy rain, which affects camping conditions. Jess G. noted about Sebago Lake State Park: "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."
Pet policies vary: Most campgrounds allow pets but have specific rules. Ani G. from Acres Of Wildlife noted "I felt it was very awesome that they tag your pets incase they get loose somehow then they can be returned to you. They also gift them nice milk bones."
Tips for camping with families
Look for campgrounds with scheduled activities: Many Naples area campgrounds organize daily events for children. At Acres Of Wildlife Family Campground, Darci F. enthusiastically shared: "A must! This camp ground is FULL of fun for kids. There is activities and 2/3 playgrounds."
Consider sites with playground access: Campgrounds with play areas provide entertainment for children. Sarah L. commented about Acres Of Wildlife: "Amazing family activities to keep kids occupied, great sites, clean bathrooms (free showers), and a good restaurant if you don't want to cook. I know this will be the camp ground my kids remember when they're grown."
Check for beach quality and swimming areas: Sandy beaches are more comfortable for families with children. Bryan S. from Lakeside Pines Campground noted "We have been spending a week every summer at Lakesidepines for the past 10 or 15 years with friends whose family have been going for decades. Even when the campground is full, it never really feels crowded."
Be prepared for noise levels: Family-oriented campgrounds can be lively during the day. Becky T. observed at Acres Of Wildlife: "Huge campground on a lake with SO MANY activities, but also a lot of screaming kids."
Tips from RVers
Site access considerations: Some campgrounds have narrow roads that can be challenging for larger rigs. Katie B. from Lakeside Pines warned: "The road is tight so be prepared to drive close to trees."
Hookup locations vary: The placement of utility connections can require planning. At Acres Of Wildlife, Ed C. advised: "Be sure to bring extensions for electrical and sewer as a lot of sites are set up with difficult connection spots. Relatively level sites, long dirt road to get to is a bit of a problem."
Consider seasonal sites for extended stays: Many campgrounds offer longer-term options. Peter F. noted at Loon's Haven: "Lots of sites rented all summer. Great place to explore the area from. Boating options are amazing in the area."
Check site surface types: Some camping areas have sandy or clay-like soil that affects setup. Jennifer F. from Naples KOA mentioned "The sites were to close. The owners were dog breed prejudice," highlighting the importance of researching pet policies if traveling with dogs.
