RV camping near Newcastle, Maine offers unique coastal access on the Pemaquid Peninsula. The region features significant tidal ranges of 9-11 feet affecting waterfront camping, with many campgrounds open seasonally from mid-May through mid-October. Mosquitoes can be particularly aggressive in coastal Maine areas, requiring commercial-grade repellents rather than natural alternatives.
What to do
Explore tide pools: At Sagadahoc Bay Campground, the tidal flats create unique opportunities for exploration. "When the tide goes out you have the entire inlet to walk around in and explore. At night the stars were absolutely amazing!" notes one visitor who particularly enjoyed the oceanfront RV spots.
Visit botanical gardens: Located near Boothbay Craft Brewery & RV Resort, the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens offer unique attractions. "Don't miss the Guardians of the Seeds (trolls) at the Botanical Gardens! Truly a one of a kind campground with amazing restaurant and brewery on site!" recommends a camper who spent a week exploring the area.
Kayak local waterways: Many campgrounds provide direct water access for paddling. At Shore Hills Campground, "The park has a short trail across to an island which our dog loved to run around on and jump in the water. The tides are crazy in Maine so be careful if you use the boat launch that you don't get stuck on a mud flat when the 9-11' tide disappears."
What campers like
Cedar showers: Megunticook by the Sea Campground offers unique shower facilities that received consistent praise. "The cedar showers are awesome! We've been excited to come back here since we left," mentioned one visitor. Another camper added, "Even though we're in a trailer with a bathroom I made use of the cedar showers for a long hot shower- awesome!"
Local lobster experiences: Fresh seafood stands out as a highlight. "Fresh lobsters cooked and delivered to our campsite. Who could ask for anything more in ocean front camping," shared one Sagadahoc Bay camper. Shore Hills visitors recommend local options: "For fresh lobster we head down to the waterfront to Atlantic Edge Lobster."
Site variety: Campers appreciate the range of site options. Shore Hills Campground "has a wide variety of sites that can accommodate everything from the biggest size RV to tents. Some of their 30-amp waterfront sites come with great views. They also have some sites tucked in the woods that are super wide with huge patios and lots of privacy."
What you should know
Reservation systems vary: Some campgrounds maintain traditional booking processes. One reviewer at Greenlaw's RV Park & Campground noted, "There is no deposit for reservations and payment is online. This place is awesome and quiet."
Insect preparation: Pack appropriate bug spray for coastal conditions. "It is coastal Maine and there are mean mosquitoes. My all natural bug spray which is usually strong enough for NY bugs is not effective there. So I have to go back to the basic commercial brands like Off which works for hours per spray."
Road noise considerations: Proximity to main roads affects some locations. At Boothbay Craft Brewery & RV, "If there is a down side to the park it would be the road noise. You are right off of Rt. 27, which is the main road into Boothbay Harbor. The upside is you can easily ride the bike lane into town for some exploring without having to deal with tourist parking."
Tips for camping with families
Beach access options: Thomas Point Beach and Campground provides family-friendly water access. "Great campground for someone who enjoys a more social experience, and access to many activities! There was plenty of walking to do, a playground, and lots of marsh area to explore with snails and horseshoe crabs around."
Clamming activities: Many coastal campgrounds offer clamming opportunities. "Clamming license, tools for digging and even pots are available at the office. You can order lobster bake and have it delivered to your camp site for dinner. The clams there are the sweetest and most delicious I have ever tasted, not to mention freshest."
Schedule around July crowds: Visit during strategic times for more space. "We noticed that the campground cleared out a lot the days after July 4th. Very quiet and possible to go on a last minute camping trip."
Tips from RVers
Electrical hookup planning: Bring extension cords for certain locations. At Thomas Point Beach and Campground, "The electrical hook ups are like 1 box for every 10 camping spots so they are kinda far away so make sure u have an extension cord of some sort and there's no water or sewer hook ups so fill ur water tank before parking."
Site selection by size: Large rigs should research access. "The roads to our site were easy to navigate with our 45' RV and tow car but the check-in area near the office is very small and tight and at times, it was very backed up and RV's were out on the main road."
Tree considerations: Some campgrounds have tight spacing with trees. At Camden Hills RV Resort, "Lots of tall pine trees provide shade but also make it a little difficult to navigate the roads. We had to go pretty slow to avoid hitting tree branches. Parking under the pines also meant a lot of sap on our roof which was a bear to remove."