Best Glamping near Norridgewock, ME

the campground was normal with nothing special, however, the park continues across the street and onto Maine rocky shoreline with access along the water which makes the entire thing more than worth it! the town is also quaint and everything Maine with ice cream on a pier and lobster boats galore! I’d go again!

This campground is a slice of heaven. Owners are terrific, and although the campground seemed full, everyone was quiet and respectful. Lots of fun stuff for the kids including live music. Try to snag the oceanfront sites - they are incredible. Location is great too for exploring mid coast Maine.

Jake from the Dyrt here!  The Loon's Nest is the perfect setting to enjoy the best of Maine, sitting along the lake with several mountains nearby.  Your hosts are also experienced with hosting guests and are excited to provide a great experience!  Check them out and please share some photos of your time at the Loon's Nest!

This was the perfect location to explore the mid Maine coast. The camp sites are large and well spaced apart. Bathrooms were clean. We loved the view from the top of Mt. Battie. Definitely check out the trails along the ocean. Mt. Battie Take Out is a great stop after a long day of exploring.

Great campground. Bigger than we expected. Our site looked right over the water. Direct access to Maine's rocky shore. Everything you need to be comfortable including hot showers and bathrooms cleaned three times a day. A basic rec room, playground, beautiful gardens, clean sites. Rvs are so close together and some seasonal snobs, but also tent sites some drive up and some walk to more private/dispersed. Small store friendly staff. Some sites have a wooden deck for picnic area overlooking water. Laundry, wifi, made it an easy week. We had rain and wind a couple nights, tarp went over tent as not permitted in trees. Just fine. We will definitely be coming back.

Calling Searsport Ocean Shores a campground is a disservice. This is a community. Astrig and Steve take their time to personally know each guest and make everybody’s experience amazing. The grounds are beautifully kept, and gives the campground a magical, whimsical feel. The local artists take the time to explain their craft to the guests and especially the children. My children made some great friends and gained some beautiful memories here. On our way out we had some trouble with our electric entry steps. Steve and another member of the community came and helped us out until we were able to rectify the problem. We will definitely be back annually. Don’t skip out on this place, it is a must stay while in Maine!

Camden Hills wouldn't be our first choice, but we were returning to Maine to retrieve our trailer after some truck trouble, and wanted something close to where we left the trailer. Sites were pretty picked out by the time I made plans. so I chose a "Medium" site and hoped for the best.

It was tricky getting our 20' trailer into site 13. I'm not the best trailer driver (long truck, short trailer) but I do get lucky from time to time. I backed the trailer in between the trees as a neighbor laughed, trying to avoid the culvert for the stream which would have been a disaster. The truck/trailer wouldn't fit, so once the trailer was parked and leveled, I "parallel parked" the truck to get it off the road.

I had a Falcon Guide to the Maine trails, and that, along with the park map, allowed us to do a nice loop of Mts. Battie and Megunticook. In order to not block the site, we packed up and asked to park in the "overflow" lot near the park shops.

Some of the turns in the roads were a little rough for bigger trailers, but we did okay. The dump station is further in the campground, so don't try to leave and miss it. Wifi seemed pretty strong but we kept turning it off. I didn't ask about how much it costs. 

Camden was a nice town; parking was problematic. The campground is about 2 miles from town, so not close enough to walk. It seemed like there were a lot of portapotties around, but that could be due to the Mt. Battie auto road traffic. We didn't try the bathrooms or showers.

Try to do your homework regarding sites, and anyone with a trailer should try to get a large one.

BF and I wanted a last minute fall weekend getaway in Maine, and ended up at the Augusta-Gardiner KOA. Generally tough to accomplish during leaf-peeping season, but we worked it out. We stayed at site T5, which was wooded but pretty open. Size was decent enough.

Overall, I’d say sites T8, T9, T10 are best if you’re tent camping. While all tent sites are tightly spaced next to one another, these 3 provide the most shade and privacy of the bunch.

Owners are super nice, but the campground could use a little love. Bathrooms and amenities are a little tired. There’s potential though, and some really cute details, like a little fairy house and homemade, bear-carved benches around a KOA-community fire pit, that make the campground endearing. Also, there’s a bunch to do during prime season, particularly for the kiddies- pool, mini-golf, bounce house, playground and space to runaround.

Camden Hills State Park was our third camping stop along Maine's coast and all three were wonderful. Our schedule allowed us to stay here only one night (disappointing!), but we loved this campground. Our site (74) felt private and was so beautiful among all the trees. While we didn't get to take advantage of the hiking trails, we drove up to Mt. Battie (part of this park) and the views were phenomenal! Had another friendly, helpful ranger check us in and, again, super clean bathrooms and showers. We explored the area a bit; loved Camden and headed down to Rockland to the Farnsworth Museum -- all within an easy drive. Also drove out to Owl's Head Point, but the fog overtook it. I bet it's super cool on a clearer day. Loved this place!

 As with all real estate, location, location ! The camp is well situated amongst many Maine towns all of which are worth a visit to. Camden is around 1 1/2 miles and is a nice place to spend a few hours walking around and enjoy New England. Booth Bay harbor is also a very nice town to visit along with Belfast.

The hiking trails at Camden are all excellent trails and going up to the summit of Mt. Beattie is worth the hike or if you ant there is the summit road with parking available.

From the summit are some spectacular views that shouldn’t be missed.

The sites aren’t all that level but they’re close. The bathrooms are somewhat dated but they were clean. The staff is very friendly and very helpful.

my husband and I were driving up to Maine for our 2nd anniversary trip. we hadn’t made any reservations- just kind of seeing where we’d end up. we’d read about this campsite before we left, and so we decided to just stop by and see if they had any available sites. now, this was the second week of July, so BEAUTIFUL weather (I don’t think it got above 80 all week). but we walked in and they immediately treated us like family. they set us up on a prime campsite right on the bay, and had amazing recommendations for things to do in the area. the atmosphere is sooooo friendly and laidback. the facilities are SPOTLESS. they have casual jam sessions every night around the bonfire (bring your instrument and they’ll fit you in!) and the lobster bake on Saturdays - don’t even get me started. if you only ever visit one site in your life, make it Searsport Shores!!! we can’t wait to go back!!

A magical place. This place is so much more than a beautiful campground nestled among gorgeous old growth trees located right on the shore. It’s also a treasure trove of arts of all kinds - fiber arts, metal sculptures, carvings, paintings, and music. We got lucky and stayed on a lovely weekend in September that featured a small, intimate festival and workshop of fiddlers, banjos, ukuleles, mandolins, and guitars jamming with old time and blue grass music. It’s also a place where people strike up friendly conversations, make friends, and enjoy interacting with Astrid and Steve the owners who jump into the arts, music, and other activities right alongside their guests. It’s also an organic garden with gorgeous flowers, heirloom tomatoes, beans, and cucumbers and a woof-burning pizza oven, fresh bread, homemade chowder, and the best scones in Maine. This place is magical and we would love to return - even for a full season. A new favorite special place.

Camden Hills SP is a no contest campground if you are visiting Camden and surrounding MidCoast areas. 9 out of 10 times I visit Camden (one of my favorite places in Maine), I stay at this campground. You are not only a short drive into town with shops, beaches and restaurants but also have access to many trails right outside of your tent (or camper). Camden is where the “Mountains Meet the Sea” and the trails in CHSP offer some of the most beautiful views on the coast. I personally am a sucker for ocean views from mountaintops. The park staff are the best and very friendly and knowledgeable about the park and trails. The campsites themselves are fairly secluded with enough tree and brush in between you and your neighbors to feel separated. Bathrooms/showers were very clean. Every time I have stayed here it has always been very quiet and relaxing—a great place to recharge. You are also close to many great kayaking/paddleboarding areas such as Megunticook Lake and Camden Harbor (Curtis Island Lighthouse is a must). I give Camden Hills all the stars.

I have come to Camden many times and have always loved it being in the area. The town is charming and there is so much to do in the immediate area and the surrounding towns of Rockland, Rockport, Owls Head, Lincolnville, and Belfast . . . just to name a few. One of the best parts of coming to Camden is Camden Hills State Park.

Overall, this is a really great park. Camden Hills State Park is located three miles from downtown Camden but the 5,700 acres provide you with that serene feeling that comes with being in the peaceful woods. We arrived just a few days after the park opened for the season so the campground was especially quiet. 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. One of the real pluses of this park were the miles and miles of hiking trails just outside our doorstep. Driving the tour road to the summit of Mt. Battie (elevation 800') is a must and the views are spectacular (especially for watching the sunrise). If you would like to burn a few calories try hiking the trail to the top for a truly rewarding experience.

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. The campgrounds website has a very helpful map showing which sites are reservable and what they offer. There is a dump station and water spigots are scattered throughout the campground. Free showers are located in the bathhouse/restrooms and were clean.

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. The Verizon signal on our phone and wifi on our hotspot were strong. The park does have free wifi at most campsites and the signal was very strong. (Sites #68-81 do not have wifi).

Reservations can be made on-line but only about half of the sites are reservable leaving the other half for walk-ups. I would advise making reservations if you want to stay over a weekend or during the summer season as this park really fills up. You can stay up to 14 days which would definitely require a reservation in the summer. Although the 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. There are really no amenities at this park other than the tour road to Mt. Battie, a swing set from the 1970's, a picnic shelter, and the trails.

Camden should be on everyone's list of places to see if you are traveling the Maine coast. Within 10 miles are great museums like the Farnsworth Art Museum, the Maine Lighthouse Museum, the Sail, Power, and Steam Museum, and others. There are attractive lighthouses and great restaurants. In neighboring Rockport is Shepherds Pie - one of our favorite restaurants and the Market Basket a great shop for pastries, sandwiches, wine, and coffee. Downtown Camden has a great wine and cheese shop called Lily, Lupine, and Fern and excellent clam chowder at Cappy's Chowder House. If you are looking for a great place to paddle or cool off in the crisp Maine water, check out Lake Megunticook just five miles away from the state park.

What we really liked was the convenient location to downtown Camden and other cute towns, 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. And the price was right at $27/night.

My family and I (two adults, 14 yo and a 9 yo) just visited Searsport Shores for the first time again since our kids were very little and were so happy to be back! We were there during high camping season/post Covid so it was very busy (especially the RV sites) but still very peaceful and quiet at night. The tent sites are completely seperate from the RVs and are in the woods, beautifully maintained. Only con is the sites are very close together so privacy is an issue sometimes, but the whole campground has a very community feel to it and we've always met some awesome strangers to hang out with. It makes it great for any age kid, there are always tons of kids around. The gardens, grounds and bathroom/laundry amenities that are offered are kept in beautiful clean condition. The rec room is a large but cozy place to hang out if/when it rains, with a fireplace and cozy couches. Just an all around great Maine experience. And the views!! I can't even begin to describe the views over the bay. We've visited during two ful moons and it's breathtaking. We hope to return soon!

This campground on the shore of Flagstaff Lake features large level sites nestled among towering pines, both with and without hookups (w/e; dump station available). There are clean showers, flush toilets, laundry, wifi in some locations, a campers only and a public beach, opportunities for canoeing and kayaking Flagstaff lake with rentals available if you didn't bring your own. Get a lakeside site to watch the sunrise, but know that the sites don't necessarily provide easy access for launching a canoe or kayak. I've used this campground as a basecamp as I was bagging the Maine 4000-footers in the area. It's a great place to return and relax after climbing the Bigelow range, Sugarloaf & Spaulding, the Crockers, even Saddleback, although that's a little farther away. If riding an ATV on the many area trails is your thing, just be aware that ATVs can't be ridden in the campground. In the evenings or early mornings you can explore the area in search of moose. There's a small rec hall as well as a cabin for games/reading/puzzles on a rainy day. There's also a playground and you'll often see kids riding around. It's a gated campground, so you'll get a gate pass for a $10 deposit, refundable upon return. There's a gas station/general store nearby. Group camping sites are separate from the individual sites. Reservations are low-tech…although you can inquire about availability via email, give them a call to make the reservation (or send a letter) because deposit is required at time of reservation. This is a beautiful non-profit campground I've returned to each time I'm in the area.

Camden Hills is ideally situated for exploring midcoast Maine with its rocky shores, islands, and lighthouses. I made reservations for several nights in mid-August, hoping to catch the Perseid meteor showers from the top of Mt Battie. The weather cooperated for one night! That said, I enjoyed exploring trails in the park and the town. There's a road to the summit of Mt Battie which offers views of the town and harbor below. Climb the tower for a view of the sunset. Other trails lead to Megunticook and different views. Camden has a pretty harbor to explore and nice seaside shops plus a few homemade ice cream stands. Put your kayak in and explore the islands. Drive farther afield and check out some classic lighthouses or take a ferry to some of the offshore island.

There are rustic sites as well as those with water and electric. They offer a mix of reservable and first-come, first-serve sites and require a minimum of two night stay on peak weekends. This place really clears out Sunday afternoon (at least in mid-August), leaving a lot of sites empty. I made reservations late and was in site 106, in a field area surrounded by trees, with 4 spots. The site was level and easily accommodated my small teardrop trailer. I would NOT recommend this site however, nor do I recommend 102-104 because they are very close to the dumpster. A full dumpster, high humidity, and warm temperatures lead to a ripe odors wafting to your site. I was grateful I wasn't there much during the day, but I didn't want to sit outside by my fire in the evenings. I have no idea why they placed the dumpster so close to the sites…and then don't get them emptied often enough. It was nearly full when I arrived on Friday and didn't get emptied all weekend. Sites are on the hillside, but generally level. Those on the loop higher up the hill do not offer hookups. Rates vary, higher for hookups and also higher for out-of-state guests. If you make reservations online, be sure to print and bring your permit with you.

The road to the summit closes at 8:30pm and the road into the campground & park closes at 10pm (with check-in by 9pm), so plan to arrive before that or park outside the gate. I wanted to leave early one morning, so I moved my car to the parking lot outside the gate to facilitate a departure before sunrise.

Your firewood purchase helps support the wi-fi in the park and it is available at most sites. Each site may have 2 devices on the wi-fi and it's adequate for basic browsing, but don't count on it for data-heavy activities. Cell phone coverage (Verizon) is spotty; I had better luck closer to the restroom in the lower loop than I did at my site.

Campground Review

We have been coming to Camden Hills and the midcoast Maine area for years, and we love this park. We have camped, hiked, and mountain biked here many times.

The camping area has different loops. Sites 1-50(ish) are more wooded, sites in the upper loop for the most part are more open and field-like. Some sites are reservable, some are first come first serve. Be aware of events in the area (lobster fest, etc) as well as holiday weekends - the park books up quickly in nice weather.

The park itself has some great hiking/running trails, including Mount Battie (accessible by auto road also) and Mount Megunticook. Not huge peaks by any means, but the trails up (especially Megunticook) are challenging rocky/rooty New England trails. Both offer beautiful views over Camden Harbor and Megunticook Lake. Mount Battie also has a tower at the top which is fun to check out!

The campground was very clean, and the staff very accommodating (on one of our stays we ended up in a more open site in hot summer weather. We were able to easily switch the next day when some campers moved out of the first come first serve sites in the more wooded loop.

The area is beautiful and full of great things to do. Across the street from the camping area are some trails and and picnic areas along the ocean. Downtown Camden is a fun town with great restaurants, coffee shops, and a beautiful harbor with boat tours and kayak rentals. Head south to Rockland and Owls Head for the transportation museum, or head north to Belfast (don't miss Marshall Wharf Brewing). There is some amazing mountain biking at the nearby Camden Snow Bowl and adjacent Ragged Mountain Preserve.

Product Review

As a Ranger for the Dyrt, I get products to test from time to time. On this trip I tested some bars and a backpacking meal from Wild Zora. Wild Zora is a line of paleo bars (meats and veggies) and dehydrated meals - see their website FAQ here for more info on the company and their products!

I had a variety pack of their meat and veggie bars as well as some paleo meals to try out. I have been snacking on the bars during hikes, as well as after a run and for a quick snack during busy times at work when I don't have time to get a full meal. The consistency of the bars is great - just chewy enough, and very satisfying. The flavors are interesting combinations and I haven't had any that I didn't like (parmesan beef was probably my least favorite, I really enjoyed all the others). We also tried out the Palisade Pineapple Mango meal to go for breakfast. The meals and bars have a good amount of calories in them - perfect for fueling before/during/after hiking, biking, etc. while camping. They also pack and travel well - stuff into a pack easily while hiking, but can also be thrown into a carry on for plane travel, etc - just add some water or open your bar and you have a healthy alternative during a long flight to your adventure destination.

My husband and I shared the Pineapple Mango meal as a snack with our coffee - it was tasty and filling. I liked the nutty taste and there was a lot of fruit in it (we had the older version, slightly bigger pouch with more calories). If I was fueling for backpacking or a long run/hike/bike the whole pouch would be perfect, over 600 calories in the older version, and 520 in the new pouches.

I would highly recommend Wild Zora as a fueling option for an active camping adventure. Interesting flavors and quality foods that are paleo friendly. My only improvement would be to see a couple of vegetarian meals to go incorporated into the lineup. I eat vegetarian most of the time and my husband is a vegetarian, so there weren't a whole lot of options to share with him that I could choose.

Brought the family here for a nice Father’s Day weekend. Good place to bring the kids. The staff here were are friendly and very helpful for any questions or camping needs you had.Everyone had fun. Bathrooms were clean and plentiful. Lots of fun activities to keep everyone in the family entertained. The themed weekends are a neat concept and enjoyable.