The majority of RV campgrounds near North Waterboro, Maine are situated within 30 miles of town, typically in the coastal areas of Wells, Old Orchard Beach, and Saco. Most parks operate seasonally from May through October due to Maine's winter weather conditions when temperatures can drop below freezing. The region features a mix of wooded and open sites with varying degrees of privacy between camping spots.
What to do
Kayaking the Scarborough Marsh: Located about 25 miles from North Waterboro, Wild Duck Adult Campground & RV Park sits near a prime paddling spot. "This quiet campground is about a mile from the Eastern Trail through the Scarborough Marsh. In theory, you can launch a kayak from the campground, but I would not recommend it. There is a culvert under Rt 9 that you need to pass under which is dangerous - the Audubon Center informed us that people have flipped in the culvert due to the current," reports one visitor.
Beach access via trolley service: Several campgrounds offer transportation to local beaches. At Wild Acres Sun RV Resort, campers appreciate the convenience: "Great location trolley will pick you up from the campground and take you to Old Orchard Beach. Very friendly staff," notes one guest. The trolley service runs throughout the summer season and eliminates parking concerns.
Visiting Portland: Many campers use these locations as a base for exploring Portland, which is 20-30 minutes from several area campgrounds. "We were within 20 minutes of Portland and 10 minutes to Old Orchard Beach," notes a camper at Saco Old Orchard Beach KOA. Portland offers restaurants, shopping, and cultural attractions without the cost of city accommodations.
What campers like
Clean, well-maintained facilities: Guests frequently mention the cleanliness of bathrooms and common areas. At Saco Old Orchard Beach KOA, one camper noted, "Sites are not too close, clean bathrooms, friendly service. Would definitely return!" Another visitor commented, "The bathrooms were the cleanest I've seen camping and the staff was incredibly friendly!"
Swimming pools and water amenities: Many parks feature pools that extend the swimming season beyond Maine's cool ocean temperatures. At Cole's Mine RV Resort and Campground, "The pool is heated and has an amazing water slide and themed. We had a blast and plan on visiting again next year!!" Another visitor adds, "Super fun pool and a small campground so not many people crowding the pool."
Wooded sites for privacy: Despite the generally close spacing at many RV parks, campers appreciate areas with trees. A visitor to Saco Old Orchard Beach KOA mentioned, "My sister and I lucked out with our cabin and the cul-de-sac it was in. It overlooked the woods and was a bit more secluded than many of the other sites." Tent sites numbered 96, P5, P4, P3, P2, and P1 were noted as "offering full shade and privacy."
What you should know
Site layout and spacing concerns: Many campgrounds have tightly packed sites, particularly during peak season. At Wild Acres Sun RV Resort, a camper observed, "Most sites your right on top of each other. And the campground map is missing the train tracks that are between the campground and the ocean. The trains all blow there horn and you will hear it if your at one of the site 'by the ocean'."
Insects can be problematic: Particularly in wooded or marsh-adjacent sites, mosquitoes require preparation. At Wild Duck Adult Campground, a camper warned, "The only negative of this place was the mosquitoes. They were TERRIBLE. In the time it took after we parked the camper, to when I could dig the bug spray out of our truck I was covered in bites."
Off-season quieter but limited amenities: Most facilities operate from May through October with reduced services in the shoulder seasons. A visitor to Thousand Trails Moody Beach noted, "We came in in October, the foliage is beautiful on the 'wooded' sites. Lounge closed for Covid, pool closed for season."
Tips for camping with families
Look for campgrounds with dedicated activities: Some North Waterboro area campgrounds organize regular events for children. At Wild Acres Sun RV Resort, a visitor observed, "Kid activities were done regularly. Pizza and breakfast is very good if you do lunch want to cook. Outdoor movies were fun." These structured activities can help keep children engaged throughout your stay.
Consider the seasonal crowd levels: Family-friendly environments vary significantly by season and day of week. One camper at Wild Acres Tent & Trailer Park noted, "We have been camping at Wild Acres for over 10 years. We will however, never return on Labor Day weekend - way too noisy and quiet hours were not respected (like people partying until 4am)."
Select sites away from high-traffic areas: For families with young children, site location matters. "The roads in the park are fairly narrow," one reviewer mentioned about navigating a local RV park. At Wild Acres, another camper advised, "Quiet hours were not regulated and although we did appreciate being able to sit at the fire past 11, the drunk people walking and driving golf carts around was a bit much."
Tips from RVers
Site orientation affects comfort: At several campgrounds, the arrangement of RV sites impacts the camping experience. A visitor to Sea-Vu West Premier RV Resort appreciated that "The close location to dining, motorcycle rides, wide/grassy sites and quietness all contribute to a very good stay." In contrast, a Thousand Trails Moody Beach camper found that "We don't like the campsites being sideways or parallel to the road, it feels strange."
Consider your site's landscape: Many RV campgrounds near North Waterboro offer a mix of wooded and open sites. "If you want shade, not much but you have plenty of space to just sit on your other side of your RV and use that for shade," noted a Sea-Vu West camper. This consideration becomes particularly important during summer months when temperatures can reach the 80s.
Paved roads benefit some camping styles: For families with bikes or mobility concerns, surface quality matters. A Sea-Vu West camper observed, "Roads are paved so kids can ride their bikes with ease. Place is very clean and close to the beech."
