Best Campgrounds near North Waterford, ME

The North Waterford region of Maine encompasses several family-friendly campgrounds with diverse accommodation types. Papoose Pond Family Campground and Cabins provides extensive options from basic tent sites to fully equipped cabins, while Crocker Pond offers more primitive camping directly on the water. The area features both established campgrounds with full hookups and dispersed camping opportunities in the nearby White Mountains, with most sites situated within 20 miles of North Waterford's central area.

Most campgrounds in the region operate seasonally from mid-May through mid-October, with peak season running from Memorial Day through Labor Day. "This is a glamping campground and so much going on for kids and adults. The pond is amazing. The store is huge! The sites are huge!" noted one visitor about Papoose Pond. Road access varies significantly between developed and dispersed sites, with several campgrounds requiring reservations during summer months. Winter conditions make most camping areas inaccessible, though some winter-equipped cabins remain available at select locations. Facilities range from primitive sites with vault toilets to full-service campgrounds with electric hookups, showers, and water access.

Waterfront camping represents the most sought-after experience in the North Waterford area, with multiple campgrounds offering pond or lake access. A camper at Crocker Pond described it as "beautiful and peaceful with seven sites, most on the pond, and fire pits, fancy grill covers and picnic tables." Family-oriented activities are common at the larger established campgrounds, particularly at Papoose Pond, where amenities include swimming pools, organized activities, and rental equipment. The more remote dispersed camping areas provide quiet alternatives with minimal facilities but greater privacy. Most tent and RV sites throughout the region offer fire rings and picnic tables, though amenity levels vary substantially between primitive and developed locations.

Best Camping Sites Near North Waterford, Maine (254)

    1. Papoose Pond Family Campground and Cabins

    14 Reviews
    North Waterford, ME
    3 miles
    Website
    +1 (207) 583-4470

    "If you bring yoyr own kayaks there is a ruver with a take out close to the campground. U could walk back or drive in with a truck for pick up! This place is amazing! Will continue to go every year!"

    "Perfect spot to relax and get away from everything. Great amount of amenities and privacy."

    2. Crocker Pond

    9 Reviews
    North Waterford, ME
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (603) 466-2713

    $18 / night

    "Into the Whites from West Bethel, Crocker Pond is an off the beaten path car camping destination. Beautiful place to set up camp for a night to 14 days."

    "With no one else around we thought, “welcome to the perfect campsite.”  Each site offers a picnic table, fire ring, and access to the pond."

    3. Town Hall Road Dispersed

    19 Reviews
    Chatham, NH
    17 miles

    "There were plenty of sites to choose from and most (not all) had access to the river as well as a fire ring. Sites were on a dirt road, but it was quiet for the most part."

    "With a nice fire ring next to the river. Reasonably level spot for our van. Also there is a fun hiking trail just up the road. Camp sites are well spread out."

    4. Lakeside Pines Campground

    7 Reviews
    North Bridgton, ME
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (207) 647-3935

    $50 - $69 / night

    "Long Lake, Maine. Some lakeside sites. Lots of wooded sites with easy access to the lake. A few local permanent campers."

    "The lake is gorgeous. Rocks make direct access to the water from the site difficult, but there is a beach for water access not too far away. The staff was extremely nice and helpful."

    5. Basin Campground

    8 Reviews
    Chatham, NH
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (603) 447-5448

    $30 / night

    "It’s located in Evan’s Notch, so close to many wonderful hiking trails and next to lovely Basin Pond. So quiet!"

    "This campground has a day use area with a boat launch and picnic area on the right as you drive in. Non-motorized boats are allowed on the water and it’s a great swim spot in the summer."

    6. White Mountains Camping on Little Larry Road

    6 Reviews
    Gilead, ME
    13 miles

    "These campsites are located on a dead end dirt road.  The campsites are spread out so you are not on top of each other (I think there are only 8 sites on the road.) "

    "Highwater trail with bridge close by. Great stars. Creek runs through road near sites good for getting water to filter or washing. Trailhead at end of road."

    7. Bethel Outdoor Adventure and Campground

    6 Reviews
    West Bethel, ME
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (207) 824-4224

    "It is very close to the highway so there there is some traffic noise but not bad. Tents are in a different area."

    "There was a very cool suspension bridge to take you to on a walk to a private island. I definitely plan on visiting again!"

    8. Sebago Lake State Park Campground

    21 Reviews
    Naples, ME
    23 miles
    Website
    +1 (207) 693-6613

    $25 - $30 / night

    "Sebago Lake State Park is close to Portland, Maine and neighboring towns. Nice to be close to home so the drive to arrive isn’t so long. Nice scenery and helpful staff. An enjoyable weekend."

    "The campsites were very tight, but there was nobody around us so we had plenty of privacy. All campsites are short walk to the beach and very pleasant."

    9. Moose Brook State Park Campground

    29 Reviews
    Gorham, NH
    26 miles
    Website
    +1 (603) 466-3860

    $35 - $45 / night

    "This campground is just north bordering the White Mountain NF. Close to northern trailheads. NH take care in keeping their parks orderly. Nice site."

    "In addition to our designated spot, we had access to a large open space behind that many people utilized to play games or expand their camping area."

    10. Hastings Campground

    5 Reviews
    Gilead, ME
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (603) 466-2713

    $24 / night

    "Situated just off the Wild River and off of major roads, Hastings was incredibly peaceful while we were there."

    "A small campground located at the northern end of Evan’s Notch, close to some great hiking trails. Pit toilets. Very quiet."

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Recent Reviews near North Waterford, ME

1227 Reviews of 254 North Waterford Campgrounds


  • Marc D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 16, 2025

    Crawford Notch Campground

    Beautiful area

    Beautiful campground. Large secluded sites. Forested. Beautiful fall colors. Coin operated showers. Access to nearby trails.

  • Panvira T.
    Oct. 14, 2025

    Fransted Family Campground

    Good location

    The place so nice and cleaned,quite also close to you must see and things to do. The price reasonable too. Highly recommended

  • KThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 11, 2025

    Wolfe's Neck Oceanfront Campground

    Beautiful spot!

    We had a beautiful waterfront site, 10 minutes from downtown Freeport. The campground is a working farm that would be great for the kids. We will definitely be back.806

  • R
    Oct. 10, 2025

    Riverside Camping & RV Resort

    Impeccibly Maintained

    Easily one of the most well maintained sites we have visited. The host was attentive and gracious. Beautiful nature trails behind the campground. I found one that lead to a beach by the river, perfect for reading and relaxing.

  • Oksana S.
    Oct. 8, 2025

    Jellystone Park™ Glen Ellis

    Read before booking

    PLEASE READ BEFORE GOING We went to Jellystone Park at in Glen NH. We originally booked from Sunday to thursday. We left on Tuesday due to several issues with the cabin that the office staff refused to fix. Issues we had was 1. Cabin was filthy and had bugs inside. 2. Stove top wasnt working. 3. Fridge smelled so bad I had to wash it with warm water and dish soap. 4. Our cabin reeked like cigarettes to the point I couldn't bath my kids because when the bathroom got steamy the smell got sooo bad. I tried to adress the issues and was told they had a no smoke policy so its not their issue if it smelled because they did their part in putting a policy down. For it being filthy I was told they trust their cleaner so it qas me that made it filthy..(attached is one picture that I have this is just the bathroom on our first day their. Everything was covered in dirt, sand and soo dusty and bugs everywhere). I first spoke to James who yelled and was saying ridiculous excuses as to why its ok. Then the manager(dont remember name but she was older and blonde hair) screamed at me while I had my 2 year old with me. I was telling her calmly and very nice my concerns to which she was yelling to get out of the office. Then I was threatened to have the cops called if I complained again. I lost alot of money I cant afford to loose. But most important I was want to make people aware. I told them the website should state these things to be fair cause if I knew this i wouldn't have paid since they said its normal for stoves not to work and its out of their controll if someone smokes in the cabin. They said no one would stay if they posted those things. I left litterally shaking and crying because I couldn't believe it. They are nice if you dont complain. Discusting customer service horrendous management. Will be reporting everywhere already let my friends know so they dont go next year.

  • Yung H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 7, 2025

    Coos Canyon Campground and Cabins

    Fantastic

    Its a really cool spot to explore. I went when the water was low and was able to adventure where youre not meant to and man was it a blast.Found my own pride rock(lion king) and was able to meditate in silence and be away from all the boaters and atvs was super peaceful with a water near by. The tent campers around me were really solid people aswell.

  • S
    Oct. 4, 2025

    Crocker Pond

    Beautiful spot!!

    7 campsites in a really beautiful place!! We went in early October and about half the sites were full. It was very peaceful and great hiking nearby!


Guide to North Waterford

Camping near North Waterford, Maine, offers a mix of beautiful landscapes and fun activities for everyone. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventure-filled getaway, there are plenty of campgrounds to choose from.

What to do:

  • Hiking: Explore the trails around Dry River — Crawford Notch State Park. One reviewer mentioned, "Great Basecamp for lots of hikes in the area," making it a perfect spot for outdoor enthusiasts.
  • Fishing: Enjoy fishing at Moose Brook State Park Campground. A visitor shared, "Pulled an 8” brook trout out of a 10’ wide stream onsite," highlighting the great fishing opportunities.
  • Swimming: Relax by the water at White Lake State Park Campground. One camper noted, "The lake was beautiful—warm and crystal clear," perfect for a refreshing dip.

What campers like:

  • Clean facilities: Campers appreciate the cleanliness of the campgrounds. A review for Moose Brook State Park Campground stated, "Nice small campground with very clean bathrooms and showers!"
  • Privacy: Many sites offer a sense of seclusion. A visitor at Dolly Copp Campground mentioned, "The sites are very spacious and there are picnic tables everywhere," making it a comfortable choice for families.
  • Friendly staff: Campers often rave about the helpfulness of the staff. One review for Umbagog Lake State Park Campground said, "The staff and volunteers were amazing, helpful and you can tell they love their jobs."

What you should know:

  • Reservation system: Some campgrounds have a tricky reservation system. A camper at Crawford Notch Campground expressed frustration, saying, "The nicest sites were reserved the entire time we were there and they were total no-shows."
  • Noise levels: Be prepared for some noise, especially near busy roads. A review for Crawford Notch Campground noted, "You can clearly see other campers from your sites, there is not a single site that is private."
  • Water quality: Some campgrounds may have issues with water quality. A visitor at White Lake State Park Campground mentioned, "Water from the spigot is absolutely HORRID tasting," so it’s wise to bring your own drinking water.

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose family-friendly campgrounds: Look for places with amenities for kids. One parent at Sebago Lake State Park Campground said, "This is a nice park for families...lots of young children running around."
  • Plan activities: Make sure to have a list of activities to keep the kids entertained. A camper at Mount Blue State Park Campground shared, "We had a blast at the beach area, and enjoyed the solitude."
  • Pack snacks and drinks: Having snacks on hand can make a big difference. One reviewer at Coos Canyon Campground and Cabins mentioned, "The store had everything we needed," which can be a lifesaver.

Tips from RVers:

  • Check site sizes: Make sure your RV fits the site. A visitor at Moose Brook State Park Campground noted, "Not great for larger RV or trailers but we found accommodation for our 27 footer."
  • Bring extension cords: If you need electricity, be prepared with long extension cords. A camper at Umbagog Lake State Park Campground mentioned, "The electric hookup was so far from where we had to park."
  • Utilize dump stations: Familiarize yourself with the location of dump stations. A review for Dolly Copp Campground highlighted, "There is also a dump station available," which is essential for RV travelers.

Camping near North Waterford, Maine, has something for everyone, from families to seasoned RVers. Just remember to plan ahead and enjoy the great outdoors!

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near North Waterford, ME?

According to TheDyrt.com, North Waterford, ME offers a wide range of camping options, with 254 campgrounds and RV parks near North Waterford, ME and 11 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near North Waterford, ME?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near North Waterford, ME is Papoose Pond Family Campground and Cabins with a 4.9-star rating from 14 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near North Waterford, ME?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 11 free dispersed camping spots near North Waterford, ME.