Glamping options around North Waterford, Maine extend throughout the White Mountain foothills, with sites typically situated at elevations between 400-800 feet. The region experiences typical New England seasonal shifts with summer daytime temperatures averaging 75-85°F and overnight lows dropping to 50-60°F. Many campgrounds in the area operate seasonally from May through October, with peak foliage season running mid-September through early October.
What to do
Swimming at riverside beaches: Lakeside Pines Campground offers swimming at its Long Lake beaches. As one visitor notes, "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."
Tubing on the Saco River: On the Saco Family Campground provides equipment and shuttle service for river tubing. "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. The river was perfect, sandy bottom, refreshing current," shares Christopher K.
Hiking nearby mountains: White Mountain trails range from family-friendly to challenging terrain within 30 minutes of most campgrounds. One visitor to Moose Brook State Park Campground mentioned, "We chose this campground because it was dog friendly. Our site was very private and secluded, but close to bathrooms and showers. Facilities very clean! Quiet and peaceful at night. Very close to NH 4K hikes, and was a great base camp for us!"
Outdoor recreation activities: Most glamping sites offer organized weekly activities. At Papoose Pond Family Campground and Cabins, "We've been camping as a large group here every year for 12 years. Perfect spot to relax and get away from everything. Great amount of amenities and privacy," according to Amy W.
What campers like
Private sites with natural separation: Campers consistently mention site privacy as important. A visitor to Sebago Lake State Park Campground shared: "This campground was in the woods and was well maintained. The campsites definitely felt like they were on top of each other and are pretty small. We picked a medium one and could barely fit 2 tents and 2 cars with a safe distance from the fire."
Clean facilities: Well-maintained bathrooms and showers rank high on camper priorities. According to Tiffany C. at Papoose Pond, "This campground is amazing. It is perfect for family camping. There is so much to do for all ages. The staff are amazing and so friendly. Campsites are spacious. Bathrooms are very clean. All around wonderful experience!"
Water access options: Proximity to lakes or rivers is a major draw. At Lakeside Pines, one camper reported, "We had a beautiful waterfront campsite (Site 113). 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."
Camp store convenience: On-site stores save trips to town. "They have a nice store and laundry facilities," noted a visitor to Eastern Slope Camping Area, which offers direct river access for cooling down during hot summer days.
What you should know
Site selection considerations: Choosing the right site matters for your experience. At Lakeside Pines Campground, "Sites are cramped and close together," according to Brett D., while another visitor noted that some campgrounds have "sites around the lake very crowded together."
Bear safety measures: Wildlife precautions are necessary. At Jellystone Park™ Glen Ellis, "The camp staff were very pleasant and knowledgeable. In fact after checking in, one of the camp staff came by because they had forgotten to remind us to take care of our food and gear at night as there are black bears in the area."
Seasonal operation: Most glamping sites in the North Waterford area operate May through October. According to campground information, Papoose Pond runs from "mid May to Columbus Day" while Lakeside Pines operates "Memorial Day to Sep 15."
Weather preparedness: Maine weather can change quickly. One camper at Sebago Lake State Park noted, "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."
Tips for camping with families
Booking strategies: Reserve well in advance for premium glamping options, especially for summer weekends. Jellystone Park™ Glen Ellis recommends booking 6-9 months ahead for their 305 sites during peak season.
Kid-friendly amenities: Choose campgrounds with dedicated children's activities. Angela M. from Papoose Pond shared: "Went to Papoose over Memorial weekend with the family and had a blast! Staff was super friendly, tons of activities for kids and adults, nightly entertainment, and lots more! Played parents VS kids kickball and laughed so hard."
Family site selection: Sites near bathrooms often work better with children. Kaileigh K. reported about her first camping experience with a toddler at Papoose Pond: "We were on the pool/rec hall side and it definitely seemed less condensed over there than the pond side."
Entertainment options: Many glamping sites schedule regular activities. At Papoose Pond, "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 as well," according to a reviewer.
Tips from RVers
Site size considerations: Check campground maps for RV-friendly sites. At Two Lakes Camping, "Getting into your site with a camper requires maneuvering no matter how you come into the campground."
Hookup availability: Most glamping sites offer water and electric, with many providing full hookups. Eastern Slope Camping Area features sites with "a wooden canopy, picnic bench, electrical, water spigot & designated fire pit."
Road access challenges: Some glamping areas have narrow access roads. Katie B. noted at Lakeside Pines, "the road is tight so be prepared to drive close to trees."
