North Yarmouth sits in the gentle hills of southern Maine, approximately 15 miles north of Portland at an elevation of about 100 feet above sea level. The region experiences distinct seasonal changes with warm summers averaging 80°F and winter temperatures frequently dropping below freezing. Fall camping season typically extends through October when leaf colors peak, though some glamping operations near North Yarmouth remain open year-round with heated accommodations.
What to do
Kayaking at Scarborough Marsh: Wild Duck Adult Campground offers access to nearby paddling opportunities. One visitor noted, "It is within a mile of the Audubon center office, where you can either put in your own kayak/canoe or rent one." The marsh provides excellent wildlife viewing with minimal crowds during weekday mornings.
Farm experiences: Wolfe's Neck Oceanfront Campground integrates agricultural activities with camping. A camper shared, "We stayed here this summer and was one of our favorites ever! This campground is located on an organic dairy farm. There is a farm cafe on site with local food." The working farm allows visitors to observe sustainable farming practices and seasonal operations.
Winter sports: For cold-weather visitors, snowshoeing and hiking opportunities exist even when temperatures drop. Many trails remain accessible with proper equipment. The region receives approximately 60-70 inches of snowfall annually, creating conditions for winter recreation from December through March.
What campers like
Lake access: Sebago Lake State Park Campground provides water recreation options on Maine's deepest and second-largest lake. One reviewer mentioned, "Sebago Lake is beautiful. Sites are very close together. Luckily many of the sites around me were not occupied but I get the feeling that is rare." The seven-mile sandy beach area remains less crowded on weekdays.
Adult-focused environment: Some visitors prefer quieter settings without children. According to a guest at Wild Duck Adult Campground, "This adult only campground is peaceful and quiet, with the sounds of birds and the trees being the main thing you hear - it is quite relaxing." The 21+ policy creates a different atmosphere than family-oriented properties.
Family entertainment: Multiple campgrounds offer structured activities for children. At Paradise Park Resort, "This campground is very cute, oriented to families and couples. There are multiple pools and playgrounds. One pool has a hot tub for kids. There's also paddleboats available to rent." Many campgrounds schedule regular weekend events from Memorial Day through Labor Day.
What you should know
Seasonal operations: Most campgrounds in the region operate from May through October. One exception is Maine Forest Yurts, which offers year-round glamping close to North Yarmouth. A winter visitor reported, "It was extremely cold during our stay and I was surprised how well the wood stove worked to keep us toasty though we had to get up through the night to keep adding wood."
Mosquito preparation: The marsh areas create breeding grounds for insects, particularly in June and July. A camper at Wild Duck noted, "The mosquitoes 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." Long sleeves and DEET-based repellents are recommended during evening hours.
Site privacy varies significantly: Many campgrounds feature closely spaced sites. A Sebago Lake visitor observed, "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."
Tips for camping with families
Activity planning: Acres Of Wildlife Family Campground specializes in kid-friendly programming. One parent shared, "Amazing family activities to keep kids occupied, great sites, clean bathrooms (free showers), and a good restaurant if you don't want to cook. I know this will be the camp ground my kids remember when they're grown." Many activities require pre-registration during peak season.
Beach accessibility: Several campgrounds offer transportation to nearby beaches. At Paradise Park, "Walking distance to Old Orchard Beach, this campground has something for everyone. While the site are fairly small and crowded, it hardly matters because of all of the amenities at the campground... A shuttle will take you to the town beach or you can walk/ride bikes the .25 miles."
Halloween camping events: Special themed weekends occur throughout fall. A visitor to Freeport/Durham KOA described their experience: "This visit we had our hybrid camper in one of the wooded sites. The Halloween celebration is really well done- campers decorate their sites, there is an in-costume parade, and the central, bigger rigs are set up for trick or treating." These themed weekends typically sell out weeks in advance.
Tips from RVers
Site selection considerations: Many RV areas lack natural screening between sites. A Bayley's Camping Resort visitor noted, "If you're looking for all the bells and whistles, full amenities and location to town this is it... Depending on your site location you may get more privacy than if you stay in the big rig sites. The wooded sites tend to be more private and less loud."
Off-season advantages: Shoulder season camping offers better availability and lower rates. An October visitor to Old Orchard Beach Campground stated, "Our gravel site was perfectly level with no potholes and the roads leading to our site were easy to navigate in our 45' motorhome. The patio was gravel and there was some grass between campsites... There was not much shade at our site which was fine with us because it was October when we visited and wanted the sun."
Utility placement challenges: Some sites have unusual hookup configurations. A camper at Acres Of Wildlife advised, "Be sure to bring extensions for electrical and sewer as a lot of sites are set up with difficult connection spots. Relatively level sites, long dirt road to get to is a bit of a problem." Extra-length water hoses and electrical cords are recommended.
