13 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Established tent campgrounds near Old Orchard Beach, Maine provide convenient access to the region's sandy beaches and coastal attractions. Sun Outdoors Saco Old Orchard Beach offers tent-only camping sites from May 1 to October 15, situated among tall pine trees that provide welcome shade during summer months. Swans Falls Campground in Fryeburg presents another tent camping option with sites along the Saco River, operating from May 26 to October 9. Mac's Camping Area in Poland features 30 tent sites with both drive-in and boat-in access, making it suitable for campers seeking water activities.
Tent campsites throughout the region vary in amenities and surface conditions. Most established campgrounds provide level, graded sites on dirt or gravel surfaces with picnic tables and fire rings. Sun Outdoors sites include access to drinking water, electric hookups, showers, and toilets, while Swans Falls offers more primitive tent camping with basic amenities like drinking water, toilets, and trash disposal. Highway noise can be noticeable at some locations, particularly for tent campers without the insulation of an RV. One tent camper noted that "highway noise nearby is noticeable if tenting," suggesting light sleepers may want to request sites farther from roads.
Walk-in tent sites at Huttopia Southern Maine in Sanford offer a more secluded camping experience with 107 sites available from Mother's Day to Columbus Day. The wooded setting provides natural separation between campsites, though summer weekends can become crowded. According to reviews, tent sites along the wooded edges of Sun Outdoors (specifically sites 96, P5, P4, P3, P2, and P1) offer "full shade and privacy" compared to more exposed areas. Campers seeking backcountry tent camping experiences may prefer Webbs Mills Stead, which features a single walk-in tent site with drinking water, electric hookups, and basic amenities. For those prioritizing water access, Saco Bound provides tent camping right on the Saco River, though a camper noted it "gets busy in the summer" with day-use visitors and paddlers.
"Just a stones throw away from Old Orchard Beach, fantastic Sandy Maine beach. Staff was friendly. Only thing I would say is there were a lot of people!"
"This campground is four miles from Old Orchard Beach which is a trip. It is a throw-back from your childhood when carnival rides and funnel cakes made you so happy. "
from $248 - $374 / night
Check Availability"Multiple pools, a water slide, high ropes, a jump pad, mini golf and more!!! My niece had so much fun! Sites are close together and they are short staffed but other than that a great place!"
"Mac's camping has large RV Sites with access to their private beach & boat launch! Make sure to check them out and leave a review on the Dyrt about your stay!"
from $40 - $45 / night
Check Availability"Sites are wooded but not a ton of space/trees in between them. Some sites are right on top of the Fryeberg fairgrounds, was glad we didn’t have those."
"It's in a nice, open pine forest and there is a beautiful walking trail by the Saco River. I biked in so no idea about other utilities."
from $25 - $50 / night
Check Availabilityfrom $5 - $40 / night
Check Availability
GuideJust a stones throw away from Old Orchard Beach, fantastic Sandy Maine beach. Staff was friendly. Only thing I would say is there were a lot of people! A hot tourist destination, if you are looking for something in the deep woods not the best, but family camping and close activities! Yes! Drive in close to camp as well.
LegendOld Orchard Beach is a fun, family-oriented campground located in the fun little beach town of Old Orchard Beach. Old Orchard is known for their amusement park, arcade, pier, fun downtown, and expansive beach with seven miles of room to walk. Here you can stroll along the streets listening to the melodic sounds of an arcade, buy an airbrushed t-shirt and eat pier fries and fried dough. And the best thing is there is a trolley that takes you from the campground to the beach so you don’t have to deal with parking.
When the summer season is in full swing, there is lots to do in the campground and at the nearby Atlantic Ocean beach. There are lots of amenities in the campground like a basketball court, Wiffle ball field, horseshoes, badminton, playgrounds, arcade, swimming pools and hot tub, group bonfire, and dog park. The campground is quite large and divided into a variety of sections, some areas are all seasonal campers and others are for transients. The campground offers RV sites, cabin rentals, park model sites, and simple tent sites. We liked the sections in the back (Bear Brook and Black Forest) which are set away from the entrance and the majority of activities. We visited in the off-season but can only image the park gets pretty busy especially in the front section where the swimming pool, arcade, camp store, and other activities are located. The campground is gated which limits who can come into the park. If you want to have guests, plan on shelling out a bit of cash as it is $8/day for kids and $10 for adults and$12 for overnight guests.
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. Our picnic table was clean and not made of old rotten wood with sagging benches. There was not much shade at our site which was fine with us because it was October when we visited and wanted the sun. We were able to pick up wifi at our site because we were close to a tower. Our Verizon phone and hotspot worked great as did the parks cable television. The campground is just one mile from Old Orchard Beach and close to Route 1 which is the main corridor leading up and down the Maine coast.
The nearby town of Biddeford has some great restaurants(Palace Dinner, Run of the Mill Public House and Brewery, and Dunston Tab and Table). While the campground is large enough for a good long walk, we prefer to walk the wooded trails at Ferry Beach State Park. If you are looking for something for kids to do there is Funtown Splashtown which is a large water and amusement park and you can get discount tickets at the campgrounds camp store
LegendThis campground is four miles from Old Orchard Beach which is a trip. It is a throw-back from your childhood when carnival rides and funnel cakes made you so happy. The town smells like fried food and pizza and shopping consists of t-shirts and beach chairs. Saco is a town that has seen recent revitalization where old buildings are transformed to bustling breweries and storefronts are filled with galleries and boutiques. Not too far from the campground are the towns of Kennebunkport, Wells, and Biddeford and a little farther will have you in Ogunquit or Portland.
The campground sits among tall pine trees which offer nice shade helps alleviate some of the feel of a crowded campground. There are a myriad of sites including rustic tent, cabins, and full hook-up RV sites that accommodate the largest of RV’s. Wifi and cable are available and sites have picnic tables and fire pits.
One of the nice features was the on-site restaurant which claims to be famous for their “blueberry pancakes” and also offers Belgian waffles, pizza, hamburgers, and hot dogs. I admit the pancakes were delicious and loved eating them campfire side. Amenities include a heated pool, hot tub (adults only), basketball, volleyball, playground, and various activities like s’mores, crafts, ice cream socials and more. This campground is very kid-friendly so if that is not your thing don’t come in the summer. The restrooms and showers were really clean and you constantly saw yellow-shirted people busily working.
In the summer there is a shuttle that takes you to the beach which is convenient. During the shoulder season dogs are allowed on the beach but not the summer. A great place to explore is Rachael Carson National Wildlife Refuge. There is a small welcome center and trails that wind through the marsh with some beautiful views (and dog-friendly). If you have kids and like water parks, Funtown Splashtown USA is a popular place especially on warm days and just down the street.
We loved our lunch at the Run of the Mill Public House and Brewery which has a varied food menu with creative selections and good beer. The restaurant is in an old mill and retained some of the interesting original architectural features. If you like to paddle, head to the Saco River Marsh. Here you can put in your own boats or rent some and paddle through beautiful marsh – just watch the tides. There is also a parking lot for an extensive walking/biking trail.
LegendDesert of Maine campground is an excellent choice just 4-5 miles from the heart of Freeport at interstate exit # 22. This campground is well-imagined. Sites are close together, and some are small. There are 2 hike-in sites which are set apart. Wifi is provided throughout the campground and most sites have power. They must have studied "best practices" when designing this lovely campground.
I booked an extra night.
This is an outdoor experience campground- not a wilderness adventure -- but perfect for young families…especially for those new to camping or those for whom a very sanitary classic bathroom is needed.Children find and entertain each other in the common area.
Sites 19-27 face a shared square with excellent access to the modern and stylish bath house. Other sites have a somewhat further walk. Sites 17-27 are best for tents due to the configuration of the sites.. Tent sites # 2 & # 3 are short walk-in and very private, but lack easy access to the bath house. Almost all sites in this campground have shade and are under a beautiful canopy of old pine, maple and balsam.
Site 24 is lovely & slightly set apart and cars are parked close by but not on the tent site. Site 27 is located down a steep slope and is very private but has difficult access. I would categorize site 27 as a hike-in site, but not # 24. All sites are generally level and have been graded. Sites have scant privacy in front, but back up to forest. Sites 4, 6,17, 19, 23 & 26 have slightly more space but space is not the defining issue in this campground. RV's that are large should not try this campground. The maintenance is superb; and the thoughtful design of the overall campground is aesthetically pleasing.
This attractive campground is small-scale and personally managed.
Ice is available for purchase…as is wood.
Beware of speed trap on the 2 mile access road between the interstate & campground.
ScoutWalking distance to Old Orchard Beach, this campground has something for everyone. While the site are fairly small and crowded, it harldy matters because of all of the amenities at the campground. The staff is vigilant about keeping quiet hours, but allow you to have fun at the same time. A shuttle will take you to the town beach or you can walk/ride bikes the .25 miles. We had a large group ranging in age from 3 to 53 and everyone had a blast!
ScoutWe tent camped at Saco/Old Orchard Beach KOA. The staff was very friendly and when I called to book the site, they assisted in helping us pick out the nicest campsite. This KOA is close to Old Orchard Beach, the city of Portland, and towns of Kennebunkport, Ogunquit, Wells and Kittery Outlets. We enjoy staying here and would highly recommend it to others.
ScoutPrimitive large campsites, no hookups...no water, no cable, no electric. Clean bathrooms and pay showers. Been camping here for over 30 years..in a tent originally and now a 30 ft trailer..been to many campgrounds with lots of amenities and activities and our kids would rather be here than anywhere else. Now our children will bring their children here, it feels like our second home.
LegendFirst of all, the location is a little quirky and I think I only arrived once without a wrong turn! Watch the GPS carefully. That said, it’s very close to Hampton Beach and you can easily drive or bike over. The campground is parallel to US1, so there is some road traffic noise. Some of the tent sites overlook the marsh. The tent sites are definitely tighter than trailer sites. Some sites back up to each other and it takes a moment to understand where one ends and the next begins.
I was here early in the season and placed in a seasonal site with water/electric. Site was level. Neighbors were friendly. The bathroom was a short walk away and spotless. I did notice that in the tent areas, the main bathrooms are supplemented with portable toilets. Sites are mostly wooded, which will offer nice relief from the heat. It's a nice base for exploring the area.
There’s a gated entry and turtle-speed limit that they take seriously. The pool was not yet open. There’s a small store onsite for ice and essentials. All the big box stores and a number of restaurants are nearby. For a change of pace from seafood, I picked up Shane's Texas Pit BBQ and brought it back to my site.
You may request a reservation online, but you have to confirm and pay for it via the phone. You’ll need to arrive before 9pm to check in. Bring $10 for a cash deposit on the gate card. Only 1 vehicle and 1 camping unit (tent or trailer) allowed on a site.
Downside: They charge for showers, the amount and duration is unclear and the duration varies depending on which shower you choose! Given the rates they charge, this seems petty.
GuideA friend and I decided to camp here before a backpacking trip in the Whites, to cut down on morning-of driving time. Our site, #02 on Loop 2, was in very close proximity to all of the neighboring sites. We had children on several sides, and a rowdy group of adult men on another side. Quiet hours are supposed to start at 10:00pm, but our rowdy male neighbors were up, playing music, talking loudly, and singing, until midnight. Then, just when we thought they were ready to settle in, they turned on a headlamp aimed directly into our tent. We are both very experienced car campers and backcountry campers, but even we struggled to get any rest through all the noise and light. The staff drove by a few times in a golf cart but never stopped to encourage this group to quiet down or use a little etiquette/common sense with their headlamp use. It wouldn't have been so much of a problem if the sites weren't SO close to each other. I attached a photo to show just how closely all the sites are situated; that's my backpacking tent, for scale.
Tent campsites near Old Orchard Beach, Maine provide access to coastal recreation within a climate zone that experiences warm summers averaging 79°F and cold winters with significant snowfall. The camping season typically runs from May through October, with most facilities closing before the first frost. Several campgrounds offer tent sites with varied tree cover and amenity levels depending on location.
Beach shuttle access: Sun Outdoors Saco Old Orchard Beach operates a trolley service that transports campers directly to the beach during summer months. "There was a trolley to the beach but lots to do at the campground too," notes Erin M., who appreciated the convenience when staying with family.
Wildlife refuge exploration: Nearby Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge offers hiking opportunities through coastal marshland. "A great place to explore is Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge. There is a small welcome center and trails that wind through the marsh with some beautiful views (and dog-friendly)," according to Nancy W. at Sun Outdoors Saco Old Orchard Beach.
Water recreation: The Saco River provides paddling opportunities for tent campers at several locations. "Right on Saco River. Gets busy in the summer," reports Brian P. about Saco Bound, which offers tent sites near popular river access points.
Wooded tent sites: Campers appreciate sites with natural shade and separation. "Sites are wooded but not a ton of space/trees in between them," notes K R. about Swans Falls Campground, adding that their group with three tents "all fit in the large site easily."
On-site dining options: Some campgrounds offer food service that campers find convenient. "I admit the pancakes were delicious and loved eating them campfire side," shares Nancy W., referencing the on-site restaurant at Sun Outdoors Saco Old Orchard Beach, which serves breakfast and other meals.
Water activities: Salmon Falls River RV Resort includes multiple water features beyond natural swimming areas. "Multiple pools, a water slide, high ropes, a jump pad, mini golf and more!!! My niece had so much fun! Sites are close together and they are short staffed but other than that a great place! I loved the lazy river and had so much fun!" reports Samantha N. about Salmon Falls River RV Resort.
Site selection matters: At some campgrounds, choosing the right location affects your experience. "We 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," notes Rachel P., suggesting that corner or edge sites often provide more privacy.
Seasonal crowds: Summer weekends bring heavy visitor traffic, particularly at water access points. "On weekends there's a huge line up of people putting in to float down the river, which is busy and noisy. It calms down by afternoon," advises K R. about the Swans Falls area.
Diverse accommodation options: Huttopia Southern Maine in Sanford offers walk-in tent sites alongside glamping options. "Grounds are manicured and aimed to be family friendly," reports A.C., who visited shortly after new ownership took over the 107-site property.
Activity planning: Campgrounds with structured programming help entertain children. "Kid activities were done regularly... Outdoor movies were fun," shares Jill P. about her experience at Sun Outdoors Saco Old Orchard Beach.
Water features: Mac's Camping Area in Poland offers both camping and water access. "Mac's camping has large RV Sites with access to their private beach & boat launch!" notes Jake C., highlighting the appeal for families seeking water recreation.
Nearby attractions: The region includes family-oriented destinations within short driving distance. "If you have kids and like water parks, Funtown Splashtown USA is a popular place especially on warm days and just down the street," recommends Nancy W.
Site utilities: Some campgrounds primarily serve tent campers with limited RV hookups. "This campground allows day use and kayak/canoe launching," notes K R. about Swans Falls, where tent camping is the primary accommodation.
Transition periods: Management changes can affect operations. Aaron G. shares about Salmon Falls River RV Resort: "If I have one issue it would be that it went to a KOA which isn't bad but the transition year seemed a bit wanky and hopefully this year will be better as my kids love it there and we'll continue to go back often."
Navigation challenges: Steep or narrow access roads can present difficulties. Kirsten J. warns about one nearby campground: "The road to get to Viewland Campground is very steep. The campground loop is a one-way loop that is not easily marked. The road was very narrow and we were very close to some RVs that had been on the property for decades."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Old Orchard Beach, ME?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Old Orchard Beach, ME is Sun Outdoors Saco Old Orchard Beach with a 4.2-star rating from 22 reviews.
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TheDyrt.com has all 13 tent camping locations near Old Orchard Beach, ME, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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