Best Campgrounds near Old Town, ME

Camping near Old Town, Maine encompasses a range of established campgrounds within a short drive of the Penobscot River and University of Maine area. Several well-maintained RV resorts and campgrounds are located in neighboring communities, including Pumpkin Patch RV Resort in Hermon, Paul Bunyan Campground in Bangor, and Pushaw Lake Campground in Orono. These facilities provide convenient access to both outdoor recreation and urban amenities, with most situated within 10-15 miles of Old Town's center. The area's camping options benefit from proximity to water features, including Pushaw Lake and the Penobscot River, offering opportunities for fishing, boating, and wildlife viewing.

Most campgrounds in the Old Town region operate seasonally from May through mid-October, closing during Maine's harsh winter months. Summer temperatures typically range from 60-80°F, with occasional humidity and afternoon thunderstorms. Fall brings cooler temperatures and spectacular foliage, making September a popular camping month. Reservations are strongly recommended during peak season (July-August) and holiday weekends. Fire permits are required at most locations, and restrictions may be implemented during dry periods. Cell service is generally reliable near established campgrounds, though coverage can be spotty in more remote areas. Many campgrounds offer Wi-Fi, though connection quality varies.

The camping experience varies significantly between facilities in the Old Town area. RV-focused resorts like Pumpkin Patch and Pleasant Hill Campground offer full hookups, recreation facilities, and family-oriented amenities. According to one camper at Pleasant Hill, "Sites are spacious with connections well placed and in good repair. Most sites are pull-through with no huge hills." For those seeking water access, Pushaw Lake Campground provides boat-in sites and waterfront camping with swimming opportunities. Most campgrounds are pet-friendly with standard leash requirements. Big rigs are accommodated at several facilities, though some waterfront or wooded sites may have length restrictions or challenging access.

Best Camping Sites Near Old Town, Maine (134)

    1. Pumpkin Patch RV Resort

    9 Reviews
    Hermon, ME
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (207) 848-2231

    $50 / night

    "We have been here around six times. It’s a quiet peaceful campground. It is very well kept, and the staff is always welcoming. Sites are large and level. Nice walking areas and close to dunkin!"

    "Stayed Here for one night after picking up a new travel trailer nearby. The staff and campers were all very friendly and welcoming."

    2. Paul Bunyan Campground

    4 Reviews
    Bangor, ME
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (207) 941-1177

    "Beautiful campground close to all the attractions"

    "Close to the cross center and the waterfront concerts. Quite"

    3. Pushaw Lake Campground

    1 Review
    Stillwater, ME
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (207) 945-4200

    "The wind was coming right off the lake which made it particularly hard to set up. Blocking the wind with our car was our only choice."

    4. Bangor Holden KOA

    4 Reviews
    Holden, ME
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (207) 843-6011

    "Quick walk to bathrooms & showers, which are very clean. Held lots of activities over the weekend, busy crowd. Got a nice secluded tent space."

    5. Pleasant Hill Campground

    2 Reviews
    Levant, ME
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (207) 848-5127

    $30 - $50 / night

    "No huge hills, several trash dumpsters conveniently located and even a barrel for animal waste. Bath house conveniently located.

    Campground has playground, pool and rec room."

    6. Parks Pond Campground

    3 Reviews
    Otis, ME
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (207) 843-7267

    "My spot was right next to road. I honest didn't notice road threw out the night. Water rentals kayaks etc were very reasonable. Staff was very nice."

    "THe all around environment was very welcoming. I will definitely stay again in the future."

    7. Cold River Campground

    1 Review
    Veazie, ME
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (207) 922-2551

    $35 - $75 / night

    8. Micro A-Frame Cabin

    2 Reviews
    Alton, ME
    16 miles
    Website

    $69 / night

    "As a single female - it is QUITE amazing to be able to calm this little piece of peace a joke away from home!"

    "This little slice of peace was well worth the drive! My fiancé and I stayed for just one night and spent the entire time hanging out around the fire or lounging inside the A-Frame."

    9. Red Barn Campground

    1 Review
    Holden, ME
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (207) 843-6011

    10. The Hawnets Nest

    1 Review
    Stetson, ME
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (207) 945-1944

    $60 / night

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Recent Reviews near Old Town, ME

445 Reviews of 134 Old Town Campgrounds


  • RThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 6, 2025

    Two Rivers Campground

    Quiet on the River

    Very nice with easy access with wonderful hosts.

  • Jessica D.
    Oct. 5, 2025

    Peaks-Kenny State Park

    It has been an excellent experience.

    Everyone has been really nice, beautiful beach and trails. I got the only walk-in site it might be the best site here

  • TThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 5, 2025

    Machias River Camp off Route 9

    My favorite spot in Maine!!

    Super cool mixed use land with established campsites. 6 or 7 in total I think. Right on Machias river. Great ATT service.

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 27, 2025

    Forest Ridge Campground

    Clean, quiet and affordable

    Stayed here while visiting friends and Acadia NP. Facilities very clean every time I saw them. Showers were nice but you need to wait for the hot water. Run it all hot and it will get there in a little while. Wood available on site. Open spaces in the middle with no trees or shrubs. Campers can be very close. Sides have more wooded sites. Not too many seasonal looking sites. 1 issue: our clean out was a bit high so had to lift sewer hose to clear it out. Didn’t use pool , laundry area worked good , screen porch at facility building. Fire ring worked out well, kept lots of heat in. We were off-season mid September. Reservation system forced us into our site, wants to charge a site selection fee.

  • SThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 23, 2025

    Bar Harbor/Oceanside KOA

    Nice location, actually on the ocean

    A bit pricey, but it is a nice location and the free island bus stops right at the KOA

  • T
    Sep. 21, 2025

    Spacious Skies Balsam Woods

    Russell

    Very nice staff friendly,everything met our expectations, will definitely book a week for next summer.

  • CThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 19, 2025

    Smuggler's Den Campground

    Great place

    We stayed here one night in mid September without a reservation. Helpful staff, clean and tidy campground. There is a new bathhouse by the tents which I used - very nice! I would come again!

  • R
    Sep. 12, 2025

    HTR Acadia

    Quarry Ledge Campground by Modern America

    As of 9/25 address is not in Apple Maps, we had to enter Somes Sound View Campground. Nice campground, sites are nice size, fairly private and mostly level. Our site has water and electric on the wrong side. Excellent shower house.

  • CThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 10, 2025

    Balsam Cove Campground

    Great place!

    We stayed here one night in September in a Tuesday. Quiet, very few people. Had a non electric site without water and paid the same price as the state park in Camden. This place had much nicer showers and bathrooms. Would return!


Guide to Old Town

The best places to camp near Old Town, Maine range from lakeside options to rural woodland retreats, with most campgrounds situated within a 20-mile radius. The region has sandy loam soil that drains well after rainfall, helping campsites dry quickly even after storms. Summer nighttime temperatures typically drop to 50-55°F, necessitating warmer sleepwear and proper sleeping bags even during peak season.

What to do

Fishing at local ponds: Pushaw Lake Campground offers excellent lake access with boat-in sites available. One camper noted, "The site included a picnic table, a fire ring and a charcoal grill. Buckets of well seasoned wood were available at the camp store right next to us."

Explore Acadia National Park: Many campgrounds serve as convenient base camps for day trips to Acadia. At Pleasant Hill Campground, one guest shared, "Campground located about 5 miles from Bangor and about an hour from Northern entrance to Acadia National Park and Bar Harbor. Lots to do and see!"

Attend summer concerts: The Bangor area hosts notable musical performances during summer months. The region includes venues with major acts performing regularly, and some campgrounds provide easy access to these cultural events.

What campers like

Clean facilities: Consistent maintenance is a common positive across campgrounds. At Pumpkin Patch RV Resort, a camper observed, "Sites are very clean and the park is well-groomed with maintenance people always mowing or cleaning sites. There is pretty good space between sites so you don't feel cramped or right on top of your neighbor."

Quiet atmosphere: Many campgrounds emphasize peaceful surroundings. One guest at Cold River Campground noted the "pretty small site but nice layout," indicating the compact but functional design that maintains separation between sites.

Dog-friendly amenities: Pet accommodations vary by location. According to one Pumpkin Patch visitor, there's "a new dog exercise area which has water and toys and is long enough for our Labrador retriever to chase a ball."

What you should know

Internet connectivity varies: While most campgrounds offer Wi-Fi, quality differs substantially. One camper at Pleasant Hill reported, "Only real disappointment was lack of cell coverage for AT&T and if you want internet you must buy a package. Upside to purchased package - there are very little slow downs. Just be sure to only use the number of devices you purchased. We paid $69 for 3 devices for 30 days."

Airport noise potential: Some campgrounds sit under flight paths. A Pleasant Hill camper mentioned, "Campground is quiet, except for the planes overhead as it is located in the flight path for the local airport, but you soon tune this out."

Water quality considerations: Municipal water supplies differ by location, with some campgrounds having distinct mineral content. Bring refillable containers if you're sensitive to water taste.

Tips for camping with families

Age-appropriate campgrounds: Not all locations cater equally to children. One Paul Bunyan Campground visitor found it a "beautiful campground close to all the attractions," making it suitable for families wanting to explore the region.

Playground availability: Some campgrounds feature dedicated play areas. At Parks Pond Campground, campers appreciate that "They have two wading areas, playground, sand box, laundry and arcade as well as a general store for extras you may have forgotten."

Organized activities: Several campgrounds schedule family-friendly events. One camper noted many campgrounds offer "activities - but mainly directed toward children," so check programming calendars when booking.

Tips from RVers

Site dimensions: RV sites vary significantly in size and layout. At Pumpkin Patch, a camper reported, "Most sites are level and there are long pull thrus so you don't have to unhitch if you are only staying one night."

Hookup placement: The location of utilities impacts setup convenience. According to a visitor, "All the hook-ups were well-placed and we did not need extensions to connect."

Entertainment options: Over-the-air television reception varies by location. One RVer mentioned, "We received about twenty over-the-air channels with our television antenna," providing entertainment options during inclement weather.

Frequently Asked Questions

What campgrounds are available in Old Town, Maine?

Old Town, Maine offers several nearby camping options. Pushaw Lake Campground is conveniently located near Orono and Old Town, offering boat-in, drive-in, and walk-in access with reservable sites, water, and toilet facilities. Cold River Campground in Eddington is another close option with drive-in, hike-in, and walk-in access. For those willing to travel slightly farther, Lake St. George State Park and several campgrounds near Acadia National Park provide additional options within driving distance of Old Town.

What amenities do Old Town campgrounds typically offer?

Campgrounds near Old Town typically offer essential amenities including water access, toilets, and reservable sites. Paul Bunyan Campground provides water, toilets, and is big-rig friendly. Parks Pond Campground offers similar basic amenities with drive-in access. Many local campgrounds maintain clean bathroom facilities with showers and flush toilets. Some campgrounds include additional features like camp stores, picnic areas, and recreational facilities. The more developed RV parks often provide full hookups, while state parks may offer more basic services but with better access to natural features.

Are there campgrounds near ATV trails in Old Town, Maine?

Yes, there are campgrounds near ATV trails in the Old Town region. Pumpkin Patch RV Resort near Hermon provides access to nearby ATV trail networks. The Hawnets Nest is another option with drive-in access that caters to ATV enthusiasts. The greater Bangor area, including Old Town, connects to Maine's extensive ATV trail system, with several campgrounds offering convenient staging locations for trail access. For the best experience, contact campgrounds directly before your trip to confirm current trail access and any special accommodations for ATV users.