Camping spots near Owls Head, Maine range from oceanfront to inland lake locations, with most facilities operating between May and October. The surrounding Penobscot Bay area sits at sea level, with significant temperature variations between summer daytime highs in the 70s-80s°F and nighttime lows that can drop to the 50s°F even in July. Campsites typically offer varied terrain from rocky coastal areas to densely wooded inland locations.
What to do
Kayak from waterfront sites: Waterfront campgrounds like Lobster Buoy Campsites provide easy water access for paddlers. "One of my favorite places to be. The ocean views are great. It's very laid back. Not a lot of amenities but you don't need anything. Just a tent, kayak and a camp chair. You're good to go!" notes Chad G.
Hike nearby trails: Camden Hills State Park offers multiple hiking options directly from camping areas. According to Jacki B., "This was the perfect location to explore the mid Maine coast. The camp sites are large and well spaced apart... We loved the view from the top of Mt. Battie. Definitely check out the trails along the ocean."
Experience lakeside recreation: For freshwater alternatives, Sennebec Lake Campground offers swimming and boating. Pam A. shares, "We love the proximity to the lake with easy access for kayaking and swimming. New ownership this year resulted in some updates, as well as the addition of glamping tents near the beach."
Attend seasonal events: Many campgrounds host scheduled activities during summer months. At Duck Puddle Campground, campers note special themed weekends: "The weekend we stayed they happened to be celebrating 'Christmas in July' and so a lot of the campers had put up lights and decorated. They had a band play on Sat night and large bonfire."
What campers like
Cedar showers at select campgrounds: Multiple reviews praise the distinctive shower facilities at Meguniticook by the Sea Campground. As Jetta P. notes, "Nice cedar showers. Comfy enough even in a van camper with few amenities. Bathrooms very clean." Another camper adds, "The bathrooms are clean and the cedar showers are awesome!"
Quiet shoulder season camping: Several campgrounds offer notably different experiences outside peak summer months. "Camden Hills is an ideal camping location. Sites are spacious, they have a variety of trails, and the town of Camden is charming. Beware of weekend campers. I had no problem getting a first come first serve spot on Wednesday, but by Friday, it was busy," reports Missy R.
Agricultural experiences: Unique camping opportunities exist on working farms. Continuous Harmony Farm provides seasonal camping during blueberry harvest. "The space is gorgeous, right next to a pond... We were joined by two other groups who camped close by, so not great for a private experience like we expected but it was still a lovely time nonetheless," shares Adam B.
Waterfront views without waterfront prices: Some campgrounds offer ocean views from non-waterfront sites. According to one Lobster Buoy camper, "The staff/owners were very friendly and my tent site was right on the beach. The sunrise and sunset were absolutely gorgeous. The price was incredible given the proximity to the water."
What you should know
Site access limitations: Some campgrounds have particular access challenges. A camper at Camden Hills State Park Campground shares, "I was worried when I decided to come to this part of Maine in the fall without reservations. It's early October, and I learned that Maine State Parks are first come first serve at this point."
Reservation requirements vary: Many campgrounds require substantial advance planning. One visitor to Camden Hills RV Resort notes, "There are a variety of sites from those with no hook-ups to 50 amp full hook-ups and the prices are pretty reasonable for New England, especially in a very popular tourist town."
Road noise impacts certain sites: Traffic can affect the camping experience at some locations. Kevin W. reports about Megunticook by the Sea: "The only downside to this campground is traffic noise from Route 1. Not bad at night but it does start early in the morning. I would still stay there again."
Hidden fees at some facilities: Review pricing carefully when booking. Lee D. cautions about one campground: "I thought $50 for a tent site was a little steep but it was all the potential extra fees that irked me: $30 site lock to ensure you get the site you want when you reserve... $10 to use the dump station (we found another place that charged $5)."
Tips for camping with families
Playground options: Duck Puddle Campground provides family-friendly amenities. As Sara B. notes, "Had a wonderful 4 days at Duck Puddle. An amazing view of the lake from a site that was very level. The staff were all friendly and the facilities were clean and stocked." Another visitor mentions, "Great beach for swimming, playground for playing."
Family activities schedule: Look for campgrounds with organized events for kids. According to Pam A., "Activities started up again this year, with events such as kids' crafts, a kids vs adults water gun fight, cornhole competition, and a DJ for an evening of dancing - just on the weekend we were there."
Consider campground layout: Site positioning impacts family camping experience. As April W. notes, "The tent sites are completely separate from the RVs and are in the woods, beautifully maintained. Only con is the sites are very close together so privacy is an issue sometimes, but the whole campground has a very community feel to it and we've always met some awesome strangers to hang out with."
Beware of after-hours noise: Check quiet hour policies and enforcement. One camper observed, "Live band went past quiet time. Many rules are ignored by management."
Tips from RVers
Seasonal site access: Many campgrounds have limited operations. At Searsport Shores Ocean Campground, campers find accommodations into fall: "We are full time RV'rs and have stayed at lots of campgrounds but this place holds a special place in our hearts. The people working are the perfect complement to a beautiful location."
Site leveling considerations: RV sites vary significantly in quality. Rachel S. shares about Duck Puddle: "The site we had was on the water and had great views. It was surrounded by trees and had decent spacing between neighbors."
RV size restrictions: Not all campgrounds accommodate larger rigs. As Nancy W. explains, "Although the park accommodates larger RV's, there are a limited number of sites for those over 35 feet and the gravel roads are easy to navigate in a big rig."
Tree clearance challenges: Forested campgrounds may present navigation issues. One Camden Hills RV Resort visitor notes, "Lots of tall pine trees provide shade but also make it a little difficult to navigate the roads. We had to go pretty slow to avoid hitting tree branches. Parking under the pines also meant a lot of sap on our roof which was a bear to remove."
