Camping spots near Palermo, Maine are situated in the central lake district of Waldo County, where rolling hills and wooded terrain characterize the landscape. Most camping areas sit between 200-400 feet above sea level, creating moderate temperatures that typically range from 50°F-80°F during the May-October camping season. The region features numerous small to medium-sized lakes with minimal light pollution, making stargazing particularly rewarding at night.
What to do
Hiking trails close by: Camden Hills State Park offers extensive hiking options with varied difficulty levels. One camper noted, "There are miles and miles of hiking trails just outside our doorstep. Driving the tour road to the summit of Mt. Battie (elevation 800') is a must and the views are spectacular (especially for watching the sunrise)."
Waterfront activities: Most lakes in the region allow kayaking, swimming and fishing. At Sennebec Lake Campground, campers appreciate "the proximity to the lake with easy access for kayaking and swimming." Many campgrounds offer watercraft rentals or dedicated swimming areas with docks.
Local explorations: The mid-coast region offers numerous day-trip options within 30 minutes of Palermo. As one visitor to Camden Hills State Park Campground explained, "The park has around 100 sites that are categorized by size, and allows rvs and tents. It provides a great home base for hiking, biking, kayaking and exploring the Camden/Rockland area."
Crafts and music events: Some campgrounds host special activities throughout the season. At Searsport Shores Ocean Campground, campers can experience "a small, intimate festival and workshop of fiddlers, banjos, ukuleles, mandolins, and guitars jamming with old time and blue grass music."
What campers like
Clean facilities: Many campgrounds maintain well-kept bathrooms and shower facilities. At Megunticook Campground, visitors reported "The bathhouse was very clean and there are both outdoor and indoor showers; both looked nice." Similarly, campers at Camden Hills noted "Free showers are located in the bathhouse/restrooms and were clean."
Privacy between sites: Site layout varies significantly between campgrounds. At Megunticook by the Sea Campground, "campsites start level with the main road and then tier downwards towards the water. Campsites on the southside have less trees while campsites in the north are a little more rocky. Decent space in all sites."
Nature sounds at night: The peaceful evening atmosphere is frequently mentioned. One visitor to Town Line Camping described it as "quiet, a lot of seasonal campers, the lake is a decent swimming temp. The bugs were kind of vicious. The bathrooms and showers were decent. People were friendly. It's tucked away in the woods, pretty cool spot."
Waterfront views: Many campgrounds offer water views or direct water access. A camper at Megunticook Campground said, "The ocean view was beautiful! Picnic tables and several chairs and benches to sit and watch the ocean scenery - porpoises and seals and the sunrise was amazing!"
What you should know
Reservation policies: Many campgrounds have specific booking requirements or seasonal limitations. At Duck Puddle Campground, the operating season runs "May 1 to Columbus Day," with weekends filling up quickly during peak summer months. Some campgrounds operate on a first-come, first-served basis after Labor Day.
Site selection considerations: The proximity to roads can impact your camping experience. One camper observed at Megunticook Campground, "The sites here are nicely wooded and have a decent amount of separation between most of them BUT the campground is located too close to the road and, with the exception of sites 84-87 and cabins 8-10, you will hear road noise in your site."
Additional fees: Some campgrounds charge for services beyond the base site fee. As one camper noted at Megunticook Campground, potential extra fees include "$30 site lock to ensure you get the site you want when you reserve... $4 weather guarantee (allows you to cancel due to inclement weather)... $7.95 if you need to hook up to WiFi... $10 to use the dump station."
Payment methods: Not all campgrounds accept credit cards. At Town Line Camping, "they only take cash or check so keep that in mind."
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly activities: Many campgrounds offer dedicated recreational facilities for children. Camden Hills State Park features "a day park for swimming with a life guard and an impressive playground for little ones." Other campgrounds provide gaming areas and scheduled activities.
Campground atmosphere variations: Some locations cater specifically to families seeking quieter environments. At More to Life Campground, one seasonal camper values that "it's not a party campground and is very family friendly." Weekly scheduled activities are common at several campgrounds.
Beach access considerations: When choosing a campground for swimming, check reviews about water conditions. Searsport Shores Ocean Campground has "a small rocky beach, not really somewhere to swim, just to enjoy the scenery and look for cool rocks," according to one visitor.
Accommodation options: Many family-oriented campgrounds offer multiple lodging types. At Sennebec Lake Campground, which added "glamping tents near the beach" under new ownership, one family noted "We have only tented, but hope to bring a small camper next year. There is a small arcade, store, and 24/7 laundry."
Tips from RVers
Site leveling: Check reviews about site grading before arrival. One RVer at Sennebec Lake Campground mentioned "We have a 35ft RV, and we faced no issues getting in and out of the property and the sites across the water were level, with no extra leveling needed."
Hookup availability: Full hookups are limited at many campgrounds. At Duck Puddle Campground, "The waterfront sites (61-66) offer direct access to the lake and have trees between the site for a more private feel" but may not offer full hookups.
Navigability: Some campgrounds have limitations for larger rigs. Camden Hills State 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."
Site selection priority: Balancing privacy with amenities requires planning. As one RVer noted at Duck Puddle Campground, "We could have chosen lakefront but they were just water and electric and since we were staying 4 days we chose the full hookup in a nicely wooded site."
