142 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Established campgrounds near Palermo, Maine offer a diverse range of camping experiences for visitors seeking lakeside recreation and scenic forest settings. The region includes several notable options within a short drive, including Lake St. George State Park Campground in Liberty and Sennebec Lake Campground in Appleton. These developed campgrounds accommodate various camping styles with tent sites, RV hookups, and cabin rentals. Campgrounds like Tiny Cabins of Maine provide more intimate settings with just three sites, while larger operations like Sennebec Lake feature up to 120 sites with multiple accommodation types including glamping options.
Many campgrounds in the Palermo area operate seasonally, typically from May through mid-October, with some closing after Labor Day. Road access is generally good with most sites being drive-in accessible, though some areas offer boat-in or walk-in options for a more secluded experience. As one camper noted, "Most of the campground is situated around an open grassy field. The sites closest to rt. 3 are wooded with more privacy compared to those scattered along the water front." Weather considerations are important, as Maine's camping season is relatively short, with some facilities like Duck Puddle Campground operating from May 1st to Columbus Day. Reservations are highly recommended, especially for waterfront sites during peak summer weekends.
Lakefront camping remains the primary draw for many visitors to the Palermo region, with several campgrounds offering direct water access. Several reviewers mentioned the peaceful atmosphere, particularly at night. "Very peaceful at night listening to the loons," reported one visitor to Lake St. George State Park. Most campgrounds provide basic amenities including picnic tables, fire rings, and access to bathrooms and showers. Family-friendly facilities are common, with playgrounds and recreational activities available at locations like Lake St. George State Park, which features a day park for swimming with lifeguards. Campground stores are available at several locations, providing campers with essentials and firewood. Many campsites accommodate pets, though specific pet policies vary by location.
"Camden Hills SP is a no contest campground if you are visiting Camden and surrounding MidCoast areas. 9 out of 10 times I visit Camden (one of my favorite places in Maine), I stay at this campground."
"As with all real estate, location, location ! The camp is well situated amongst many Maine towns all of which are worth a visit to."
from $25 - $45 / night
Check Availability"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."
"Sennebec Lake Campground provided a blend of relaxation and adventure for the kiddos and the campground's commitment to modern conveniences is evident, with amenities that bring together comfort and wilderness"
from $56 - $219 / night
Check Availability"Truck camp and tenter) Located between RT. 3 and the banks of Lake St George. Most of the campground is situated around an open grassy field."
"I love to visit Lake Saint George! As a state park it’s nice and clean and offers several comforts like a bathhouse with flushing toilets and showers."
"This smaller campground offers great privacy on a large pond in the Maine forests. "
"I recently stayed at the Tiny Cabins of Maine with my family for two nights, opting for their tent camping site. From the moment we arrived, the host's warm welcome made us feel right at home."
from $50 - $120 / night
Check Availability"This is a small campground off the beaten path, on a large lake (known locally as Webber “Pond”) with docks for swimming and boating."
"The waterfront sites (61-66) offer direct access to the lake and have trees between the site for a more private feel. Some have a private dock for fishing or sitting, others have a small beach area."
"It’s also close to other fun coastal towns. Definitely worth a visit."
"The 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."
"**The location of this campground is outstanding. Conveniently situated between Camden and Rockport off of Route One, the views of the Penobscot Bay are drop dead gorgeous."
from $32 - $58 / night
Check Availability"Direct access to Maine's rocky shore. Everything you need to be comfortable including hot showers and bathrooms cleaned three times a day."
"On our way out we had some trouble with our electric entry steps. Steve and another member of the community came and helped us out until we were able to rectify the problem."
from $14 - $168 / night
Check Availability"The campground is perfectly located between Camden and Rockland Maine. For a private campground the sites are a decent size with some trees. There is a beautiful overlook to the ocean."
"Lovely campground near the beautiful lake. Great fishing and boating! There’s quite a few hiking trails located in the town around the campground."
"We loved this campground, 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."
from $29 - $775 / night
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LegendThis is one of our favorite campgrounds in the region. Close to the Botanical Gardens and the lovely historic town of Boothbay. The campground is small and well appointed with a super clean bath house and laundry room. Showers are free and the water is hot. Tasty beers and great food available at the brewery, though the brewery isn’t open on Monday- Wednesday.
TravelerRelaxing! Fun! Camping the way camping should be!! Nice wooded sites! Super friendly seasonals! The owner is the best and his campground is beautiful! You can tell he puts the “happy” in camping!! Stay Happy!!
RangerSpent a few days here in early October. Pleasant host, easy check-in, and quiet campground with full hookups. Minutes from the highway and an hour or so from Acadia.
GuideWe are used to dispersed out in the woods.
We are older and stayed 4 nights in the tent. The facility had the bathroom, we travel with our potty. The showers weee extremely nice. Great water pressure and hot water.
The camp sites are close together about 10 ft between. If you are looking for very remote and no one around you this is not the place for you.
We stayed in lot 7 right by the trail access. We were trying to sleep in but the early morning hikers walk right by the site.
The staff was super helpful, they had fire wood bundles there reasonably priced. It was to far from town either.
We found everyone to be very friendly and they all obeyed the dog leash rules that was excellent.
If you have an expensive car watch the falling acorns. 4 days of them I may have to make an insurance claim, not to mention I got hit by one that left a bruise.
The kitchen area was great for coffee we didn’t even have to fire up the generator.
The bathroom area set towards the middle, we are older and don’t run as fast so we always bring our camp toilet. They kept the bathrooms clean the toilet paper was good. Not a regular toilet no flushing or water or anything.
GuideWater and electricity only at sites. Dump station available. Fire pit, table and trees at most sites. Lots of trees and peace here.
ScoutThis was a cool agritourism campground. A little pricey but the cleanest campground I have stayed at over the last month and a half traveling around the great lakes area and then into New England. I'm traveling solo but definitely a cool spot if you have kids, the outhouses are kept as spotless as one could hope for and there are is a cool loop trail around the property that has educational stops. Camp store has local produce and food from the farm, there are trails where you can go down to the shoreline.
Scout15 minutes from Bangor, affordable, about $55/nite. We like it, quiet, clean w/ fun activities. Dog friendly
TravelerLet me start by saying, I’ve “camped” very few times in my life. We ended up here on a whim and I couldn’t have asked for more. The staff were friendly and informative. Even had a cookie for the dog. There were some items for sale as well as a few books about the history of the camp and the owners.
We were in spot 24. Three sides were surrounded by trees, bushes…nature…you get it. There was a picnic table and a fire pit. It was quiet, we didn’t hear the other campers. There are a few apple trees on the property that lended something to the vibe.
The views were incredible. The sunset and sunrise were so stunning I ran out of words to describe them.
The stars were so vibrant. With each passing hour more were revealed.
If I find myself in Maine needing a little reprieve, I’ll be returning.
ScoutLovely and peaceful property. Owners responsive; no contact check in. Would stay again if in the area
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.
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."
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!"
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."
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."
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."
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I rent an RV in Palermo, Maine?
While direct RV rentals in Palermo are limited, several campgrounds in the region accommodate RVs and some visitors arrange rentals from nearby larger towns. Chewonki Campground is RV-friendly with a variety of sites suitable for rented vehicles. Similarly, Shore Hills Campground & RV Park can accommodate everything from the biggest RVs to tents, making it an excellent destination after securing a rental. For RV rentals, you'll likely need to check with dealers in Augusta, Belfast, or Waterville, which are all within reasonable driving distance of Palermo.
Is there a campground at Clear Lake in Palermo?
While there isn't a specific campground at Clear Lake in Palermo, the nearby Lake St. George State Park Campground offers excellent lakeside camping options. Located in Liberty, just minutes from Palermo, this park features waterfront sites around an open grassy field with some wooded sites offering more privacy. The campground provides access to Lake St. George for swimming, fishing, and boating activities. For those seeking alternatives, Martin Stream Campground is another nearby option with water access.
What camping is available near Palermo, ME?
According to TheDyrt.com, Palermo, ME offers a wide range of camping options, with 142 campgrounds and RV parks near Palermo, ME and 3 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Palermo, ME?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Palermo, ME is Camden Hills State Park Campground with a 4.3-star rating from 33 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Palermo, ME?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 3 free dispersed camping spots near Palermo, ME.
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