Cabin camping near Palermo, Maine offers wooded retreats within central Maine's rural landscape at elevations averaging 200-400 feet above sea level. Seasonal considerations are important, with most cabin facilities operating from mid-May through mid-October when temperatures range from 45°F nights to 80°F days. Several properties provide access to freshwater lakes including Damariscotta Lake and Megunticook Lake for water-based activities.
What to do
Kayaking access points: Launch directly from Megunticook Campground's private shoreline path. "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!" shares Cheryl R. about her Megunticook Campground stay.
Disc golf course: Play the course at Beaver Brook Campground in North Monmouth, approximately 35 minutes from Palermo. "Very nice campground with a good camp store and disc golf course. We will stay again!" notes J B. in a recent review.
Arts and crafts sessions: Participate in workshops at Searsport Shores Ocean Campground, which hosts numerous artistic activities. "This place is so much more than a beautiful campground nestled among gorgeous old growth trees located right on the shore. It's also a treasure trove of arts of all kinds - fiber arts, metal sculptures, carvings, paintings, and music," explains Kathy L.
What campers like
Cedar outdoor showers: Experience the unique shower facilities at Megunticook by the Sea, located between Camden and Rockport. Rafi K. comments, "Bathrooms were super clean and the showers are of similar construction to a sauna and it feels like a hot shower outdoors. 11/10."
Free boat rentals: Take advantage of complimentary canoe and kayak usage at Two Rivers Campground in Skowhegan. "Peaceful little gem at the river. Took a canoe up the river for a couple hours. Kind people. Clean. Would definitely stay again," writes Andrea S.
Seasonal themes: Enjoy themed weekend activities at Duck Puddle Campground in Nobleboro. "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 Saturday night and large bonfire," describes Rachel S.
What you should know
Varied shower facilities: Bathroom layouts differ significantly between properties, with most offering centralized facilities. "The bathhouse was very clean and there are both outdoor and indoor showers; both looked nice although we did not use them," reports Lee D. about her Megunticook Campground visit.
Reservation timing: Book several months ahead for lakefront cabin sites, especially for summer weekends. "We discovered this campground in 2020 and just returned from our third year in a row camping here with 2 kids... New ownership this year resulted in some updates, as well as the addition of glamping tents near the beach," notes Pam A. about Sennebec Lake Campground.
Additional fees: Be prepared for supplemental charges at some properties. "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... $4 weather guarantee... $7.95 if you need to hook up to WiFi... $10 to use the dump station," explains Lee D.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Choose properties with dedicated children's areas. "This campground offers a game room area, horseshoes, a pool and playground. Free use of canoes and kayaks are a nice bonus," notes Onara G. about Two Rivers Campground.
Indoor recreation options: Consider campgrounds with indoor facilities for rainy days. "The rec room is a large but cozy place to hang out if/when it rains, with a fireplace and cozy couches," explains April W. about Searsport Shores.
Laundry facilities: Utilize 24-hour laundry options for extended stays. "There are a small arcade, store, and 24/7 laundry. Bathrooms/showers are clean and not very busy as most guests are in RVs," shares Pam A. regarding amenities at Sennebec Lake.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Request shaded sites during summer months. "We had a long pull-thru site that was located under pine trees which provided welcomed shade since the temperatures were in the high 80's. The first site we were assigned was in the direct sun so we asked to move to a shady site and they were very accommodating," advises Nancy W. about her experience at Two Rivers Campground.
Leveling requirements: Most sites require minimal leveling adjustments. "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," reports Jason G.
Road noise considerations: Be aware of traffic sounds at properties near main roads. "One of the downsides is the loud road noise from Route 2," mentions Nancy W. about Two Rivers Campground.
