Pemaquid, Maine camping offers diverse options from oceanfront to lakeside sites. Located on a peninsula extending into the Gulf of Maine, this area receives around 46 inches of annual rainfall with summer temperatures averaging 70-80°F. Most campgrounds operate from May through mid-October with peak season in July and August when reservation competition is highest.
What to Do
Beach exploration: 5-minute walk from Sherwood Forest Campsite to Pemaquid Beach with its white sand shoreline. "This campground is also very close to a public beach and a very short drive to Darmascota," notes a camper who stayed after Memorial Day weekend.
Kayaking on Damariscotta Lake: Lake Pemaquid Campground offers equipment rentals for exploring the water. A visitor mentioned, "They rent kayaks and canoes to explore the lake. There are several playgrounds for the kids and even a small arcade for rainy days."
Lighthouse visits: 15 minutes from camping areas to the iconic Pemaquid Point Lighthouse. According to a camper at Sherwood Forest Campsite, "The Pemaquid Point lighthouse is 15 minutes away. Much of the campground is occupied seasonally."
Tidal exploration at Sagadahoc Bay Campground: When the tide goes out, you can walk far into the bay. "When the tide goes out you have the entire inlet to walk around in and explore. At night the stars were absolutely amazing!" reports a camper.
What Campers Like
Private waterfront spots at Duck Puddle Campground: Sites 61-66 offer direct lake access. "The waterfront sites 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."
Fall camping with fewer crowds: Many campgrounds remain open through mid-October. A Duck Puddle camper reports, "We love coming to Duck Puddle in the shoulder season (spring and fall) when it's quiet."
Fresh seafood delivered to your site: Some campgrounds offer lobster delivery service. At Meadowbrook Camping, "Lobsters for sale straight out of the tank cooked and delivered to your site every day. Don't forget to add corn and potatoes."
Glamping close to Pemaquid, Maine: Luxury tent and yurt options with electricity. A Lake Pemaquid visitor noted, "This is a great quant campground. It was built back in the 50's but there are plenty of sites for those of us with large campers. The sites are right on the lake with gorgeous views."
What You Should Know
Site reservations: Many campgrounds use traditional booking methods. "Old school in that you have to call to make reservations and they do not accept credit cards," explains a Shore Hills Campground & RV Park visitor.
Coin-operated showers: Common at campgrounds in this region. A Sherwood Forest Campsite camper shared: "The bathhouse was very clean (coin-operated showers), and the sites were spacious."
Tidal considerations: Water access changes dramatically with tides. "The river is tidal and so unless you want to wade threw mud there is not access beyond a couple hours around high tide," notes a Shore Hills camper.
Mosquito preparation: Bring plenty of repellent, especially for wooded sites. A Meadowbrook Camping visitor advised, "We had a w/e site. The full hook up sites are in a field and close together. We preferred to be in the woods. Bring bug spray. We liked our site but got so bitten up."
Tips for Camping with Families
Farm-based glamping near Pemaquid: Wolfe's Neck Oceanfront Campground offers a unique farm experience. "This campground is located on an organic dairy farm. There is a farm cafe on site with local food. We loved that!" explains an enthusiastic visitor.
Campgrounds with recreational facilities: Look for sites with playgrounds and games. A camper at Duck Puddle Campground mentioned, "Great beach for swimming, playground for playing. We have already booked our next trip in a few weeks!"
Family-friendly activities: Several campgrounds organize events. "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," shares a Duck Puddle visitor.
Multiple camp stores: Many campgrounds have well-stocked stores for essentials. "The store has basic necessities as well as selling live lobsters and clams that they will even cook up for you and give you a time to come back to pick them up," noted a visitor to Hermit Island.
Tips from RVers
Consider site angles at Chewonki Campground: Some RV spots require strategic positioning. "Pull in full hook up site. Coin operated shower. Clean and very well maintained. Property is very nice. Some Rt 1 noise at a distance but nothing unbearable," reports a recent visitor.
Off-season availability: Early fall offers good availability for last-minute trips. A Shore Hills visitor commented, "We just spent the weekend here and were very impressed with the water views and the size of the sites. The campground is pet friendly- I think almost everyone we saw had a dog."
Electrical considerations: Check voltage at older campgrounds. One RVer at Meadowbrook Camping noted, "We paid for a 30 amp service, but had low voltage the entirety of our stay. They had several campsites on the same breaker, something we have never seen at any campground."
Site leveling: Some campgrounds have uneven terrain. "Our site was unlevel and we were always on a bit of an incline. Our coach is pretty sensitive when it comes to leveling so this may not be a problem with other units or towables," warned an RV camper at Meadowbrook.
