Peru, Maine sits in western Oxford County at an elevation of 663 feet where camping options spread across both lakeside and forested settings. The area experiences warm summers with daytime temperatures typically reaching 75-80°F and cooler nights dropping to the 50s. Campgrounds near Peru provide varying levels of privacy, with some offering spacious wooded sites and others featuring more open layouts adjacent to ponds and lakes.
What to do
Disc golf adventures: At Beaver Brook Campground, now known as Jellystone Park Androscoggin Lake, visitors can enjoy their disc golf course throughout their stay. According to one camper, "Amazing campground. Has a lot of stuff for kids including playground, pool, water slides, canoeing, kayaking, mini golf and disc golf. Great sites and plenty of them. Definitely a place to stay for a few days."
Hiking nearby mountains: The White Mountains provide excellent hiking options just a short drive from Peru. When staying at Moose Brook State Park Campground, visitors can access numerous trails. A reviewer noted, "We have stayed at Moose Brook State Park a number of times over the years to gain easy access to the hiking trails in the White Mountains. The campground is well run, manned by easy going Rangers, and is hassle free."
Kayaking on quiet ponds: Many campgrounds in the region offer direct water access. At Poland Spring Campground, visitors can rent kayaks to explore the surrounding pond. A guest mentioned, "Wonderful, woodsy campground on a beautiful pond. Very nice staff and lots of kayaks for rent."
What campers like
Private bathroom units: Some campgrounds offer sites with personal bathroom facilities. At Papoose Pond Family Campground and Cabins, certain sites include private facilities. One visitor explained, "We stay in an HHK which is a site that has its own electric stove, kitchen sink, covered picnic table, and small bathroom in the back! It's definitely more lux than a standard site, but it makes camping with kids insanely easy."
Waterfront options: Many campers prefer lake-view sites despite the trade-off in privacy. At Lakeside Pines Campground, guests can reserve waterfront spots. A camper shared, "We had a beautiful waterfront campsite (Site 113). The lake is gorgeous. Rocks make direct access to the water from the site difficult, but there is a beach for water access not too far away."
Clean facilities: Well-maintained bathrooms and showers rank high on camper priorities. At Two Lakes Camping, visitors appreciate the upkeep. A recent reviewer stated, "Management is very nice and handles problems well. Love the dog beach. I wish they had a change machine in the laundry room."
What you should know
Seasonal differences: Most campgrounds in the Peru area operate from May through mid-October, with limited year-round options. At Sebago Lake State Park Campground, campers should know the experience varies by season. A visitor noted, "Half of area is set up with RV hookups, so it nicely separates the tents from the RVs."
Site spacing concerns: Campgrounds near Peru vary significantly in how close sites are to each other. At some locations, privacy can be limited. One camper at Sebago Lake observed, "This campground was in the woods and was well maintained. The campsites definitely felt like they were on top of each other and are pretty small. We picked a medium one and could barely fit 2 tents and 2 cars with a safe distance from the fire."
Wildlife encounters: The region's lakes and ponds attract diverse bird populations. At Poland Spring Campground, visitors can expect to see various water birds. According to a reviewer, "A friend and I camped here not for the family fun, but because we wanted to be able to slip into our kayaks for an early paddle with the loons, bald eagles, and herons. Had an amazing experience when loons took off from the far end of the lake and came in right beside and over us for a landing."
Tips for camping with families
Weekly activity schedules: Many campgrounds offer organized events throughout the week. At Honey Run Campground and Beach near Peru, families can participate in various planned activities. A camper mentioned, "The campground offers lots of fun activities, such as bingo, karaoke, and live music. The new owners plan on new upgrades as time goes on."
Playground proximity: When booking with children, consider sites near play areas. Poland Spring Campground offers this convenience. A visitor noted, "Perfect stay if you have kiddos and dogs! There's a playground, arcade, and beach. They offer kayak and canoe rentals. We grabbed a tent site for 3 days and it had water and electric!"
Beach quality considerations: Sandy beaches make swimming more enjoyable for families. At Papoose Pond, the beach areas receive positive reviews. A repeat visitor shared, "We have tent camped here for a week (if not twice) every summer for the last 5 years. Pond with rentals, pool, mini golf, daily activities, crafts....so family friendly. Love the half moon and kitchen and bath sites."
Tips from RVers
Site access challenges: Some campgrounds have narrow roads that make navigation difficult. At Wolfe's Neck Oceanfront Campground, RV drivers should proceed with caution. A camper advised, "Many if the sites are overlooking the ocean. Great playground for kids and convenient locations of bath houses. An enjoyable camping experience close to home."
Seasonal site availability: Long-term campers occupy many sites throughout the season. At Honey Run Campground, this affects the overall atmosphere. A recent visitor observed, "Nice campground, we enjoyed our site next to the cabin that our friends stayed in. One thing to note, lots of returning seasonal campers."
Hookup variations: Full-service sites with water, electric, and sewer connections have different availability across campgrounds. At Lakeside Pines, RVers can find various hookup options. A reviewer noted, "Long Lake, Maine. Some lakeside sites. Lots of wooded sites with easy access to the lake. A few local permanent campers."
