Cathedral Pines Campground provides recreational facilities north of Phillips where elevation ranges between 1,500-2,200 feet, creating cool summers and snowy winters. While glamping options are established in the region, yurt camping near Phillips offers additional accommodation choices with several campgrounds operating May through September due to Maine's seasonal climate patterns.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: At Cathedral Pines Campground, anglers often report successful outings. One visitor noted, "Sites are very large and spacious. You are not on top of the next one. Facilities are bright and clean. Every site has its own 'fire box' with cooking grate."
Disc golf course: Beaver Brook Campground offers recreational alternatives to water activities. A camper mentioned, "Very nice campground with a good camp store and disc golf course. We will stay again!"
ATV trails: The region has extensive trail networks for off-road enthusiasts. A reviewer at Mollidgewock State Park noted, "If riding an ATV on the many area trails is your thing, just be aware that ATVs can't be ridden in the campground."
Wildlife viewing: The area is known for diverse wildlife sightings, particularly around water bodies. "This area is definitely a great spot to view moose or go fishing. It is also near Umbagog National Wildlife Refuge where you can view moose and loons galore!"
What campers like
Large sites: Campers consistently praise the spaciousness at Mollidgewock State Park Campground. One visitor described, "Mollidgewock State Park, overlooking the Androscoggin River, is embedded in the beautiful and tranquil scenery that makes up what I would call, the moose capital of NH."
Clean facilities: Maintenance standards receive frequent positive mentions. At Lake Francis State Park, a camper observed, "Bathrooms and showers are fairly new and well maintained. Hot showers are $0.25/3 minutes. I must say that I've never had a shower that felt like I was being power washed. Great water pressure!"
Waterfront access: Proximity to lakes and rivers ranks highly among camper priorities. A visitor to Lake Francis State Park Campground shared, "We came in on a Friday afternoon without a reservation. Luckily there were a few sites left including a couple on lake front. The view in the morning out of the back of our van was quite satisfying."
Family activities: Organized events enhance the camping experience for families. A Beaver Brook visitor explained, "For parents; live entertainment with local bands on Saturday nights, an adult only swim nightly. Playground is close enough to the pool to actually enjoy this while listening to my kids play."
What you should know
Seasonal operations: Most campgrounds in the Phillips area operate from May through October due to harsh winter conditions. The Loon's Nest and other specialized yurt camping near Phillips, Maine typically follow similar seasonal patterns.
Reservation requirements: Securing spots can require advance planning, especially for waterfront sites. A visitor to Papoose Pond Family Campground advised, "We've been camping as a large group here every year for 12 years. Perfect spot to relax and get away from everything."
Cell service variability: Connectivity differs by location and carrier. One Lake Francis visitor noted, "There IS cell service, at least with Verizon."
Road conditions: Access to remote sites may require navigation of logging roads. A Cupsuptic Lake camper shared, "Very nice being several miles out on logging roads away from any towns or noise. Incredibly buggy."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: When selecting sites with children, proximity to play areas matters. A camper at Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park reported, "Grest place to go that is cheap, and gives the children an enjoyable weekend with fun activities such as the arcade, inground outdoor pool, playground, and the chance to feed the fish in the pond and ride bikes."
Scheduled activities: Families benefit from organized programming. A visitor mentioned, "This is a family campground with pool, playground, bounce house, Yogi Bear, theme weeks, store, rv sites and cabins."
Water safety: Waterfront sites require additional supervision. A Papoose Pond camper noted, "We had an amazing first camping experience for our 2 year old here! The campsite was large and private with good distance between the next sites."
Pack for insects: Depending on season, bug protection is essential. "Running alongside beautiful Flagstaff lake this site offers something for everyone—hiking, fishing and the ability to just huddle around the fire with a book."
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Choose locations based on rig size and hookup needs. One camper at Honey Run Campground and Beach advised, "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!"
Hookup availability: Electrical amperage varies between campgrounds. A Beaver Brook visitor noted, "Sites are all big with plenty of room between the sites for the perfect amount of privacy. Hook ups for water/electric/sewer but also tons of tent sites too."
Navigation challenges: Some access roads present difficulties for longer rigs. A Beaver Brook camper warned, "The roads can be very narrow if you have a long rig. Your choice of pool or pond."
Gate procedures: Some facilities control access with gate systems. A Cathedral Pines visitor explained, "It's a gated campground, so you'll get a gate pass for a $10 deposit, refundable upon return."
