Scarborough Marsh and Casco Bay create a diverse camping backdrop near Portland, Maine. The salt marshes of Scarborough cover 3,100 acres, while the bay contains over 200 islands. Summer temperatures average 70-80°F with cooler nights, making yurt camping near Portland, Maine a comfortable option from May through early October.
What to do
Explore the farm life: Wolfe's Neck Oceanfront Campground combines camping with a functioning organic farm, offering unique educational opportunities. "We stayed here this summer and was one of our favorites ever! This campground is located on an organic dairy farm. There is a farm cafe on site with local food. We loved that!" shares Tonya M. The farm has hiking trails, daily agricultural activities, and kid-friendly animals.
Kayak at the marsh: Paddling opportunities at Wild Duck Adult Campground connect directly to the Eastern Trail. "This adult only campground is peaceful and quiet, with the sounds of birds and the trees being the main thing you hear - it is quite relaxing," notes Heather C. The campground is within a mile of the Audubon center where kayak rentals are available.
Explore tidal areas: At low tide, campers at Sagadahoc Bay can walk over a mile out toward Sequin Island Lighthouse. "When the tide goes out you have the entire inlet to walk around in and explore. At night the stars were absolutely amazing!" reports Michael H. The changing tides create natural exploration zones with hermit crabs, seagulls, and soft clay-like surfaces.
What campers like
Adult-only environments: Wild Duck Adult Campground offers a 21+ atmosphere with marsh views and quieter camping experience. "This quiet campground is small but well maintained. We had a 'seasonal' site for two nights in September. It was very large and level with a picnic table and fire ring," writes Kevin W. The adult-focused environment creates a more peaceful alternative to family resorts.
Farm-to-table dining: Many campers appreciate the local food options at Wolfe's Neck Oceanfront Campground. "Your stay at Recompense Campground supports Wolfe's Neck Farm - a working organic farm and non-profit organization," explains Trip Over Life. The farm cafe serves food grown on-site, creating a true farm-to-table experience.
Free beach transportation: Old Orchard Beach Campground provides trolley services that eliminate parking hassles. "The nearby town of Old Orchard Beach is known for their amusement park, arcade, pier, fun downtown, and expansive beach with seven miles of room to walk. And the best thing is there is a trolley that takes you from the campground to the beach so you don't have to deal with parking," notes Nancy W.
What you should know
Reservation systems vary: Many campgrounds near Portland have different booking approaches. Hermit Island Campground uses an old-school system: "Reservations are very old school - mail a letter and wait," explains Lauren A. Prime waterfront sites often book months in advance.
Insect preparation essential: Maine's coastal campgrounds can have significant mosquito populations. "July is VERY buggy!" warns Kathy T. about Sagadahoc Bay Campground. At Hermit Island, one camper noted: "The biting flies were TERRIBLE. Not sure if that is normal in August or if a ton of sea weed had come ashore from the storm."
Yurt locations vary: Yurt camping options near Portland, Maine range from oceanfront to forest settings. Some sites feature platform yurts with dedicated amenities, while others offer more rustic experiences. Availability is limited and seasonal, typically May through October.
Tips for camping with families
Farm animal experiences: Sandy Pines Campground offers family-friendly amenities with agricultural components. "The playground and pool were a hit with the kids. The bathrooms were always clean and single user, some had showers as well," shares Kaileigh K. The nearby farm activities create learning opportunities.
Pool options: Many campgrounds feature heated pools with varying age restrictions. "Multiple pools and jacuzzi. Fishing pond, restaurants. One bar/pool area is for adults only. Big playground. Free trolly to transport you back and forth to ocean," notes Amy R. about Bayley's Camping Resort.
Child-friendly terrain: Flat areas for biking are available at several campgrounds. "The streets are flat for the kids to bike. They offer fun dances with kid games at night. My kids love it here!" shares Alycia G. about Paradise Park Resort. Consider terrain when selecting sites for families with young cyclists.
Tips from RVers
Site privacy varies: Sun Outdoors Old Orchard Beach Downtown offers varying degrees of seclusion. "Our site was nice and backed to a wooded area. The campground was within walking distance to the beach(about a mile) and not far from the Eastern Trail, which was great for hiking and biking," explains Tina. However, she noted that some sites have limited privacy between neighbors.
Off-season advantages: Visiting after Labor Day reduces crowds and noise. "We have stayed at Wild Acres both before and after Sun Outdoors acquired it. We have had a great time each time we stay. We love going in the fall to enjoy the leaves and sit in the hot tubs," shares Claire T. Fall camping offers more availability and a quieter experience.
Satellite reception issues: Tree cover impacts connectivity at many locations. "Wifi not great and we have starlink - lots of obstruction so if you need uninterrupted access I'd check with the front desk to see if there are clearer areas for your satellite," advises Sarah A. Consider requesting sites with fewer overhead obstructions if connectivity is important.
