Best Tent Camping near Pownal, ME

Tent campsites near Pownal, Maine offer a mix of established campgrounds and secluded sites within a short drive. Sun Outdoors Saco Old Orchard Beach and Mac's Camping Area provide tent-specific options, with the former located approximately 25 miles southwest of Pownal and the latter about 15 miles northwest in Poland. Tiny Cabins of Maine, despite its name, also offers dedicated tent sites with wooden platforms overlooking a pond, providing a more natural camping experience than the name suggests.

Most tent campgrounds in the Pownal region feature basic amenities including fire pits and picnic tables. Mac's Camping Area provides drinking water, fires, and trash disposal specifically for tent campers. Walk-in tent sites at Webbs Mills Stead and Tiny Cabins of Maine offer more seclusion but require carrying gear a short distance from parking areas. Seasonal availability varies, with Sun Outdoors operating from May through mid-October, while other campgrounds have similar seasonal restrictions due to Maine's winter conditions. Tent campers should note that some sites may have noise from nearby roads, particularly at Sun Outdoors where highway sounds can be noticeable for tent campers without the insulation of an RV.

The tent camping experience around Pownal features varying levels of privacy and natural settings. Tiny Cabins of Maine provides waterfront tent camping with a wooden platform, hammock, and fire pit in a serene forest setting. A visitor noted, "The tent camping amenities, including the pop-up toilet and sturdy wooden platform, were thoughtfully provided." At Sun Outdoors, tent sites are situated among tall pine trees which offer welcome shade during summer months. According to one camper, "The only problem I had with this campground with no fault of their own is the noise at night. Since I stayed in a tent it was a bit noisy." Walk-in tent locations generally provide more seclusion and a more authentic outdoor experience than drive-in sites, with Webbs Mills Stead offering a single walk-in tent site for those seeking maximum privacy.

Best Tent Sites Near Pownal, Maine (16)

    1. Sun Outdoors Saco Old Orchard Beach

    22 Reviews
    Saco, ME
    28 miles
    Website
    +1 (207) 282-0502

    "The campground sits among tall pine trees which offer nice shade helps alleviate some of the feel of a crowded campground. "

    "We tent camped at Saco/Old Orchard Beach KOA. The staff was very friendly and when I called to book the site, they assisted in helping us pick out the nicest campsite."

    2. Mac's Camping Area

    1 Review
    West Poland, ME
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (207) 998-4238

    $40 - $45 / night

    "Mac's camping has large RV Sites with access to their private beach & boat launch!  Make sure to check them out and leave a review on the Dyrt about your stay!"

    4. Webbs Mills Stead

    Be the first to review!
    Casco, ME
    16 miles
    +1 (413) 813-1547

    $5 - $40 / night

    5. Hemlocks Campground

    Be the first to review!
    West Poland, ME
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (207) 998-2384

    6. Riverbend Campground

    1 Review
    Leeds, ME
    29 miles
    Website
    +1 (207) 524-5711

    7. Boothby's Orchard

    1 Review
    North Turner, ME
    33 miles
    Website

    "However, it is a beautiful space and well worth checking out for weddings or other get togethers. They also have cabins you can stay in as an alternative but those are limited."

    8. Tiny Cabins of Maine

    2 Reviews
    Coopers Mills, ME
    38 miles
    Website
    +1 (207) 798-3132

    $50 - $120 / night

    "I recently stayed at the Tiny Cabins of Maine with my family for two nights, opting for their tent camping site. From the moment we arrived, the host's warm welcome made us feel right at home."

    "This smaller campground offers great privacy on a large pond in the Maine forests. "

    9. Rustic Retreat

    Be the first to review!
    Isle of Springs, ME
    27 miles
    +1 (207) 380-3463

    10. Tops’l Farm

    2 Reviews
    Waldoboro, ME
    41 miles
    Website
    +1 (435) 640-6440

    "The common spaces are equally as luxurious. The bathhouse was just like a four-star hotel. They provide you with shampoo, conditioner and body wash. There is even a hair dryer!"

    "Located in Waldoboro, they create a wonderfully balanced experience between the outdoors and glamp.  While their model continues to evolve, camping is not available on all days/weekends.  "

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Tent Camping Reviews near Pownal, ME

636 Reviews of 16 Pownal Campgrounds


  • L
    Aug. 20, 2021

    Desert of Maine Campground

    Aesthetically pleasing campground-- good for tent campers

    Desert of Maine campground is an excellent choice just 4-5 miles from the heart of Freeport at interstate exit # 22. This campground is well-imagined. Sites are close together, and some are small. There are 2 hike-in sites which are set apart. Wifi is provided throughout the campground and most sites have power. They must have studied "best practices" when designing this lovely campground. 

    I booked an extra night.

    This is an outdoor experience campground- not a wilderness adventure -- but perfect for young families…especially for those new to camping or those for whom a very sanitary classic bathroom is needed.Children find and entertain each other in the common area.

    Sites 19-27 face a shared square with excellent access to the modern and stylish bath house. Other sites have a somewhat further walk. Sites 17-27 are best for tents due to the configuration of the sites.. Tent sites # 2 & # 3 are short walk-in and very private, but lack easy access to the bath house. Almost all sites in this campground have shade and are under a beautiful canopy of old pine, maple and balsam.

    Site 24 is lovely & slightly set apart and cars are parked close by but not on the tent site. Site 27 is located down a steep slope and is very private but has difficult access. I would categorize site 27 as a hike-in site, but not # 24.  All sites are generally level and have been graded. Sites have scant privacy in front, but back up to forest. Sites 4, 6,17, 19, 23 & 26 have slightly more space but space is not the defining issue in this campground. RV's that are large should not try this campground. The maintenance is superb; and the thoughtful design of the overall campground is aesthetically pleasing. 

    This attractive campground is small-scale and personally managed. 

    Ice is available for purchase…as is wood. 

    Beware of speed trap on the 2 mile access road between the interstate & campground.

  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 10, 2024

    Beach Camping Area

    Motorcycle camping

    Next to river and had a major flood this spring. I was tent camping on motorcycle and tent site are on dirt due to flood. Tent Site consists of picnic table. No water or sewer or electrical. $43 a night and bring quarters for shower. Clean restrooms and showers but I feel way over priced for what was offered. Should have looked for alternate.

  • Sarah C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Mar. 3, 2021

    Basin Campground

    Stunning Scenery & Swimming!

    Absolutely beautiful spot! This campground has a day use area with a boat launch and picnic area on the right as you drive in. Non-motorized boats are allowed on the water and it’s a great swim spot in the summer. The water is surrounded by beautiful cliffs with hiking opportunities readily available. The water is a short walk from all of the sites, some are obviously closer than others. 

    The sites are well spaced and quite large. I greatly appreciated the crushed rock vs. sandy soil especially given the amount of rain we got during our stay. The camp hosts were helpful and definitely out and about throughout the day. 

    Sites have fire rings and large picnic tables, as well as flat space to pitch a tent or two depending on the size. There was some variance in the size of the sites, some of which required walking up a few steps from the parking spot to the site. Not a big deal but helpful to know if negotiating stairs is an issue for you. 

    Fresh water spigots are spaced between sites and there is one bath house with flush toilets. Note: there is no soap or paper towels/hand dryer in the restroom. Be prepared and bring your own.

  • Jean C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 30, 2018

    Pleasant River Campground

    Riverside campground, great for paddling or hiking

    This is a great campground for enjoying all the recreational activities in the Bethel, Maine area - hiking in the Grafton Notch area and AT, paddling on the Androscoggin, biking trails in the area, or sticking around and enjoy the pool. Pleasant River offers shuttles as well. The website doesn't offer a campground map and I can't remember our site number, but we were near the restroom on a level wooded site. There are also much more open RV sites.

    You can email for availability, but you'll need to call to finalize a reservation.

  • Jess G.
    Aug. 19, 2017

    Sebago Lake State Park Campground

    In the woods but very crowded

    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. 2 sites were within 15ft of our fire pit. The bathrooms were very clean. The lake was nice too, sandy beaches. For a large portion of our stay it torrentially downpoured. The trees allowed us to canopy a tarp but our fire pit completely flooded and we had to bail it out when the rain finally stopped. If the sites weren't so close together and small I would definitely give this place 5 stars.

  • P
    Apr. 24, 2024

    Tiny Cabins of Maine

    Wonderful Camping Spot

    I recently stayed at the Tiny Cabins of Maine with my family for two nights, opting for their tent camping site. From the moment we arrived, the host's warm welcome made us feel right at home. Despite some distant road noise at night, the overall ambiance was serene and beautiful. The tent camping amenities, including the pop-up toilet and sturdy wooden platform, were thoughtfully provided. The fire pit and picnic table were perfect for evening gatherings, and the hammock added an extra touch of relaxation. We enjoyed the pub's games and even tried our hand at axe throwing. Kayaking in the pond was a highlight, thanks to the convenient dock. While the trails required attention to follow, the directional signs helped. Overall, I highly recommend Tiny Cabins of Maine for a memorable small family retreat, and we're already looking forward to returning in the future.

  • D
    Jul. 10, 2025

    Honey Run Campground and Beach

    Family oriented!

    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! You get a picnic table and fire ring

  • Gavin T.
    Oct. 23, 2017

    Crocker Pond

    Simply a beaut

    Into the Whites from West Bethel, Crocker Pond is an off the beaten path car camping destination. Beautiful place to set up camp for a night to 14 days. The campground is situated along the wooded banks of the small Crocker Pond, with about 5 of the 7 sites directly on the water. A short drive to Rt 113 in the Whites along the Maine/ NH border. Caribou Mountain is an awesome 6.7 mile looped hike in this area. Great bang for your buck.

  • Jason D.
    Aug. 22, 2018

    Lake Pemaquid Campground

    Crowded, but great for kids

    lots of great amenities and events for kids. tent sites are on top of each other, but easy walk to camp store and bath houses. beach access for swimming in the lake. can be noisy outside of quiet hours, but becomes surprisingly quiet later at night.


Guide to Pownal

Tent camping near Pownal, Maine, offers a fantastic opportunity to immerse yourself in nature while enjoying a variety of amenities and activities. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventurous getaway, there are several well-reviewed options to consider.

Tent campers appreciate these amenities

  • Mac's Camping Area provides drinking water, electric hookups, and picnic tables, making it a comfortable choice for tent campers.
  • Webbs Mills Stead features a reservable site with firewood available, ensuring a cozy camping experience.
  • Tiny Cabins of Maine offers a unique blend of tent camping with access to fire pits and picnic tables, perfect for family gatherings.

Some prices for tent camping range from $20 to $50

  • At Range Pond Campground, tent camping is available during the season from April 15 to October 15, with prices that fit various budgets.
  • Saco Bound offers affordable tent sites right on the river, making it an attractive option for those looking to enjoy water activities.
  • Riverbend Campground provides a scenic setting for tent camping, with prices that cater to different preferences.

Enjoy these local activities

  • At Hemlocks Campground, you can take advantage of boat-in access to explore the nearby waters and enjoy fishing or kayaking.
  • Swans Falls Campground is perfect for those who love river activities, offering easy access for canoeing and kayaking.
  • Boothby's Orchard is not only a great camping spot but also a fantastic location for hiking and enjoying the beautiful orchard scenery.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Pownal, ME?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Pownal, ME is Sun Outdoors Saco Old Orchard Beach with a 4.2-star rating from 22 reviews.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Pownal, ME?

TheDyrt.com has all 16 tent camping locations near Pownal, ME, with real photos and reviews from campers.