Camping spots near Presque Isle, Maine center around a mix of privately-owned sites and a state park in Maine's northernmost county. The region sits at an average elevation of 600 feet above sea level and experiences warm, short summers with average July temperatures reaching 80°F during the day and dropping to 55°F at night. Most campgrounds remain open from mid-May through mid-October, with a few exceptions that operate year-round.
What to do
Paddling opportunities: At Shin Pond Village Campground, campers can access both Upper and Lower Shin Ponds for kayaking. A reviewer noted: "The campground is between upper and lower Shin Ponds, with easy boat access to both."
Hiking trails: Several natural areas offer hiking opportunities within short driving distance. A visitor to Aroostook State Park Campground shared: "Near the back of the loop a trail heads up south peak for a short scrabble and nice loop hike. There's a rickety tent platform with great views of the valley."
ATV adventures: Northern Maine has extensive ATV trail networks that draw enthusiasts. A camper at Arndt's Aroostook River Lodge & Campground reported: "This campground is at the top of Maine and a top camping destination for ATV enthusiasts. The sites are spacious and inviting."
Golf access: Some campgrounds offer convenient access to golfing facilities. At Arndt's Aroostook River Lodge, "If your preference runs to golf, there's an 18-hole course next door."
What campers like
Spacious sites: Many campgrounds in the area feature large sites. A visitor to Aroostook State Park Campground mentioned: "We love to camp in State Parks, and the North East has plenty of them to try. For many years, I have looked at a spot on my Maine map called Aroostook State Park, way up north near the great city of Presque Isle."
Clean facilities: Campers frequently comment on well-maintained bathrooms. One reviewer at Neil E Michaud Campground shared: "This was a great place to camp. Quiet at night. The woman that runs it is really nice. Cheap for RVs too. We had electric, Wi-Fi, and water on our tent site."
Peaceful environment: The rural setting provides a quiet camping experience. A guest at Lakeview Camping Resort noted: "Sites were well-groomed, amenities were nicely kept and the entire campsite was pleasant, very quiet and relaxing."
River access: Several campgrounds offer direct access to waterways. At Arndt's, "The Aroostook river was down the hill and across the street. Swimming, kayaking, canoeing, ATVing, fishing, biking, and hunting are all activities to keep you busy."
What you should know
Seasonal operations: Most campgrounds operate from May through October. According to information about Houlton/Canadian Border KOA: "We came in the fall, and the foliage was beautiful. There are many little areas to walk and explore in the campground."
Cell service variations: Connectivity differs significantly between campgrounds. At Shin Pond Village, a reviewer reported: "No cell or internet reception with our Verizon phone. The campground does have wifi but the signal was not strong enough to get reception reliably at our site."
Ground conditions: Some areas may have drainage issues during wet periods. A visitor to Shin Pond Village noted: "Sites are grass with very little gravel and, as we found out, they can be very soft. We pulled into our site (#21) and before we knew it our 45' (47,000 lbs) RV was stuck."
Reservation recommendations: During peak season and especially during the Crown of Maine Balloon Festival in late August, campgrounds fill quickly.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several campgrounds offer dedicated play areas. At Aroostook State Park, "There's a playground for kids. Bring your kayak or canoe or they have some available to rent."
Mining activities: Some campgrounds offer unique activities for children. A visitor to Houlton/Canadian Border KOA shared: "They have recently installed a new pool here so if it gets hot you have that great amenity. They also have the mining for gems activity that you see at some KOA's and all my kids enjoyed that."
Nature exploration: Local ponds and streams provide wildlife viewing opportunities. One camper noted: "Kids enjoyed finding frogs in all their ponds."
Field games: Open spaces at several campgrounds allow for outdoor play. At Neil E Michaud Campground, a reviewer mentioned: "Big field in the back that my dog loved to run around in."
Tips from RVers
Hookup configurations: Many campgrounds have unusual hookup placements. At Arndt's Aroostook River Lodge, a visitor noted: "For the back-in sites on the hill, the hookups are on the 'wrong' side. You'll either need to pull straight in (for many rigs, it looked like that was doable), or run the cords under the trailer."
Dump station availability: Limited dump stations exist in the area. One RVer cautioned about Neil E Michaud: "Nothing special except they are the only dump station in the area... and take advantage of this. They charge 3 times more than all others to dump."
Site selection: Choose sites based on ground conditions. At Shin Pond Village, "There is a separate area for tents that is really pretty and sits along a brook that divides north and south Shin Ponds."
Campground access: Some locations have challenging entry roads. A visitor to Arndt's noted: "Campsites sit on top of a hill and there is a tight winding road that you must navigate to get up there. We were able to navigate it with our 45' RV and tow car but we had to go slow and take up the whole road."
