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Best Campgrounds near Presque Isle, ME

31 Reviews

Camping near Presque Isle, Maine centers around several established campgrounds in the northernmost region of the state, close to the Canadian border. Aroostook State Park Campground, Maine's first state park, provides wooded sites with hiking trails on Quaggy Jo Mountain and access to Echo Lake for swimming and boating. Arndt's Aroostook River Lodge & Campground offers spacious grassy sites on a hilltop with river access for fishing and paddling. Neil E Michaud Campground provides a more basic camping experience in an open field setting. The area attracts visitors for its outdoor recreation opportunities, including hiking, fishing, and ATV trails, as well as the annual Crown of Maine Balloon Festival.

Most campgrounds in the Presque Isle area operate seasonally from May through October, with a few facilities like Aroostook State Park and Neil E Michaud open year-round. Summer temperatures typically range from 50-80°F, while winters are harsh with heavy snowfall and sub-zero temperatures. Cell service varies throughout the region, with better coverage in Presque Isle proper and spotty reception in outlying areas. Verizon service is reported as good at Arndt's Aroostook River Lodge, while other campgrounds may have limited connectivity. Many campgrounds offer WiFi near their office buildings. Reservations are recommended during peak summer months and especially during the balloon festival in late August.

The camping options around Presque Isle accommodate various preferences and equipment. RV campers will find full hookup sites at Arndt's Aroostook River Lodge and Neil E Michaud, with many sites able to accommodate large rigs. Tent campers have dedicated areas at most campgrounds, with Aroostook State Park offering more privacy and natural settings. According to reviews, "Most sites are very spacious" at Aroostook State Park, which features "only 30 sites" and "nice trails in the park." Visitors to Arndt's note the "HUGE, level, terraced sites stretching up the hill" and appreciate the campground's proximity to town, making it convenient for supplies and local attractions like Haystack Mountain with its panoramic views.

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Best Camping Sites Near Presque Isle, Maine (18)

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Recent Camping Photos near Presque Isle, ME

19 Photos of 18 Presque Isle Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Presque Isle, ME

31 Reviews of 18 Presque Isle Campgrounds

  • Meghan B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 23, 2024

    Deboullie Public Lands

    Deboullie Public Land

    Must check-in at a North Maine Woods checkpoint and pay the hefty entrance plus camping fees to stay in this public land. After quite a drive, cross your fingers and hope people aren't occupying multiple sites or holding for others (we ran into this issue--sites seem to be two right next to each other throughout this area, so people would set up a tent or place their trailer in order to not have a neighbor right on top of them.) We got there late morning on a Friday and grabbed the only site that was open after being told we'd have plenty to choose from when checking in (which, I'm sure there would have been several open if people weren't occupying multiple sites). But anyway, my husband and I were happy enough with our site--just frustrated with some of the other campers making the experience more difficult than it needed to be. The weird part was everyone cleared out Saturday morning/early afternoon and we had the whole section to ourselves. Besides all that, great hiking and kayaking in the area.

  • Meghan B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 20, 2024

    Shin Pond Village Campground

    Shin Pond Village

    Nice, quiet stay in an RV site along the woods. Washed off in the showers then enjoyed tasty food and beverages at the restaurant/bar on site. Despite what the website says, there was no laundry here--an employee said it's been a few years since they had that available, unfortunately.

  • J
    Aug. 23, 2023

    Neil E Michaud Campground

    Most peaceful. Friendly people.

    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.

  • Truthseeker C.
    Aug. 16, 2022

    Houlton/Canandian Border KOA

    Great getaway, cannot wait to go back.

    This was a great two day tent camping trip. KOA’s are not always known for their tent sites but this one has a decent amount of them and the DMZ area between the RV’s and the tents is adequate so your not pitching your tent right next to an RV: our campsite was slightly off the beaten path which was exactly what we wanted. Good quite relaxing weekend . 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. The bathrooms were super clean. Kids enjoyed finding frogs in all their ponds. They have also added two “glamping tents” which look nice. The family enjoyed this so much we plan on making this an annual trip to this specific campground. This used to be “my brother place” campground and from what I gather significant upgrades have been made. Disclaimer : I know one of the owners but my review is honest.

  • Nancy W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 29, 2021

    Shin Pond Village Campground

    Good experience after our RV had to be pulled out of the mud.

    Shin Pond is this sprawling mix of campground, cabins, restaurant, event space, gas station, convenient store, and off-road vehicle rentals. The campground has about 30 campsites and is separated into two sections bisected by Route 159 (which is busy with loud logging trucks and UTV’s). One side has 50-amp campsites and cabins and the other side is 30-amp. There is a separate area for tents that is really pretty and sits along a brook that divides north and south Shin Ponds. 

    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. Unbeknownst to us, three inches of rain had recently fallen and our site which was downhill was saturated. The campground owner had to pull us out with his huge tractor which as we found out was not the first time a camper had to be pulled out of a soft site in that campground. Luckily, it was a pull-in site so he could attach a chain to the hitch on the back of our RV as there is no way to pull from the front without causing damage. 

    All sites have water, picnic table, and fire pit. There is no sewer but there is a dump station and a “blue boy” for you to use and dump your own tanks. They do not have a pump-out service. The dump station is easy to access and has a hose for you to flush your tanks and a dedicated potable water spigot. The dump station is at the back of a busy parking lot that serves the restaurant, laundry, bath/shower house, and the fuel pump so it can be quite busy and congested. We didn’t eat at the restaurant but others said it was very good. There is also a well-stocked store which sells a variety of souvenirs, food, beer, ice cream, and camping necessities. 

    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. You pretty much have to be at the office in order to get it but that’s ok because they have lots of picnic tables and places to sit. 

    Shin Pond rents Polaris UTV and snowmobiles, canoes, and kayaks in the summer and snowmobiles in the winter. We went on a UTV ride one day and were treated to some beautiful views. Just a few miles down the road is a short hiking trail leading to Shin Pond Falls and another trail that runs along the Seboeis river which is a beautiful hike. The campground is close to the northern entrances to Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument and Baxter State Park which is the major reason why we stayed there. We loved exploring these parks where you have access to beautiful hiking trails and lakes and ponds and is not as crowded as the southern areas. Note that dogs are not allowed in Baxter State Park and there are restrictions on vehicle sizes. The nearest town is Patten (about 15 minutes away) and has a hardware store, gift shop, full-service grocery, fuel, restaurants, and the Lumberman’s Museum.

  • MThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 11, 2021

    Aroostook State Park Campground

    Quiet Campground

    Nice quiet campground on the side of the Quaggy Jo Mt. in Presque Isle. Most sites are very spacious. Only 30 sites. Nice trails in the park. A few hookup sites.

  • K
    Sep. 11, 2021

    Lakeview Camping Resort

    Great View!

    This campsite was clean and quiet and provided a great distant view of Long Lake and the surrounding area. We were there for the long Labor Day weekend and took one of the only full spots available which unfortunately was in one of the areas of the campground where sites were very small and close together. There were some campsites that had great views of the lake and larger lots. They seemed mostly occupied by seasonal campers. The check in was at the very busy restaurant which was somewhat of an odd setup, along with the site entrance which seems to also be a 4 wheeler trail which was a bit confusing. Cell service was pretty much non-existent, but there was free WiFi available that seemed to have good reach. Sites were well-groomed, amenities were nicely kept and the entire campsite was pleasant, very quiet and relaxing. Overall, it was a good experience.

  • s
    Sep. 3, 2021

    Neil E Michaud Campground

    Opportunistic

    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.

Guide to Presque Isle

Camping near Presque Isle, Maine, offers a mix of beautiful landscapes and outdoor activities. Whether you're looking for a quiet retreat or an adventure-filled getaway, this area has something for everyone.

What to do

  • Hiking and Exploring: Baxter State Park is a must-visit for hiking enthusiasts. One camper noted, “Baxter is one of the most pristine, magical and majestic public lands in the US, always worth a visit” while sharing their experience at South Branch Pond Campground — Baxter State Park.
  • Canoeing and Kayaking: Rent a canoe or kayak for just $1/hour at South Branch Pond Campground. A reviewer mentioned, “Lots of trail options. Canoe and kayak rentals, swimming, fishing, and gorgeous views.”
  • Fishing and Swimming: Many campgrounds, like Shin Pond Village Campground, provide access to serene lakes and ponds. One visitor said, “The beauty of the camping site was simply breathtaking, with serene lakes, lush forests, and stunning sunsets.”

What campers like

  • Quiet and Peaceful Atmosphere: Campers appreciate the tranquility of places like Aroostook State Park Campground. A reviewer shared, “Nice quiet campground on the side of the Quaggy Jo Mt. Most sites are very spacious.”
  • Clean Facilities: Many campgrounds, such as Neil E Michaud Campground, are praised for their cleanliness. One camper mentioned, “The woman that runs it is really nice. Cheap for RVs too. We had electric, Wi-Fi, and water on our tent site.”
  • Spacious Sites: Campers enjoy the roomy sites at Arndt's Aroostook River Lodge & Campground. A visitor noted, “There are HUGE, level, terraced sites stretching up the hill.”

What you should know

  • Limited Amenities: Many campgrounds, like Katahdin Stream Campground — Baxter State Park, have no potable water or electricity. A camper advised, “Bring your own water and any food and ice you need as you will be more than 45 minutes from ‘civilization.’”
  • Primitive Camping: Expect a more rustic experience at places like Roaring Brook Campground — Baxter State Park. One reviewer said, “This campground offers large sites, many with lean-tos and along the stream.”
  • Wildlife: Be prepared to encounter wildlife. A camper at Abol Campground — Aroostook State Park mentioned, “You are sure to see many Appalachian Trail thru-hikers as they use this campground as their final base camp before summiting.”

Tips for camping with families

  • Kid-Friendly Activities: Look for campgrounds with nearby playgrounds, like Aroostook State Park Campground. A reviewer noted, “There’s a playground for kids.”
  • Plan for Meals: Bring your own food, as some campgrounds lack markets. A visitor at Shin Pond Village Campground mentioned, “There is also a well-stocked store which sells a variety of souvenirs, food, beer, ice cream, and camping necessities.”
  • Engage in Nature: Encourage kids to explore the outdoors. One camper shared, “We go there during the Perseid meteor shower peak, make some hot chocolate, go out in the canoe, drift around watching the shooting stars.”

Tips from RVers

  • Check Site Conditions: Some sites can be soft, as noted by a camper at Shin Pond Village Campground. They shared, “Our RV was stuck... the campground owner had to pull us out with his huge tractor.”
  • Use Dump Stations Wisely: Be aware of dump station fees. A visitor at Neil E Michaud Campground mentioned, “They charge 3 times more than all others to dump.”
  • Stay Connected: Some campgrounds have limited cell service. A camper at Arndt's Aroostook River Lodge & Campground noted, “Verizon cell service was good; wifi is available near the camp office/store.”

Camping near Presque Isle, Maine, is a great way to enjoy the outdoors, whether you're in a tent or an RV. Just remember to plan ahead and enjoy the beautiful scenery!

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular campground near Presque Isle, ME?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Presque Isle, ME is Aroostook State Park Campground with a 4.6-star rating from 7 reviews.

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