A
Annette B.
Scout
ScoutShore Hills Campground & RV Park
Great Spot
It's old school in that you can't reserve online, and they only take cash or checks, but the campground is beautiful, clean and well maintained.
Camping near Saco, ME
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SUMMARY PRESENTED BY
Saco, Maine and the surrounding coastal areas feature a range of established campgrounds catering primarily to RV and tent campers seeking beach access. Sandy Pines Campground in Kennebunkport and Sun Outdoors Old Orchard Beach Downtown offer accommodations including tent sites, RV hookups, cabins, and glamping options. Most facilities in the region provide full hookups with electric, water, and sewer connections alongside amenities such as showers, restrooms, and recreation facilities. Campgrounds in the area generally operate seasonally from May through mid-October, with several concentrated around Old Orchard Beach and the neighboring coastal communities.
The camping season in this coastal Maine region is distinctly seasonal, with most campgrounds closing for winter and opening between late April and early May. Reservations are strongly recommended during peak summer months, particularly for weekends and holiday periods when beach-access campgrounds reach capacity. Most properties offer clean facilities and family-oriented environments, though site spacing varies considerably. Many campgrounds provide shuttle service to nearby beaches, eliminating parking concerns during high season. According to a visitor at Paradise Park Resort, "This campground is very cute, oriented to families and couples. There are multiple pools and playgrounds. One pool has a hot tub for kids."
Campers seeking waterfront experiences will find several options with pond or lake access, while others prioritize proximity to Old Orchard Beach. Family-friendly amenities are a common feature at most established campgrounds in the area, with swimming pools, playgrounds, and organized activities. Reviews consistently highlight clean facilities and friendly staff as strengths at properties like Powder Horn Family Camping Resort and Paradise Park Resort. Some visitors note the close proximity of campsites at certain locations as a drawback. A camper at Wild Acres Sun RV Resort observed, "Very big complex and sites are close together. If you like privacy and more of a camping experience, this is not the place. However, it has walkable beach access, and the kids loved the heated pool." Many properties offer bike access to the Eastern Trail, providing additional recreation opportunities beyond beach activities.
Best Campgrounds near Saco (193)
1. Sun Outdoors Saco Old Orchard Beach
"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."
"Saco is a town that has seen recent revitalization where old buildings are transformed to bustling breweries and storefronts are filled with galleries and boutiques. "
2. Sandy Pines Campground
"Beautiful setting, lots of trees, bordering on beautiful marsh area. Many different types of campsites: rent, RV, seasonal RV, cottages, glamping tents and cabins etc."
"Sandy Pines is located a very short bike ride from Cape Porpoise, home of Nunann's Restaurant , Mussette, Lost Fire and Pier 77."
3. Bayley's Camping Resort
"Right next to the road. So yes lots of family glamping fun. But not for those looking for a more visceral Maine camping experience."
"The campsites are on top of each other all the way around. Of course, as we always find in the RV community, everyone was very nice."
4. Wild Duck Adult Campground & RV Park
"Spent three nights in a nice sized, quiet spot, on the camps’ outside loop. The park is well located, near the beach, shopping, and with access to Portland."
"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. "
5. Old Orchard Beach Campground
"Old Orchard Beach is a fun, family-oriented campground located in the fun little beach town of Old Orchard Beach."
"A little more on the pricier side but the location is why. Very close to all the touristy things."
from $100 - $145 / night
Check Availability6. Paradise Park Resort
"Great campground, it is walking distance to Old Orchard beach and has large sites. Many family activities including fishing, 2 pools, a dog park, and a snack shack."
"Walking distance to Old Orchard Beach, this campground has something for everyone. While the site are fairly small and crowded, it harldy matters because of all of the amenities at the campground."
from $63 / night
Check Availability7. Wild Acres Sun RV Resort
"Extremely crowded, close sites, and heavy car traffic in walking and bike areas. Sun night was way quieter than Fri and Sat night."
"Good first: it’s the closes campground to the beach around. Quick walk to the sand and just a little further to the pier. Clean and neat facilities. Great activities for the kids."
from $60 - $400 / night
Check Availability8. Wild Acres Tent & Trailer Park
"Great huge campground only a walk to the beach from one entrance. Train goes by close to sites near beach access! Most sites are gravel.. clean clean clean"
"And of course the beach was walking distance which was the biggest draw for us. If you have little ones, time your beach trips with low tide. The waves crash pretty hard at high tide."
9. Sun Outdoors Old Orchard Beach Downtown
"Nice pool; playground for kids, can walk to old orchard; or they have a bus also!"
"Our campsite was close to bathrooms, pool and playground. Staff was so kind. Kids loved it.."
10. Red Apple Campground
"This campground is located near Kennebunkport in Arundel, Maine. Campsites are well-spaced and have level asphalt pads. Ours came with picnic table and fire pit."
"Has a beach. lake has a no motor requirement. Also trails to wonder"
Drive Time
- 34 min from Portland, ME
- 42 min from Lewiston, ME
- 1 hr 12 min from Manchester, NH
- 1 hr 37 min from Boston, MA
Recent Camping Photos near Saco, ME
423 Photos of 193 Saco Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Wild Acres Tent & Trailer Park
Sun Outdoors Old Orchard Beach DowntownL
Paradise Park Resort
Wild Acres Sun RV ResortB
Sun Outdoors Saco Old Orchard Beach
Bayley's Camping Resort
Wild Duck Adult Campground & RV Park
Homestead by the River Campground - PERMANENTLY CLOSED
Sandy Pines Campground
Wassamki Spring Camping Area
Wassamki Springs Campground
Hemlock Grove Campground
Recent Reviews near Saco, ME
891 Reviews of 193 Saco Campgrounds
- SSean D.
TravelerWellington Camping Park
Very nice campground
A mix of seasonal and short term campers. Here for 3 nights I did not feel out of place at all - quite the opposite. Staff are very nice, campground is quiet, clean and has lots of amenities(laundry, games- pool, table tennis, badminton, small kids playground, kayak rental for the placid river, swimming area at the river"beach"). All sites have water and hookup. Couple of excellent tent spots right on the river. I had a small space down by the river for my tent trailer and found it quite spacious. Sites overall are somewhat close together but not overly and it remains peaceful. About 30 minute easy drive to the coast (Portsmouth, Hampton Beach etc.).
Sharman B.ScoutChewonki Campground
Serene and Clean
This campground is near our home but one feels miles away. Lovely views of the shoreline, saltwater pool, and many choices for hook-ups. We stayed there over Labor Day weekend in 2025 and are returning this year in 2026
- MMarie S.Scout
Gunstock Campground
Apparently Your Reserved Site Is More of a Suggestion
⭐**Gunstock Campground: Apparently Your Reserved Site Is More of a Suggestion**
I don't believe I have**ever** left a negative Google review. I generally think that when something goes wrong, you contact the business, give them an opportunity to make it right, and most businesses are genuinely interested in doing exactly that.
Gunstock Campground has cured me of that quaint notion.
I reserved a full-hookup campsite for two nights. I was unable to make it there the first night, but arrived shortly after 7:00 a.m. the next morning. The camp store, where registration takes place, wasn't open yet, so I headed out for my planned hike— about six miles through the Belknaps, including summiting Rowe twice and Gunstock.
By the time I returned, I was utterly exhausted, starving, and actually feeling weak. My ambitions for the afternoon were modest:**eat something, take a shower, and collapse at the campsite I had paid for.**
The staff at the camp store greeted me warmly, checked me in, and sent me on my way.
I drove to my site. There was already a camper in it. Not merely*parked* there, mind you. They had apparently moved right in. They were hooked up to**my site's water and electric**, with water spraying from their ill-fitting hose connection and forming a rather impressive puddle underneath the camper.
I returned to the camp store to report that someone had apparently activated Gunstock's new**"Choose Any Site You Like"** camping plan. A staff member went down to speak with them and came back to tell me they were "packing up." Excellent! My mistake was assuming" packing up" meant**leaving**. It did not.
Apparently these campers had actually reserved a site**two rows away** that had**no water or electric**. Yet somehow, sometime after arriving the previous night, they had accidentally found themselves two rows over, in my clearly different site, connected to utilities their reservation didn't include.
We've all made mistakes. I've occasionally parked one space away from where I intended. I've never accidentally parked**two rows away, hooked myself up to someone else's electricity and water, and spent the night.**
But perhaps I lack imagination.
After they had now consumed about an hour of my afternoon— which, incidentally, is an hour I normally bill at attorney rates— I went back toward my site expecting to find it finally vacated.
And it was! Because Gunstock had moved these folks to another site**two spaces away from me**, apparently allowing them to pay for the upgrade they had already been test-driving. So the people who knowingly or unknowingly occupied my reserved full-hookup site, used the utilities, and delayed me from getting into the site I paid for were rewarded with...a nearby full-hookup site.
They never walked over to apologize. At that point, I no longer felt comfortable staying. It's difficult to relax at a campground when you've just discovered that site assignments appear to operate somewhat on the honor system— and that when someone helps themselves to your reserved site and utilities, management's solution is apparently to make sure *they* remain comfortably accommodated nearby. So I left. On my way home, I called Gunstock and asked for a refund. Surely, I thought, this would be the easy part. After all, I had paid for two nights, hadn't used the first, couldn't get into my site when I arrived for the second, waited while unauthorized occupants vacated it, and ultimately left because the entire experience had become so unpleasant.
Nope. Instead, the staff member **defended the other campers**. I was told they arrived late and "mistakenly" took my site. I was even told they supposedly **hadn't used the utilities**. This was particularly fascinating information for me to receive because **I PERSONALLY SAW THEM HOOKED UP TO THE WATER AND ELECTRIC.** I also took photographs. Including the enormous puddle underneath their camper from the leaking water connection. But apparently my eyewitness account and photographs were no match for the alternative version of events.
For my inconvenience, however, Gunstock did give me a coupon for a **free Bavarian pretzel**. So there is that.
I paid for a full-hookup campsite. Someone else occupied it and used the hookups. I lost roughly an hour waiting to access what I had reserved. The other campers were accommodated with an upgraded site nearby. I left because I no longer felt comfortable staying. And when I asked Gunstock to make the situation right, they refused to refund me and instead argued with me about things **I had personally witnessed and photographed**. The most disappointing part isn't that another camper took my site. Campers can behave badly. Businesses can't control everything their customers do. **What a business CAN control is how it responds when that happens. ** Gunstock had every opportunity to turn this into a mildly annoying story about a camping mix-up. Instead, they turned it into my first negative Google review.
But hey... **I do have that free pretzel coupon.**
Roberta S.
GuidePemaquid Point Campground
Quiet campground
This campground is a quiet little gem. Our campsite is right up against the woods. Some sites are completely shaded and others are more open for Starlink. Water and electric are available.
- GGeorge F.Scout
Cedar Haven Campground
Quiet
We stayed midweek and the park was 1/2 empty. Lots of kids activities. Wonderful bathrooms and showers. Great laundry. Close to Freeport but not the water
Richard P.ScoutSebago Lake Family Campground
Find a better place!
We just came back from a big family weekend there. We had 5 sites with 19 people(including children). This is by far the most rundown campground I've stayed! Only 1 bathroom facility was functioning. Of the 3 times I tried taking a shower, I only succeeded 1 time. The other 2 times(once at night and once the following morning at 6am) I only got drops coming out of the hot and cold faucets. I tried the only 2 stalls. Speaking of bathrooms...these have not been updated since the 60s-early 70s when I was camping with the same style bathroom facilities. The children's playground should be condemned!!! At least 25% of the wood is rotted. Some steps are missing from ladders. My granddaughter was swinging in the childs swing, the bottom unlatched and she fell through the bottom. If she wasn't monkey like in holding on she would have done a face plant to the ground. After looking at the swing, I found the plastic latch broken! 2 positives: the campsites are very nice! and the beach is great! Bottom line, these owners are not putting any money back into the campground and it's facilities. They are running it into the ground. I won't be coming back again!
- ccarolyn H.Scout
Hemlock Grove Campground
Great stay! :)
Wonderful stay! Clean bathrooms/showers. Woodsy and quiet. Clean campsites with water and electric. The people were super helpful and friendly! Wonderful stay, would easy stay here again :)
- VVictoria W.Scout
Hampton Beach State Park Campground
RV camping
We booked three nights of dry camping and arrived Friday excited to start our weekend. Unfortunately, we barely made it 24 hours before deciding to leave because of the way we were treated. We were told by another man at the campground that we were permitted to run our quiet generator overnight. The posted cutoff time was 9:00 AM, and we fully intended to shut it off by then. At approximately 8:50 AM the following morning, a woman who lives on-site who is named Karen(no pun intended)- and appeared to run the facility came pounding on our RV door, yelling at us about running the QUIET generator all night. We tried to explain that we had been told we were allowed to do so and that we were going to shut it off at the required time. Instead of having a reasonable conversation, we felt that we were essentially pushed out and harassed during the short time we were there. We also had our baby with us, and it was a hot summer night. Being told that we should have simply opened the windows was incredibly frustrating and felt completely dismissive of our situation. We came to enjoy a three-night camping weekend and instead left after barely 24 hours because of how uncomfortable and unwelcome we were made to feel. We have never experienced this kind of treatment at a campground before. Unfortunately, based on this experience, we will never be returning to Hampton State Park RV Camping. The way we were treated was completely unacceptable and left us extremely disappointed and disgusted with the experience. She told us and I quote“this is a campground, not a prison” But clearly it wasn’t.
Guide to Saco
Saco camping options extend beyond coastal RV parks to include wooded tent sites and family-oriented resorts. Most campgrounds in the area operate from May through mid-October, with varying site sizes and amenities. Weekday stays typically offer more space and quiet compared to the busier weekend periods when campgrounds reach capacity. Several locations provide access to both freshwater recreation and beach shuttle service.
What to do
Beach access shuttle service: Sun Outdoors Saco Old Orchard Beach offers convenient transportation to Old Orchard Beach. "The trolley will pick you up from the campground and take you to Old Orchard Beach. Very friendly staff. Kid activities were done regularly. Pizza and breakfast is very good if you do lunch want to cook. Outdoor movies were fun," notes Jill P.
Kayaking from your campsite: Wild Duck Adult Campground is situated directly on Scarborough Marsh with water access. "This quiet campground is about a mile from the Eastern Trail through the Scarborough Marsh. This campground is small but well maintained," says Kevin W. The area offers excellent bird watching and wildlife viewing opportunities.
Explore the Eastern Trail: Campgrounds near Scarborough Marsh provide direct access to this multi-use trail. "Our tent site at Sandy Pines was a bit small, and we were a bit closer to the people in the sites on each side than we would have liked, but overall, we had a good stay. We could hear the ocean from our site and had a nice view of the marsh area behind us," says Michelle.
Visit Kennebunkport: Sandy Pines Campground in Kennebunkport offers proximity to coastal towns. "Sandy Pines is located a very short bike ride from Cape Porpoise, home of Nunann's Restaurant, Mussette, Lost Fire and Pier 77. Some of the best food in the area without having to deal with the crushing crowds of the Kennebunkport scene," according to Chris.
What campers like
Adult-only camping options: Wild Duck Adult Campground & RV Park provides a quieter experience without children. "We stayed here in our popup for two nights in June 2018. The campground was veeerrryyy quiet, we almost felt bad making noise as we set up upon arrival. The grounds were well maintained and the owners were very nice and accommodating," reports Megan W.
Heated pools and hot tubs: Bayley's Camping Resort features multiple swimming options. "They have heated adult only pools, several hot tubs, a store, cafe, and live entertainment. There's playgrounds and fishing and kayaks. This is about as far from 'nature' as you can get but it worked for us because I had to work all weekend so I wanted the extra luxuries," explains Jennifer L.
Clean facilities: Powder Horn Family Camping Resort maintains exceptional standards. "Powder Horn is the best place we've ever stayed. Yes, it's large. Yes, there are people who live there for months at a time, but this park is crazy clean … roads & restrooms. It reminded me of Disney in the way we never saw trash on the ground," shares Clare P.
Walkable beach access: Some campgrounds offer direct paths to the beach. "This is a family friendly campground that is a short shuttle ride (offered by the staff) or drive to the amusements and boardwalk at Old Orchard Beach. The pond is great for fishing but not swimming. There is a pool and small playground," says Alycia G.
What you should know
Site spacing varies significantly: Many campgrounds in the Saco region feature closely spaced sites. "Not our favorite campground. This place is large with a lot of really close campsites not so private. People drive way too fast up and down the camp roads with zero enforcement," notes Andrew G. about Powder Horn Family Camping Resort.
Seasonal popularity affects experience: Old Orchard Beach Campground has different vibes depending on when you visit. "We visited in the off-season but can only image the park gets pretty busy especially in the front section where the swimming pool, arcade, camp store, and other activities are located," observes Nancy W.
Mosquitoes near marsh areas: Coastal marsh campgrounds require bug protection. "The only negative of this place was the mosquitoes. They were TERRIBLE. In the time it took after we parked the camper, to when I could dig the bug spray out of our truck I was covered in bites," warns Megan W. about Wild Duck Adult Campground.
Train noise at some locations: Campgrounds advertising beach proximity may have railroad tracks between them and the ocean. "The trains all blow there horn and you will hear it if your at one of the site 'by the ocean'. I would stay at the campground again but will be sure not to be so close to the 'ocean'," advises Bryan about Wild Acres Sun RV Resort.
Tips for camping with families
Choose campgrounds with diverse activities: Paradise Park Resort offers multiple recreation options. "This campground is very cute, oriented to families and couples. There are multiple pools and playgrounds. One pool has a hot tub for kids. There's also paddleboats available to rent," explains Tonisha T.
Look for campgrounds with organized events: Scheduled activities keep children engaged. "We enjoyed our stay-the cabin was comfortable, facilities were clean, and we were within 20 minutes of Portland and 10 minutes to Old Orchard Beach. Not to mention-the on-site Merry Moose cafe was definitely a nice touch!" says Rachel P. about Sun Outdoors Saco Old Orchard Beach.
Consider shoulder season for less crowding: Family camping experience varies by timing. "We're typically state park campers, but decided to stay 2 nights at a resort campground to recharge and be close to the beach. We had a great experience! Awesome amenities, close to the beach (they offer a shuttle too) and great pool. The kids didn't want to leave!" writes Nathan S. about Paradise Park Resort.
Reserve sites near amenities but not too close: Balance convenience with noise concerns. "We loved the sections in the back (Bear Brook and Black Forest) which are set away from the entrance and the majority of activities," recommends Nancy W. when discussing Old Orchard Beach Campground.
Tips from RVers
Book specific site sections: Bayley's Camping Resort offers varied experiences depending on location. "We like to stay in the 'south section' which tends to have less kids because it is farther away from the 'action.' Plus, it is close to the Little River Complex which is an adult-only section with pool, hot tubs, café, bathhouse, and laundry," advises Nancy W.
Check site surface before booking: Site conditions vary between gravel and grass. "Our gravel site was perfectly level with no potholes and the roads leading to our site were easy to navigate in our 45' motorhome. The patio was gravel and there was some grass between campsites," notes Nancy W. about Old Orchard Beach Campground.
Beware of resort pricing structure: Many campgrounds charge extra for amenities and services. "The campground is quite large and divided into a variety of sections, some areas are all seasonal campers and others are for transients. If you want to have guests, plan on shelling out a bit of cash as it is $8/day for kids and $10 for adults and $12 for overnight guests," explains Nancy W.
Consider fall visits for quieter experience: "We camped in our Minnie Winnie travel trailer. The Wi-Fi is hit and miss unsecured. Mostly miss," shares Celeste C. about Sandy Pines, adding "We took a mid-September vacation and love how nice it is with fellow campers spread out. We are not resort campers, but this is very nice now that children are back in school."
Frequently Asked Questions
What amenities do camping sites near Saco offer?
What amenities do camping sites near Saco offer?
Camping sites near Saco offer varied amenities depending on the campground. Eastern Slope Camping Area provides river access with beaches for swimming, a camp store stocked with essentials, bath houses with showers, and playground equipment. Sun Outdoors Saco Old Orchard Beach offers family-friendly facilities with helpful staff who assist in selecting ideal campsites. Many campgrounds in the area feature direct access to the Saco River, fire pits, and basic utilities. The more developed resorts provide full hookups for RVs, while more rustic options like Fiddlehead focus on natural settings with fewer facilities. Proximity to beaches, towns, and outdoor recreation opportunities is a common feature throughout the region.
Where are the best campgrounds in Saco, Maine?
Where are the best campgrounds in Saco, Maine?
On the Saco Family Campground is highly recommended for its beautiful setting, reasonable rates, and exceptional Saco River access with a sandy bottom perfect for swimming. Fiddlehead Campground offers a more rustic experience right on the Saco River and is popular with adults looking for a social atmosphere during summer months. Other excellent options include Swans Falls Campground with its beautiful walking trails along the river and open pine forest setting. For those seeking proximity to coastal attractions, campgrounds near Old Orchard Beach provide convenient access to both the beach and nearby towns like Portland, Kennebunkport, and Ogunquit.
What is the typical cost for camping in Saco, Maine?
What is the typical cost for camping in Saco, Maine?
Camping costs in the Saco area vary based on amenities and season. Thousand Trails Moody Beach offers potential savings through membership options that can significantly reduce costs for extended stays. At Eastern Slope Camping Area, prices run around $45 per night, which some campers consider on the pricey side. More rustic campgrounds like On the Saco Family Campground advertise "crazy reasonable rates" compared to other options in the area. Generally, expect to pay $30-50 per night for standard tent sites, with RV sites with hookups commanding higher prices. Holiday weekends and peak summer months (July-August) typically see premium pricing, while shoulder season camping offers better value.
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