The midcoast region around St. George offers camping and glamping options from May through October, with most facilities closing after Columbus Day weekend. Water access is a key feature at several campgrounds, with Pemaquid Lake and Damariscotta Lake providing freshwater recreation alternatives to coastal activities. Winter temperatures drop below freezing, making summer and early fall the primary camping season in this area.
What to do
Hiking at Camden Hills State Park: The park features numerous trails of varying difficulty within its 5,700 acres, directly accessible from campsite areas. A visitor explained, "One of the real pluses of this park were the miles and miles of hiking trails just outside our doorstep. Driving the tour road to the summit of Mt. Battie (elevation 800') is a must and the views are spectacular (especially for watching the sunrise)."
Kayaking from waterfront sites: Lake Pemaquid Campground offers rentals and direct water access. "They rent kayaks and canoes to explore the lake," shares a camper, noting the convenience for water activities. The tidal waters near some campgrounds require timing awareness, as one reviewer cautioned: "The tides are crazy in Maine so be careful if you use the boat launch that you don't get stuck on a mud flat when the 9-11' tide disappears."
Local exploration: The region's proximity to multiple coastal towns makes it ideal for day trips. According to one visitor at Camden Hills State Park Campground, "Camden Hills State park is centrally located, just at the edge of downtown Camden. It provides a great home base for hiking, biking, kayaking and exploring the Camden/Rockland area." The campground sits less than 10 minutes from central Camden and about 20 minutes from Rockland.
What campers like
Waterfront access: Many sites at Sennebec Lake Campground provide direct water views and easy lake entry. A returning camper noted, "We love the proximity to the lake with easy access for kayaking and swimming." Some campgrounds feature private docks at select sites for dedicated water access.
Community activities: Weekend events create social opportunities at many campgrounds. One camper at Sennebec Lake Campground described: "Activities started up again this year, with events such as kids' crafts, a kids vs adults water gun fight, cornhole competition, and a DJ for an evening of dancing - just on the weekend we were there."
Diverse accommodation options: For those seeking glamping close to St. George, Maine, Searsport Shores Ocean Campground offers unique lodging configurations. A visitor explained their experience with oceanfront glamping: "I like the look of the ocean tenting if you don't own an rv. That seemed awesome. At low tide you can do fun rock designs on the shore, they offer lobster bake at the ocean for $60 pop with some sides."
What you should know
Seasonal limitations: Most facilities operate from May through October, with varying opening dates. As one Camden Hills visitor observed, "I arrived just a few days after the park opened for the season so the campground was especially quiet." Some facilities have reduced staffing in shoulder seasons.
Tidal considerations: Waterfront sites along rivers and ocean have tidal fluctuations affecting water access. A Shore Hills Campground & RV Park visitor explained: "The river is tidal and so unless you want to wade threw mud there is not access beyond a couple hours around high tide."
Reservation requirements: Popular sites fill quickly during peak season. "I would advise making reservations if you want to stay over a weekend or during the summer season as this park really fills up. You can stay up to 14 days which would definitely require a reservation in the summer," advised one Camden Hills visitor. Less popular sites may be available for walk-ups.
Tips for camping with families
Playground facilities: Many campgrounds provide basic play equipment for children. A camper at Camden Hills noted, "There are really no amenities at this park other than the tour road to Mt. Battie, a swing set from the 1970's, a picnic shelter, and the trails." Check ahead for playground quality if this is important for your children.
Look for protected swimming areas: Some lakefront properties have designated beach areas better suited for young swimmers. A visitor at Sherwood Forest Campsite mentioned, "This campground is also very close to a public beach and a very short drive to Darmascota, so overall, I am very happy with the location and experience!"
Consider site layout for safety: The terrain at some campgrounds may present challenges for families with small children. At one location, a visitor cautioned: "The lay of the land is sloped and they need to improve drainage of run off. The site was very wet with standing water making most of the site unusable."
Tips from RVers
Site selection for larger rigs: Limited large sites are available at most campgrounds. A Camden Hills visitor advised: "Although the park accommodates larger RV's, there are a limited number of sites for those over 35 feet and the gravel roads are easy to navigate in a big rig."
Hookup considerations: Water and electrical availability varies by site within the same campground. "About half the sites have water and 30/50 amp electric and the others are no hookups. The campgrounds website has a very helpful map showing which sites are reservable and what they offer," explained one camper. Sites with both sewer and electrical hookups often cost more.
Utility reliability: Check campground reviews for infrastructure quality information. A visitor noted an issue: "The post that the electrical box and water was hooked to was in standing water. The water hose coming out of the ground had a leak and was spurting out water." Older campgrounds may have periodic utility challenges even with regular maintenance.
