Seasonal RV campgrounds near St. George, Maine offer varied terrain from wooded sites to coastal views, with most operating from May through mid-October. The region experiences significant tide changes of 9-11 feet that affect shoreline access and water activities. Weather conditions during camping season range from cool 50°F nights in spring and fall to summer temperatures averaging 70-80°F during peak season.
What to do
Visit local islands and preserves: The Stonington area provides excellent access to exploring islands by boat or ferry. "We stayed for a month and were very happy with our stay. Located near Stonington, it is near the harbor, restaurants, a sand beach and the ferry to Isle au Haut. Opportunities for Kayaking, SUP's and hiking abound here on a quiet island," notes a camper at Greenlaw's RV Park & Campground.
Explore botanical gardens: Located near Boothbay Harbor, these gardens feature unique attractions. "We stayed here for a week while exploring the area—don't miss the Guardians of the Seeds (trolls) at the Botanical Gardens! Truly a one of a kind campground with amazing restaurant and brewery on site!!!!!" recommends a visitor at Boothbay Craft Brewery & RV Resort.
Take advantage of hiking trails: The Camden region offers extensive trail networks directly from campgrounds. One visitor to Camden Hills State Park explained, "The top portion of the park, where all the campsites are, has direct access to Mount Megunticook, and Mount Battie, and offers easy to advanced hikes. It's great to be able to do numerous hikes without having to leave the park."
Visit historic marine museums: Within driving distance of most St. George area campgrounds are educational maritime attractions. "Just a mere 20 miles away is the popular coastal town of Camden. Plus, you are just five miles from the cute town of Searsport which houses the wonderful Penobscot Marine Museum and two miles from Moose Point State Park with hiking trails and gorgeous views."
What campers like
Waterfront access: Many campers appreciate direct water access for activities. At Patten Pond Camping Resort, "There is a small beach at the lake where you can swim and kayak (for rent). People at the office are very nice, polite and accommodating. Good cell reception."
Campground shuttles: Some campgrounds offer transportation solutions for nearby towns with limited parking. "We visited on Indigenous Peoples weekend. The leaves were at their peak and the nights were crisp. We enjoyed our time very much," noted a camper at Shore Hills Campground & RV Park.
Cedar showers: A unique amenity that campers frequently mention are specialty shower facilities. "The views of the ocean are amazing! So peaceful for sunset and morning coffee. The bathrooms are clean and the cedar showers are awesome! We've been excited to come back here since we left," reports a camper at Meguniticook by the Sea Campground.
Well-maintained facilities: Campers consistently note clean facilities as a highlight. One reviewer shared, "The bathhouse was very clean and there are both outdoor and indoor showers; both looked nice although we did not use them." Another mentioned, "The laundry has two wash machines/dryers and was clean and tidy."
What you should know
Reservation policies vary: Some campgrounds operate on unique booking systems. At Greenlaw's RV Park, "Once your reservation is made (we texted the owner to make ours) reservations are on the honor system that you show up. No prepayment was required. An invoice is emailed to you with payment options the morning after you check in. It was refreshing to be trusted, like campgrounds used to be run."
Additional fees can add up: Be prepared for potential extra charges beyond site fees. "I thought $50 for a tent site was a little steep but it was all the potential extra fees that irked me: $30 site lock to ensure you get the site you want when you reserve, $4 weather guarantee (allows you to cancel due to inclement weather), $7.95 if you need to hook up to WiFi, $10 to use the dump station."
Road noise affects some locations: Proximity to main roads can impact the camping experience. "The biggest downside to this campground is traffic noise from Route 1! Not bad at night but it does start early in the morning. I would still stay there again," cautions a visitor at Megunticook by the Sea.
Timing impacts availability: Camden Hills State Park Campground has specific reservation policies that vary by season. "I was worried when I decided to come to this part of Maine in the fall without reservations. It's early October, and I learned that Maine State Parks are first come first serve at this point. I was pleasantly surprised to arrive and find plenty of vacant spots."
Tips for camping with families
Look for campgrounds with kid-friendly features: Some locations offer dedicated recreational facilities. "Park amenities include private ocean access, horseshoes, playground, laundry, showers/bathrooms, free coffee in the morning, free weekend papers delivered to your site, free donuts on Sunday mornings, and a restaurant on-site."
Consider seasonal programming: Many campgrounds offer organized activities during peak season. "The park organizes a lot of group activities including pot lucks, lobster shore dinners, BBQ feast, and cold beverages offered during Friday Happy Hours."
Choose sites based on needs: Family camping requires attention to site selection. "The sites are close together but we had a site at the end that had wonderful views of the river and we could angle our camper so we had privacy," explains a visitor to Shore Hills Campground, adding, "The river is tidal and so unless you want to wade threw mud there is not access beyond a couple hours around high tide."
Check for playground facilities: Available play areas vary significantly between campgrounds. "Campsite are nice great for tents and RV's. Lots of nice hikes close by with amazing views would definitely go back," notes a Camden Hills visitor, though another mentions "'Playground' is a bit of a stretch."
Tips from RVers
Watch for site width limitations: Many coastal Maine campgrounds have narrower access roads. "The roads are gravel with potholes and campsites are grassy or dirt depending on if you are under a tree or a previous campers patio mat killed the grass. Lots of tall pine trees provide shade but also make it a little difficult to navigate the roads. We had to go pretty slow to avoid hitting tree branches."
Pay attention to site leveling: Site preparation varies between locations. "Luckily our site was level but some are not very level and would have been a problem for us. It appears the new owners are really trying to upgrade the park and make improvements to roads and sites."
Internet access varies significantly: Connectivity solutions differ between parks. "Wifi was a service you had to pay for which is almost unheard of in today's campgrounds. Most campgrounds offer free wifi but this one only offered the wifi for a fee. We decided not to shell out the money but since we did not get a strong Verizon signal, internet access was pretty much non-existent."
Consider entertainment options: Media availability can be limited. "The other problem was that we did not get any over-the-air television channels and they did not have cable. Satellite reception was also a problem because of the trees. It is best to have a portable unit but even then, it could be difficult to get reception."