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Dog-Friendly Camping near Sandy River, ME

75 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.

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    SUMMARY PRESENTED BYT-Mobile

    Two Rivers Campground's pet-friendly RV and tent sites accommodate dogs of all sizes with no breed restrictions. Located in Skowhegan, this riverside campground offers a mix of wooded and waterfront sites where dogs can enjoy the natural setting alongside their owners. Most pet-friendly campsites include water and electric hookups, picnic tables, and fire rings. Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park also welcomes pets at their family-oriented campground, providing cabins and RV sites where dogs can stay with their families. Campers with dogs note the well-maintained grounds and pet-friendly atmosphere throughout the property. The small tent sites located at the point of Two Rivers Campground provide excellent river views and are especially popular with dog owners for the easy water access.

    Several hiking and walking opportunities exist near Sandy River campgrounds where leashed dogs can explore alongside their owners. Happy Horseshoe Campground features walking trails on the property suitable for daily dog exercise, while Mount Blue State Park allows leashed pets on most hiking paths. Campers should bring waste bags as pet waste stations are limited at some of the smaller campgrounds. The seasonal timing affects pet comfort, with summer temperatures making midday activities challenging for dogs—many campers report walking their pets in early mornings along the Kennebec. Abnaki Family Camping Center allows dogs at waterfront sites where they can cool off during hot days, though temporary tethering rules apply. Veterinary services are available in Skowhegan, approximately 10-15 minutes from most area campgrounds.

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    Best Dog-Friendly Campgrounds near Sandy River (75)

      1. Two Rivers Campground

      4.1(8)11mi from Sandy RiverRVs, Tents, Cabins

      "All other sites are pretty close to each other without much privacy between them. RV sites have cable with 70+ channels."

      "Walking out the door is the serene view if the water. Some sites are back in and others are pull through. The laundry and bath houses are clean and welcoming."

      from $35 / night

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      2. Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park at Yonder Hill

      4.2(5)8mi from Sandy RiverRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "Lots of fun activities and close to shopping and dining make this a good family spot."

      3. Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park Camp-Resort Madison - Skowhegan

      5.0(1)8mi from Sandy RiverRVs, Tents, Cabins

      from $35 - $74 / night

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      4. Sandy Beach Campground

      4.0(1)10mi from Sandy RiverRVs

      5. Happy Horseshoe Campground

      4.0(6)18mi from Sandy RiverRVs, Tents, Cabins

      "Owners, Judy & Buster have created a camping gem in rural Maine."

      "Game room, pool, you can walk a holiday if you would like. Great entertainment on the weekends. Clean bathrooms and up to date. Friendly campers. Baked bean suppers sold on Saturday night."

      6. Abnaki Family Camping Center

      2.5(2)11mi from Sandy RiverRVs, Tents

      7. Skowhegan Kennebec Valley KOA

      5.0(3)17mi from Sandy RiverRVs, Tents, Cabins

      "they were renovating the pool surround while we were there but they are very friendly..quiet at night..we will be there for July 4th week."

      from $25 - $150 / night

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      8. Mount Blue State Park Campground

      4.6(18)28mi from Sandy RiverRVs, Tents

      "Our camp sites were next to each other but also very private. No water or electricity except at the main bathrooms where there are showers, toilets and a dish wash station. Beautiful lake!"

      "Mount Blue is an awesome Maine State Park about 2 hrs. north-west of Portland, 1hr from the White Mts. in NH and 1.5 hours from the Quebec border. "

      from $20 - $30 / night

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      9. The Evergreens Campground and Restaurant

      3.0(1)16mi from Sandy RiverRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      10. Deer Farm Camps & Campground - TEMPORARILY CLOSED

      4.6(5)24mi from Sandy RiverRVs, Tents, Cabins

      "A place to enjoy the lake and all the fun activities that go along with it. As well as a bathroom facility for showering and all your tolitere needs."

      "This small, family run campground is a nice spot to get off the grid and explore western Maine. I stayed here because of its proximity to the Fire Warden trail up Mt."

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    Dog-Friendly Camping Reviews near Sandy River, ME

    302 Reviews of 75 Sandy River Campgrounds


    • Becca H.The Dyrt PRO User
      Jul. 16, 2022

      Pumpkin Patch RV Resort

      Clean and Quiet with Friendly People!

      Stayed Here for one night after picking up a new travel trailer nearby. The staff and campers were all very friendly and welcoming. Much of the population consists of seasonal campers with huge RVs and Motor Homes. It’s very adult oriented, super quiet, and super clean. There are nice little walking trails and a small fenced in dog park where dogs can play. Would definitely stay here again if in the area!

    • Nancy W.The Dyrt PRO User
      Jul. 18, 2017

      Moorings Campground

      Love the Ocean Access and Views

      Overall, this is a great little private RV park with awesome views (from some sites) and great access to the ocean. The park is conveniently located just a few miles from downtown Belfast (a sweet little Maine town) which offers plenty to do and see. 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, picnic areas, and more gorgeous views.

      The park offers a variety of sites (44 total) depending on if you want oceanfront, ocean view, or a pull-thru. All sites have electric (50 or 30 amp), water, cable and wifi. The five pull-thru sites also include sewer. A mobile sewer pump-out service is available for guests staying one week or longer and there is a dump station. Roads and sites are gravel with grass patios and level. All sites have a fire ring and picnic table. Our Verizon 4G phone and Hotspot worked great but we mostly used the free wifi which worked very well.

      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. The park organizes a lot of group activities including pot lucks, lobster shore dinners, and free wine and beer during Friday Happy Hours. The laundry has two wash machines/dryers and was clean and tidy.

      The Moorings is in a great location. It is just a few miles from downtown Belfast where you will find restaurants, a brewery, boutiques, a movie theater, art galleries, historic museums/sites, and plenty of water-related activities. Grocery stores and fuel stations are within a few miles of the RV Park. Just a mere 20 miles away is the popular coastal town of Camden.   

      What we liked about this park is the town of Belfast and how close the RV park is to downtown. Also, the parks small size and friendly people make this an enjoyable place to stay. We like the fact that they had social activities (like free happy hour and donuts) that bring people together. The ocean access in this park is great! A short set of stairs takes you down to the water which is great for exploring, launching kayaks, and letting the dog run/swim when the tide is out. 

      The biggest downside for us was the price and lack of sewer and 50 amp at some sites. Our site was $66/night for a FHU (50 amp) pull-thru on the hill in the front of the park without much in the way of a water view. Premier oceanfront sites (with no sewer and 30 amps) are $72/night during high season. That being said, there are not too many options for campgrounds in the Belfast area and we really did like staying here. 

      From a dog owners perspective this park gets mixed reviews. The rules ask that dogs be on a 4’ or less lease, you may only have two pets (unless you get prior approval), they must do their business in one small area and are not allowed on most grassy areas throughout the park. We make a consorted effort not too let our dog pee or poop in others yards but we don’t always have control over where that happens. We did like the fact that you could take them down to the ocean to play in the water and on the beach when the tide was out. Within two miles of the RV park is Moose Point State Park with a few miles of hiking trails, picnic area and water access (a daily use fee is charged). Downtown Belfast does have a fenced off-leash 1.4 – acre dog park with water for dogs and benches for owners.

    • D
      Sep. 12, 2020

      Martin Stream Campground

      Hidden gem!

      This is a beautiful, family and pet friendly campground. Very well kept. The bathrooms and showers were always clean. Plenty of activities. There is a beautiful nature trail along the stream!

    • Sandie N.
      Jul. 21, 2021

      Peaks-Kenny State Park

      Bee Aware

      I don’t have many complaints about this campground. There was a slight bee problem during our stay, but that’s to be expected. Most of the bathrooms in the park were closed down except for one, which our site (29) was next to. They have running hot water showers, a large basin sink outside to wash dishes, and flush toilets. The beach isn’t a far walk away, if you wanted to go on a small hike. Pets are allowed at the campground, but not on the beach. There’s also plenty of trails to explore.

      If you need firewood, there’s a store on the way to the park that sells some as well as a shaws and a tractor supply in town that sells it as well. The parks fire wood burns too quickly.

      Overall, would recommend

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

      Bethel Outdoor Adventure and Campground

      Great river access, close to town.

      We chose to stay at this campground because it was close to downtown Bethel, had river access, and had a full hook-up site for our 45’ RV. Campsites vary from full hook-up pull through to grassy shaded private sites perfect for tent camping. The sites are pretty close together and ours was a buddy site which meant our patio faced our neighbor’s patio. Since the sites were so close, we were practically sitting next to them. Luckily, they were nice people and we enjoyed talking to them. 

      Not all sites are level and we found it difficult to get into because of the tight roads and dangling tree limbs. Some of the best sites are unfortunately reserved for work campers. These are pull-ins with a view of a grassy field. The wifi at our site (#21) was horrible and we never used it. There is no cable and we were not able to pick up any over-the-air television channels. The campground is pretty wooded which was nice for the shade but meant we were not able to get satellite reception with our dome mounted receiver. We ended up using our portable receiver and after two days of moving the unit we were finally able to lock into the satellites. 

      We selected a 50-amp full hookup pull through site which was $46/night. Our sewer was uphill at our site which is a big pet peeve of ours and super annoying when it comes to empty the tanks. The 50-amp worked well and it was well-placed in the site as was the water. The roads and campsites are gravel and the patios are a mix of gravel and grass. Each site has a picnic table and fire pit. The campground is adjacent to a paved walking/biking path that leads to downtown Bethel. We used the path to walk over to the farmers market and found it very convenient to walk our dog. There is also a mowed path through a field that we also liked for walking our dog. 

      The best aspect of this campground is the access to the Androscoggin River. The park rents kayaks, canoes, and tubes and has a shuttle service that will take you up river for so you can float back to the campground. We used the campgrounds shuttle livery service to take our kayak and paddleboard up river for a leisurely float down the river so we could enjoy the scenery, have a picnic, and fish. (Since we used our own boats, the coast was cheaper.) The campground offers this service to non-campers which meant there were a lot of people walking through the campground. The bathroom in the campground was old and tired and heavily used by people floating the river which and was pretty dirty. They also have a sluice on the property, where (for a fee) you can get a bucket of mined material and get to sort through it looking for minerals and gems. Whatever you find, you keep. 

      The campground is located off Route 2 which is fairly convenient but the road noise was pretty loud as this is a heavily trafficed road. Downtown Bethel is just a few minutes away and has a brewery, grocery, restaurants, shops, and the Maine Mineral and Gem Museum. About five miles away is Sunday River which is a ski area. We took the chair lift up the mountain so we could hike around and take in the beautiful views.  On the way, we stopped at Sunday River Brewery and had a delicious meal and great beer.

    • D
      Jul. 8, 2019

      Cathedral Pines Campground

      Amazing in all aspects!

      Nestled in western Maine just past Sugarloaf ski mountain lies Cathedral Pines. When you arrive you will appreciate the name. Running alongside beautiful Flagstaff lake this campsite offers something for everyone. Beautiful sunrises over the Bigelow mountains, hikes along the Appalachian Trail, bike trails, kayaking, canoeing, swimming , fishing and the ability to just huddle around the fire with a book! You can even take a short drive to the Canadian border or visit the numerous antique shops along the way in town.

      There is a kids activity center where planned activities are always a hit. There is even an arcade for the kids if weather is bad. Spacious sites, some with power and water and some without. A winding maze of paved roads intertwine thru the woods. Perfect for the kids and adults alike to bike!

      I am partial to waterfront sites because I love being the first up to start coffee and watch the sun rise and morning break. I've also stayed inside the campground more away from the water and have no complaints. All the facilities are meticulously cleaned and the staff are amazing!

      Every year when the few families we camp with get together to pick our campgrounds and dates, it's always when are we going to Cat Pines, not will we go.

    • Celeste C.
      Jun. 1, 2019

      Lone Mountain Camping

      Peace and Quiet

      We spent the second week of May at this lovely campground. It’s a campground in its second year. The owners and the nicest people. There are hookups: water and electric available on some sites. There is a dump station with water. The bathrooms and showers are new and beautiful. There are tent sites under the trees and a little beach along the river. They do have a cabin tent which is fully furnished in the field. This is an equestrian campground as well. Pets are welcomed. There is plenty of areas, caves and hiking trails to explore. There is a diner down the street that serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. The Appalachian Trail runs through this area. We look forward to spending a week here in July. Come and partake of all this beauty in Andover, Maine. Check out their website. They have 30 & 50 amp power available. We were in a pull through site. We really appreciated having hookups!

    • Sarah C.
      Jul. 24, 2017

      Grafton Notch Campground

      Small & Secluded

      This campground is privately owned and is situated in an amazing spot in the mountains of Western Maine. Open from mid-May through Columbus Day, this campground offers 15 well wooded sites close to great hiking and natural sightseeing spots within steps (or minutes) of the campground. Moose Cave, Screw Auger Falls and the AT are all near the campground.

      You can count on this place to be on the quiet side, as generators are not aloud. Dogs are welcome as long as they are leashed. There campground has hot showers, flush toilets and sites have picnic tables and fire rings. The owners are kind and always willing to help out. Great spot to stay for a visit to the Mahoosucs as well as a first/last night option if you're spending time hiking the Grafton Loop Trail and backcountry camping.

    • Nancy W.The Dyrt PRO User
      Apr. 3, 2021

      Moorings Oceanfront RV Resort

      Great Waterfront Location!

      This is a great little private RV park with awesome views (from some sites) and great access to the ocean. The park is conveniently located just a few miles from downtown Belfast which offers plenty to do and see and is one of our favorite coastal Maine towns.  We love shopping at the Co-op, eating pizza at Meanwhile in Belfast, lobster at Young's Lobster Pound, and lunch at Chase's Daily.  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. 

      The park is small but offers a variety of sites depending on if you want oceanfront, oceanview, or a pull-thru.  There is no tenting allowed!  All sites have electric (50 or 30 amp), water, cable and wifi. The park recently added sewer to all sites and a dump station is onsite. The roads and camp sites are gravel with grass patios. Sites are level. All sites have a fire ring and picnic table. Our Verizon 4G phone and Hotspot worked great but we mostly used their free wifi which worked very well.

      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. The park organizes a lot of group activities including pot lucks, lobster shore dinners, BBQ feast, and cold beverages offered during Friday Happy Hours. The office/store has a great book exchange and an assortment of RV/souvenir items for sale. The laundry has two wash machines/dryers and was clean and tidy.

      The parks small size and friendly people make this an enjoyable place to stay. We like the fact that they had social activities (like free happy hour and donuts) that bring people together. The ocean access is great! A short set of stairs takes you down to the water which is great for exploring, launching kayaks, and letting the dog run/swim when the tide is out. The biggest downside for us was the price which was $94/night for a FHU (50 amp) pull-thru on the hill in the front of the park without much in the way of a water view. Premier oceanfront sites are $110/night during high season. Park rules say that you may only have two pets (unless you get prior approval), they must do their business in one small area and are not allowed on most grassy areas throughout the park. We make a consorted effort not to let our dog pee or poop in others yards but we don’t always have control over where she goes and found this park very restrictive.


    Guide to Sandy River

    Sandy River, Maine offers camping experiences along elevations ranging from 335 to 600 feet, with summer high temperatures typically reaching 75-85°F during peak season. The region features a mix of wooded terrain and waterfront access with camping options concentrated along the Kennebec River watershed. Winter closures affect most campgrounds, with the majority operating only from mid-May through mid-October.

    What to do

    Hiking at Mount Blue State Park: Located near Webb Lake, Mount Blue State Park provides numerous trail options for day hikes. One camper notes, "There are tons of great places to explore with awesome hikes up Mt. Blue and Tumbledown Mt. to name the most popular. Visitors really should take the dirt road across to Coos Canyon, which has been carved out by the Swift River." Mount Blue State Park Campground combines camping with hiking access.

    Free water activities: Some campgrounds provide complimentary water equipment. At Two Rivers Campground, "One of the nice features is that they offer free use of their canoes/kayaks/peddle boats. You reserve a 2-hour time slot, and they provide you with the paddles and life jackets." This makes water recreation accessible even for campers who don't bring their own gear.

    Fishing opportunities: The Kennebec and Wesserunsett Rivers junction provides productive fishing spots. As one camper at Two Rivers Campground observed, "At 6:45am I saw two bald eagles patrolling the Kennebec." The rivers support bass and yellow perch fishing, particularly during early morning hours.

    What campers like

    Riverside tent sites: The best tent sites often feature water views. According to a review, "There are about 5 tent sites—two of which are on a small point stretching into the confluence of the great Kennebec River and the small Wesserunsett River... I absolutely would not recommend any of the other tent sites for various reasons." These premium spots provide direct river access.

    Cleanliness of facilities: Many campgrounds maintain high standards for bathrooms and shower facilities. At Happy Horseshoe Campground, campers appreciate "two very clean bath houses, a rec room, walking trail, nice sized inground pool, playground for smaller kids, a store with Cafe and a teeny-tiny laundry room." Free showers are available at some locations.

    Themed camping events: Family-oriented campgrounds schedule special themed weekends. At Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park, "Every week is themed. My family goes every year for magic pumpkin week which includes TRICK OR TREATING IN SEPTEMBER. My nieces and nephews love it!" These special events enhance the camping experience for families.

    What you should know

    Site privacy varies significantly: Campground layouts determine how much separation exists between sites. According to one camper at Abnaki Family Camping Center, "The campground was very loud - lots of music, yelling, just loud." Sites at some locations offer minimal separation, affecting noise levels.

    Seasonal operation restrictions: Most campgrounds operate from mid-May through mid-October only. Mount Blue State Park Campground typically closes many sections during off-season months, though limited areas remain accessible year-round.

    Road noise considerations: Highway proximity impacts some campgrounds. At Two Rivers Campground, "At night, one can clearly hear the noise from route 2 just at the edge of the campground. The river amplifies the sound of cars passing by." Sites further from main roads generally provide quieter environments.

    Wildlife viewing opportunities: Early mornings offer the best wildlife spotting chances. Happy Horseshoe Campground visitors report, "We were able to see moose regularly during evening hours just a few miles from camp. When leaving camp make a left, drive approximately 15 mins and you are sure to see them."

    Tips for camping with families

    Playground access: For families with younger children, campgrounds with play areas provide important recreation options. One reviewer notes that Happy Horseshoe offers a "playground for smaller kids" while Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park features "pool, playground, bounce house, Yogi Bear, theme weeks, store, rv sites and cabins."

    Swimming options: Water access varies by location. Deer Farm Camps & Campground offers a nearby lake: "The lake is about a 5 minute walk from the campground, but what a beautiful lake it is. Some great water activity included." Swimming areas provide critical recreation for families during hot summer days.

    Pet friendly camping accommodations: Nearly all Sandy River area campgrounds allow dogs with standard leash requirements. Two Rivers Campground accommodates pets at waterfront sites, though campers note some challenges: "One of the downsides is that our patio was a mix of sand and dirt which made for a mess in the RV and not a great place for our dog to lay in."

    Tips from RVers

    Site surface considerations: Ground surfaces affect both comfort and cleanliness. At Two Rivers Campground, "We had a long pull-thru site that was located under pine trees which provided welcomed shade since the temperatures were in the high 80's. The first site we were assigned was in the direct sun so we asked to move to a shady site and they were very accommodating."

    Layout and accessibility: RV site orientations impact views and experience. "Some of the RV sites are located parallel to the river so your patio is open to the river and you have an unobstructed water view. However, these sites are fairly short and would not accommodate larger RVs."

    Pricing and value assessment: When evaluating pet-friendly camping near Sandy River, Maine, consider value versus amenities. At Sandy Beach Campground, one camper noted: "Knocked off one star for the lack of privacy between sites and for the price ($70+ for essentially a parking spot with water/electricity is a bit much imo—at least make the showers free!)."

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Sandy River, ME?

    According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Sandy River, ME is Two Rivers Campground with a 4.1-star rating from 8 reviews.

    What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Sandy River, ME?

    TheDyrt.com has all 75 dog-friendly camping locations near Sandy River, ME, with real photos and reviews from campers.