The Maine coastal region near Searsport offers diverse camping options along the rocky shores of Penobscot Bay. With elevations ranging from sea level to 800 feet at nearby Mount Battie, campers experience the unique microclimate of coastal Maine where summer temperatures typically hover between 65-78°F. Sites throughout the region provide varying degrees of privacy, from densely wooded inland locations to open oceanfront spots where tides fluctuate approximately 10 feet daily.
What to do
Arts and crafts activities: At Searsport Shores Ocean Campground, campers can participate in various artistic pursuits. "This place is so much more than a beautiful campground nestled among gorgeous old growth trees located right on the shore. It's also a treasure trove of arts of all kinds - fiber arts, metal sculptures, carvings, paintings, and music," notes Kathy L., who enjoyed a "small, intimate festival and workshop of fiddlers, banjos, ukuleles, mandolins, and guitars jamming with old time and blue grass music."
Hiking mountain trails: The area offers substantial elevation gains for hikers seeking views. Camden Hills State Park Campground provides direct access to multiple trails. One camper mentioned, "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."
Kayaking in protected waters: The numerous inlets and coves create ideal paddling conditions for various skill levels. "The kayaking from the park is very good, with protected access into Mt. Desert Narrows," reports a visitor at Bar Harbor Oceanside KOA. For additional launching points, a visitor at Meguniticook by the Sea Campground shared that "Rockport harbor is a short bike ride away with a beautiful ocean side road. Ask the harbor master for directions."
What campers like
Private beach access: Many campers value the ability to walk directly to shore from their sites. "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," explains a visitor to Moorings Oceanfront RV Resort.
Community gatherings: Social events create memorable experiences at several campgrounds. At Searsport Shores, visitors appreciate the "community firepit" and activities like "lobster bake at the ocean." One camper mentioned, "The park organizes a lot of group activities including pot lucks, lobster shore dinners, BBQ feast, and cold beverages offered during Friday Happy Hours."
Cedar outdoor showers: Unique shower facilities stand out at Meguniticook by the Sea Campground, where a visitor raved, "We love the showers!! Even though we're in a trailer with a bathroom I made use of the cedar showers for a long hot shower- awesome!" Another camper described them as being "of similar construction to a sauna and it feels like a hot shower outdoors."
What you should know
Site spacing considerations: Privacy varies significantly between campgrounds and specific sites. At Oceanfront Camping @ Reach Knolls, "Sites are mostly private and have space," according to Jillian B. However, some campgrounds have closer quarters, as one visitor to Bar Harbor Oceanside KOA noted: "My challenge with the KOA is the sites were so close together and it was very crowded. Everyone was really packed in, with no buffer between sites."
Reservations essential: Peak season fills quickly, particularly for waterfront sites. One camper advised, "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."
Winter closures: Most campgrounds operate seasonally from mid-May through mid-October. Camden Hills State Park Campground operates "mid may-mid oct[ walk-in only starting early September," while Meguniticook by the Sea Campground has a similar season of "May 15-Oct 15."
Tips for camping with families
Look for separate tent areas: Some campgrounds segment areas by camping style. "The tent sites are completely separate from the RVs and are in the woods, beautifully maintained," notes April W. about Searsport Shores Ocean Campground, adding that "It makes it great for any age kid, there are always tons of kids around."
Consider organized activities: Maine Wild Blueberry Bliss offers a unique experience where "we swam in the water everyday, and picked/ate the blueberries!" according to Korie M. At other campgrounds, scheduled programs keep children engaged throughout the stay.
Check playground availability: Facilities vary widely between campgrounds. One family noticed that at Camden Hills State Park, the "Playground is a bit of a stretch. Firewood was a bit pricey at $7 a bundle." By comparison, other campgrounds offer more robust options including "a jungle gym, basketball court, volley ball, and a dog run."
Tips from RVers
Check site dimensions carefully: Some campgrounds have limited large rig capacity. "There are a limited number of sites for those over 35 feet and the gravel roads are easy to navigate in a big rig," notes one RVer about Camden Hills State Park.
Hookup variations: Electrical service differs between campgrounds and specific sites. At Moorings Oceanfront RV Resort, a visitor reported that "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."
Consider site location: Oceanfront sites command premium prices but offer unmatched experiences. As one RVer at Bar Harbor KOA explained, "Our waterfront site 344 was terrific - gorgeous view, and one of the larger waterfront spots. We could launch our kayaks directly from the site."
