K
Kevin O.
Scout
ScoutBelgrade Bungalows
1st Hipcamp experience
Very nice camp spot. Private away from other spaces. Very nice site manager. Must be self contained, no hook up amenities available. Trash dumpster on site.
Camping near South Bristol, ME
102 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Search destinations
Add dates
SUMMARY PRESENTED BY
Campgrounds near South Bristol, Maine range from established facilities to waterfront sites along the scenic midcoast region. Shore Hills Campground in Boothbay Harbor and Sagadahoc Bay Campground in Georgetown provide diverse accommodation options including tent sites, RV hookups, cabins, and glamping opportunities. Several campgrounds in the area feature waterfront access, with Hermit Island Campground and Wolfe's Neck Oceanfront Campground offering prime coastal camping experiences. The region includes both privately operated campgrounds and state park facilities within driving distance of South Bristol's coastal attractions.
Seasonal considerations heavily impact camping availability in the midcoast Maine area, with most campgrounds operating from May through October. Many sites require advance reservations, particularly for summer weekends and waterfront locations. "Camden Hills SP is a no contest campground if you are visiting Camden and surrounding MidCoast areas," noted one visitor, highlighting the popularity of state parks in the region. Road conditions generally accommodate standard vehicles, though some campgrounds have limited access for larger RVs. Cell service varies throughout the region, with stronger coverage near larger towns. Weather conditions can change rapidly along the coast, with fog, wind, and cooler temperatures common even during summer months.
Campers consistently praise the natural beauty and water access available at campgrounds throughout the region. Waterfront sites at places like Hermit Island Campground receive particularly high ratings for their views and proximity to swimming areas. A camper described one location as having "numerous coves and larger beaches to swim at" where "you can see the sunrise from one side, and the sunset from another." While oceanfront sites tend to be more exposed to wind and weather, inland campgrounds offer more protection among pine forests. Many campgrounds provide amenities like fire rings, picnic tables, and access to bathhouses with showers. Family-friendly activities are common at the larger established campgrounds, while smaller facilities tend to offer more peaceful settings for those seeking quiet retreats along Maine's picturesque coastline.
Best Campgrounds near South Bristol (102)
1. Sagadahoc Bay Campground
"Small campground with a couple spots for rigs and a wooded area for tenting and small pull behinds. This is not a resort. Simple place to land and enjoy the coast of Maine."
"It’s a wide open field, and you’re definitely next to people with no trees to separate you but the sites have plenty of space."
from $56 - $170 / night
Check Availability2. Shore Hills Campground & RV Park
"Boothbay Harbor is a cute coastal Maine town and Shore Hills Campground is a great location for visiting the downtown and other Maine towns like Wiscasset and Easy Boothbay."
"Well manicured, about 4 miles or so into Boothbay Harbor Maine. Great shopping, hiking, being a tourist, go to Damariscotta or get a lobster down one of the peninsulas. "
3. Boothbay Craft Brewery & RV Resort
"Riley was super helpful over the phone and was outside greeting all the campers at the entrance. The brewery and restaurant are phenomenal!"
"Sites are not secluded, but you can't beat walking distance to a brewery. The food at the taproom was also good! Online booking was easy and the campsites were well priced."
from $106 - $126 / night
Check Availability4. Chewonki Campground
"Small family owned campground with a variety of people enjoying piney Maine scenery. Owners are super nice and helpful. Salt water pool, walking or biking trails, boats to use."
"Beautiful scenery with a river to highlight Maine’s tidal environment. Kayaking, salt water pool and scenic walking trails blends in with the variety of singing birds under several tall pine trees."
5. Pemaquid Point Campground
"It is located close to the coast and Pemaquid Point Light house is right down the road. We rode our bikes to the beach and grocery store everyday."
"The campground is about a mile from the lighthouse, an easy drive or bike. "
6. Sherwood Forest Campsite
"No traffic noise from outside. The path to Pemaquid beach is right at the end of the driveway and not much further to the historic fort. The Pemaquid Point lighthouse is 15 minutes away."
"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!"
from $42 - $75 / night
Check Availability7. Wolfe's Neck Oceanfront Campground
"There are bathrooms close by to all, the main lodge is nice and the food at the snack shack is sooo good!! burgers, pizza, salad- all local and from their gardens."
"Restrooms were close by but the only downside was that the showers were at the main store so you had to drive all the way up there!"
8. Hermit Island Campground
"We were not able to select a site close to the water since those sites all get reserved in the early spring!"
"I’ve been to nearby Popham Beach SP a few times and wanted to check out camping in the area. I’d read good things about Hermit Island."
9. Meadowbrook Camping
"This is a nice campground really close (though still driving distance) to Popham Beach - which is one of the best beaches in Maine, in my opinion."
"Popham beach is so close and by far one of the best beaches in Maine. If you are looking for a place in Maine close to a beach and where you can have lobster this is it!"
10. Duck Puddle Campground
"The waterfront sites (61-66) offer direct access to the lake and have trees between the site for a more private feel. Some have a private dock for fishing or sitting, others have a small beach area."
"It’s also close to other fun coastal towns. Definitely worth a visit."
Drive Time
- 1 hr 25 min from Lewiston, ME
- 1 hr 41 min from Portland, ME
- 2 hrs 10 min from Bangor, ME
- 2 hrs 44 min from Manchester, NH
Recent Camping Photos near South Bristol, ME
217 Photos of 102 South Bristol Campgrounds
Anita B.
Sherwood Forest Campsite
James C.
Pemaquid Point Campground
Laurie H.
Boothbay Craft Brewery & RV Resort
Nancy W.
Shore Hills Campground & RV Park
Venus M.
Sagadahoc Bay Campground
Richard G.
Lake Pemaquid Campground
Clementine E.
Tamerlane Tent
Todd G.
Meadowbrook Camping
Andrew G.
Duck Puddle Campground
robert M.
Thomas Point Beach and Campground
Kelli T.
Tops’l Farm
Rita M.
Hermit Island Campground
Recent Reviews near South Bristol, ME
522 Reviews of 102 South Bristol Campgrounds
- ssusan F.
RangerBradbury Mountain State Park Campground
Hiking trails and kitchen!
A small campground with closely spaced sites in a heavily wooded area. There is some road noise (even though it’s on a back road), but we could barely hear it camped in the back loop. Nice shower rooms, pit toilets and a cool common area with a coffee maker, sink, hot plate and extra kitchen items. Well maintained and the campground host was friendly and helpful.
- ssusan F.Ranger
Green Valley Campground
Beautiful lake setting
This is a small campground off the beaten path, on a large lake (known locally as Webber “Pond”) with docks for swimming and boating. Many of the sites are reserved for the entire summer with permanent RVs. There are a cluster of closely spaced central sites that are available for others. The bathrooms were clean and showers warm. Fellow campers and sat were welcoming and friendly.
- SSherree C.
GuideFamily and Friends Campground
Quiet campground
Lovely campground near the lake. Many of the beaches were resident only so I highly recommend buying the $10 beach pass to access their private beach (There’s only two passes available so get there early) The lake was incredibly beautiful and so relaxing!
I will say site #23 is a bit of a tight squeeze, we had a travel trailer (About 21 ft) and a GMC Sierra and we had to pull the truck up tightly against the trailer so we weren’t sticking out. Wanna shout out Rick because he was so kind and very helpful!
Adam and Suzanne B.GuidePemaquid Point Campground
Very quiet
This is a nice very quiet campground. It is off the beaten path. The bathrooms were clean and the staff pleasant. It was well kept.
Julia B.
TravelerWinslow Park And Campground
Excellent campground
We had the best time at this campground. Everyone was super friendly, the bathrooms and showers were new and very clean and it was nice and quiet. We would come back here anytime!
Emily K.ScoutPowder Horn Family Camping Resort
Loved Powderhorn!!
We quite enjoyed our time at Powderhorn Campground in Old Orchard Beach in Maine. Our site was one of the best sites we ever stayed at, tucked in the corner and no one next to us. The cleanliness of the whole park was above and beyond. Showers and bathrooms super clean at all times. Paved roads were great to ride bikes on. Sites were spaced appropriately, not too tight. The pool complex was very organized and offered pools, hot tubs, store, arcade, volleyball net, basketball, playground, horse shoes, shuffleboard and free mini golf. Activities were only on the weekend but that was fine with us as the proximity to the beach kept us plenty busy. There is a trolley that brings you to different areas, including the pier at the beach, restaurants, waterpark and other campgrounds.$2 per adult,$1 per child. Such a cool way to travel and cheap. To be honest I checked out Bayleys campground and Paradise Park campground and even though they may have had more to do at the campgrounds, the sites were so close together, and bayleys complex was too much. That is my opinion and I’m so happy we chose Powderhorn.
- MMark M.Guide
Desert of Maine Campground
Great for glamping, it is NOT an RV site as indicated in The Dyrt
Neat "desert" which was a form overgrazed by sheep, resulting in expanding area of blowing beach sand. Cool history such as archaeology, fossils, etc. Walk or ride around the "desert".
Really fun miniature golf course, which we sometimes drive to. Hot dogs, sausage, etc. that they cook right on outdoor grills along with ice cream, drinks, snacks etc. at their snack bar.
The campsite has tents, geodesic domes, etc. They are all very nice, and the rest and shower facilities are clean. A lot of upgrades have been (and are being) made over the past few years.
They DO NOT HAVE ANY RV SITES. Perhaps in the distant past they did, but now it's a place to bring a car and enjoy a glamping cabin or tent in the outdoors.
- ccharnie H.Scout
Durham Leisure Campground
Durham
Beautiful cg... lovely trees, very quiet
Guide to South Bristol
Camping near South Bristol, Maine offers access to coastal tidal environments with dramatic 9-11 foot tide changes throughout the day. This midcoast region features a mix of wooded inland sites and open coastal camping with temperatures typically ranging from 55-75°F during peak season. Most campgrounds in the area maintain quiet hours from 10pm-7am with varying policies on generator usage.
What to do
Kayak from shoreline sites: At Sagadahoc Bay Campground, tide timing affects water activities. "When the tide goes out you have the entire inlet to walk around in and explore. At night the stars were absolutely amazing!" notes Michael H. Some campers enjoy clamming during low tide.
Explore working farms: Wolfe's Neck Oceanfront Campground combines camping with agricultural experiences. "A beautiful place with a farm, campground and state park all together! Pet the baby cows and see the pigs and goats," explains Tiffany N. The campground supports sustainable agriculture education programs.
Brewery camping: At Boothbay Craft Brewery & RV Resort, visitors can enjoy craft beer and food without leaving the property. "The brewery is really cool, and the wood fired pizza is some of my favorite. The folks who run this place are really friendly and accommodating," says Joe R. The brewery offers live music during summer weekends.
What campers like
Tidal exploration: The changing tides create unique camping experiences. "You can see the tides come in and out and listen to the waves," describes Ming R. at Sagadahoc Bay Campground. The dramatic water level changes reveal clamming opportunities and wildlife viewing.
Uncrowded beaches: Hermit Island Campground offers multiple secluded beach options. "The campground is surrounded on 3 sides by ocean. There are numerous coves and larger beaches to swim at. One can easily bike to all the rocky coasts or sandy beaches," explains Rita M. The campground restricts access to registered campers only.
Proximity to historical sites: Pemaquid Point Campground places visitors within walking distance of landmarks. "Right down the road from the Pemaquid Point Lighthouse with a wonderful breakfast spot right next door — I'd recommend the blueberry pancakes," suggests Michael H.
What you should know
Reservation systems vary: Many campgrounds maintain traditional booking methods. Hermit Island "does not have an online reservation system. You have to mail in your request or call," explains Kim H. Call ahead about deposit requirements as some facilities don't accept credit cards.
Mosquito preparation: Bug protection is essential, especially in wooded sites. "This is coastal Maine and there are mean mosquitoes. My all natural bug spray which is usually strong enough for NY bugs is not effective there," warns Ming R. Pack multiple types of repellent and consider thermacell devices.
Cell service limitations: Most coastal campgrounds have minimal connectivity. "No cell service (you may be able to get a little at the office)," notes Brandon C. at Hermit Island Campground. Download maps and information before arrival.
Tips for camping with families
Educational farm activities: Wolfe's Neck offers family-friendly agricultural experiences. "We loved that! We went into Freeport and did a lobster charter on the Jenny ellen boat. Beat memories of any trip we have been one and we camp a lot," shares Tonya M. The campground has designated family activity areas.
Beach variety: Chewonki Campground provides diverse water experiences. "Kayaking, salt water pool and scenic walking trails blends in with the variety of singing birds under several tall pine trees," describes Cheryl R. Many sites include walking paths to shore areas.
Playground access: Duck Puddle Campground maintains family recreation areas. "Great beach for swimming, playground for playing," notes Andrew G. Weekend themed events often feature bonfires and activities throughout summer months.
Tips from RVers
Size restrictions: Many coastal campgrounds have limited large rig access. "We stayed in a 25 feet RV at the far end of the campsite. The campsite is spacious and clean, and has a nice walkway onto a small island in the lake," reports Olaf at Shore Hills Campground & RV Park.
Pull-through availability: Terrain challenges can affect site access. Joe R. at Boothbay Craft Brewery & RV Resort mentions, "We had a pull through site which worked really well for newbies like my wife and I." Some campgrounds recommend specific entry directions for challenging sites.
Water filtration: Water quality varies between campgrounds. "We had brown water and were extremely thankful for our multiple water filters," notes Joy P. from Meadowbrook Camping. Bringing additional filtration is recommended, especially during peak season.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near South Bristol, ME?
What camping is available near South Bristol, ME?
According to TheDyrt.com, South Bristol, ME offers a wide range of camping options, with 102 campgrounds and RV parks near South Bristol, ME and 1 free dispersed camping spot.
Which is the most popular campground near South Bristol, ME?
Which is the most popular campground near South Bristol, ME?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near South Bristol, ME is Sagadahoc Bay Campground with a 4.1-star rating from 18 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near South Bristol, ME?
Where can I find free dispersed camping near South Bristol, ME?
According to TheDyrt.com, there is 1 free dispersed camping spot near South Bristol, ME.
Keep Exploring