Cabin rental options exist at several campgrounds within 20 miles of South Portland, Maine. The southern Maine coast sits at sea level with tidal marshes and sandy beaches, creating unique camping experiences year-round. Average summer temperatures range 65-78°F, with coastal breezes moderating the heat compared to inland locations.
What to do
Kayaking marsh waters: At Wild Duck Adult Campground, you can access the Scarborough Marsh through nearby waterways. "There is a culvert under Rt 9 that you need to pass under which is dangerous - the Audubon Center informed us that people have flipped in the culvert due to the current, and that there are obstructions under water," warns one visitor, suggesting the nearby Audubon center as a safer launch point.
Farm experiences: Wolfe's Neck Oceanfront Campground offers unique camping cabins with agricultural activities. "We loved that there was a working farm within the camp ground," notes one visitor. Another camper adds, "A beautiful place with a farm, campground and state park all together! The working farm is open to visit and walk around. Pet the baby cows and see the pigs and goats."
Beach activities: Most camping cabins near South Portland provide beach access, either directly or via shuttle. "The beach is close but not close enough to walk too. We were in an rv and had to unhook to go anywhere," explains a visitor at Old Orchard Beach Campground. Local beaches offer swimming, sunbathing, and fishing opportunities from May through September.
What campers like
Adult-only environments: Some cabins provide age-restricted accommodations. "This adult only campground is peaceful and quiet, with the sounds of birds and the trees being the main thing you hear - it is quite relaxing," notes a visitor at Wild Duck. Another adds, "First time for us at this campground but not our last. A small campground with not a ton of sites but that is what we like."
Pool facilities: Old Orchard Beach Campground offers swimming options beyond the beach. "They have a pool and hot tub. There is a small, but very well-kept dog park. On top of all that there is pinball, Pac-Man, and pool table!" A different camper mentions, "Really nice clean pool and hot tub!"
Trolley service: Several cabin campgrounds offer transportation to nearby beaches. "There is a trolly that will take you to the city for $2, but if you have a bicycle it is a quick 15-minute ride to the beach," notes an Old Orchard Beach Campground visitor. Trolleys typically run hourly during summer season from 9am to 10pm.
What you should know
Seasonal operation: Most cabin rentals operate on limited schedules. "[Wolfe's Neck Oceanfront Campground is] open to the public, free of charge every day and is committed to continuing and improving upon the long tradition of sustainable agriculture, recreation and education while preserving its open space," explains one reviewer, though cabin availability still follows seasonal patterns.
Mosquito preparedness: The coastal marsh environment creates insect challenges. "The only negative of this place was the mosquitoes. They were TERRIBLE. In the time it took after we parked the camper, to when I could dig the bug spray out of our truck I was covered in bites," warns a Wild Duck visitor. Bug spray with DEET is strongly recommended from May through September.
Site spacing: Cabins at most campgrounds have limited privacy. "Not our favorite campground. This place is large with a lot of really close campsites not so private," notes one reviewer of Bayley's Camping Resort. Site layouts vary significantly between campgrounds, with some offering more wooded separation than others.
Tips for camping with families
Tidal considerations: Plan beach activities around tides. "If you have little ones, time your beach trips with low tide. The waves crash pretty hard at high tide," advises a visitor at Wild Acres Tent & Trailer Park. Tide charts are typically available at campground offices.
Farm-to-table options: Some campgrounds integrate food production. "The farm cafe on site with local food. We loved that!" shares a Wolfe's Neck visitor. Another adds, "The food at the snack shack is sooo good!! burgers, pizza, salad- all local and from their gardens."
Playground access: Facilities for children vary between properties. "[Winslow Park] is a local family getaway park, camping, swimming or just sitting by the ocean," notes one visitor. Site selection can impact convenience—ask about proximity to play areas when booking cabins with children.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Cabins are more stable than RVs, but worth noting if you bring your own accommodation. "Our gravel site was perfectly level with no potholes and the roads leading to our site were easy to navigate in our 45' motorhome," reports a visitor at Old Orchard Beach Campground. This demonstrates the quality of infrastructure that extends to cabin areas as well.
Wi-Fi considerations: Internet connectivity varies widely between properties. "The wifi was pretty terrible. We paid extra for what was supposed to be fast, streamable wifi, but at times that didn't work at all or was very slow," warns a camper at Sun Outdoors Old Orchard Beach Downtown. Cell service through Verizon typically provides 2-3 bars throughout the South Portland region.
Off-season benefits: Cabin camping outside peak season offers advantages. "We were in the off-season but can only image the park gets pretty busy especially in the front section where the swimming pool, arcade, camp store, and other activities are located," notes an Old Orchard Beach Campground visitor, highlighting the trade-off between amenity availability and crowds.
