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Best Tent Camping near South Windham, ME

823 Reviews
CAMPER SUMMARY PRESENTED BYFord

Tent campsites around South Windham, Maine provide access to both established campgrounds and more primitive options within short driving distance. Sun Outdoors Saco Old Orchard Beach offers tent sites with amenities including showers, drinking water, and electric hookups, though the location is primarily designed for RVs. Mac's Camping Area in Poland, approximately 20 miles north of South Windham, provides tent camping with boat-in access and more rustic surroundings.

Most tent campgrounds in the area feature dirt or pine-needle covered sites with varying levels of shade. Facilities range widely, with some locations like Swans Falls Campground offering toilets, drinking water, and trash service but no showers. Many tent sites include fire rings and picnic tables, though fire allowance depends on seasonal restrictions and local regulations. Walk-in tent sites at locations like Northern Nursery Brookside Campsites provide more seclusion but typically feature minimal amenities, with some offering only basic toilet facilities. Summer remains the primary camping season, with many establishments operating from May through October.

The tent camping experience near South Windham varies significantly by location. Sites closer to Old Orchard Beach provide convenient beach access but less privacy. As one visitor noted, "The sites are close to each other. Fortunately the site we had was shaded by trees during the hot days of July — half the sites have no trees, so beware of where you book." More secluded tent sites can be found at smaller campgrounds away from tourist centers. Backcountry tent camping opportunities exist along waterways like the Saco River, where tent campers can find greater solitude and natural settings. Weekend reservations are recommended during peak summer months, as popular tent campgrounds fill quickly, especially those with water access or proximity to beaches.

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Best Tent Sites Near South Windham, Maine (23)

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near South Windham, ME

8 Photos of 23 South Windham Campgrounds

Tent Camping Reviews near South Windham, ME

823 Reviews of 23 South Windham Campgrounds

  • L
    Aug. 20, 2021

    Desert of Maine Campground

    Aesthetically pleasing campground-- good for tent campers

    Desert of Maine campground is an excellent choice just 4-5 miles from the heart of Freeport at interstate exit # 22. This campground is well-imagined. Sites are close together, and some are small. There are 2 hike-in sites which are set apart. Wifi is provided throughout the campground and most sites have power. They must have studied "best practices" when designing this lovely campground. 

    I booked an extra night.

    This is an outdoor experience campground- not a wilderness adventure -- but perfect for young families…especially for those new to camping or those for whom a very sanitary classic bathroom is needed.Children find and entertain each other in the common area.

    Sites 19-27 face a shared square with excellent access to the modern and stylish bath house. Other sites have a somewhat further walk. Sites 17-27 are best for tents due to the configuration of the sites.. Tent sites # 2 & # 3 are short walk-in and very private, but lack easy access to the bath house. Almost all sites in this campground have shade and are under a beautiful canopy of old pine, maple and balsam.

    Site 24 is lovely & slightly set apart and cars are parked close by but not on the tent site. Site 27 is located down a steep slope and is very private but has difficult access. I would categorize site 27 as a hike-in site, but not # 24.  All sites are generally level and have been graded. Sites have scant privacy in front, but back up to forest. Sites 4, 6,17, 19, 23 & 26 have slightly more space but space is not the defining issue in this campground. RV's that are large should not try this campground. The maintenance is superb; and the thoughtful design of the overall campground is aesthetically pleasing. 

    This attractive campground is small-scale and personally managed. 

    Ice is available for purchase…as is wood. 

    Beware of speed trap on the 2 mile access road between the interstate & campground.

  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 10, 2024

    Beach Camping Area

    Motorcycle camping

    Next to river and had a major flood this spring. I was tent camping on motorcycle and tent site are on dirt due to flood. Tent Site consists of picnic table. No water or sewer or electrical. $43 a night and bring quarters for shower. Clean restrooms and showers but I feel way over priced for what was offered. Should have looked for alternate.

  • Justin P.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 27, 2022

    Paugus Brook Farm

    Great field camping at a great location

    I stayed here tent camping on the way to some fishing on the Saco River.

    The location is a great place to either explore the immediate area (Mount Chocorua and Chocorua Lake) or head further north to Conway and North Conway).

    The camping area is a field in the back with fairly level ground and lots of space, and is a very short walk from the designated parking area.

    The outhouse is brand new and super clean and right nearby, though there are no picnic tables and fires aren’t permitted due to area fire restrictions.

    Communication with the host was fast and helpful.

  • Jean C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 29, 2020

    White Ledge Campground

    Rustic with road noise, but great location for hiking, climbing, exploring

    White Ledge Campground is in the White Mountain National Forest and should not be confused with nearby White Lake State Park. Located a few miles south of the Kancamagus and Conway, you have ready access to the Carter Ledge trail up Mt Chocurua or shorter loop trails. 

    The sites are generally large and wooded. Designated tent sites are not suitable for RVs/trailers because the site may require a short walk or steps. Facilities include potable water and vault toilets. There are no hookups and no dump station. The lack of amenities contributes to the low fee of$20/night, though online reservation fees will add somewhat to that. If you want a shower, they are available at Jigger Johnson campground along the Kancamagus Hwy, about 20 minutes away.

    If you head up on a holiday weekend, get an early start or be ready for traffic. The loop for sites 14-28 parallels NH16; you WILL hear and even see road traffic and Rte 16 is busy.  Sites 2-5 are more open, larger, and suitable for RV or tent. Site 10 is a nicely wooded, level site for tent or RV. About half the sites are reservable. The campground is open Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend.

  • Matthew D.
    Jul. 3, 2018

    Jigger Johnson Campground

    Simple Campground

    Stayed for an overnight trip. Site #47. Drive in, pick an open camp spot and pay for the nights by the front board. Clean area, some more open and several with in walking distance of the river. Picnic table with fire ring. Bath rooms were clean, didn’t use the showers but they do offer them. Three host locations for questions. Trails leading off in different directions.

    Some sites have more privacy. The inside locations had more of the trees cut down directly around them. No noise problems at night or in the morning. Definitely recommend if you’re looking for a campground.

  • Heather P.
    Jul. 2, 2018

    White Lake State Park Campground

    Pristine clear lake with view of white mountains

    Primitive large campsites, no hookups...no water, no cable, no electric. Clean bathrooms and pay showers. Been camping here for over 30 years..in a tent originally and now a 30 ft trailer..been to many campgrounds with lots of amenities and activities and our kids would rather be here than anywhere else. Now our children will bring their children here, it feels like our second home.

  • Sarah C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 8, 2020

    Wild River Wilderness Area

    Backcountry Wilderness Camping

    The Wild River Wilderness area spans both New Hampshire and Maine and can be accessed by multiple trail heads in either state. Route 113 (open seasonally late May/early June until the snow begins to fall) travels through the Evans Notch in the White Mountain National Forest and has multiple trail heads that enable you to access the Wild River Wilderness Area. This wilderness area is relatively new and is one of my favorites in the country.

    There are several established campsites in the Wilderness Area, most of which had shelters at one point that were taken down once it received the Wilderness designation. However, the areas are still established camping areas with tent cribbing and many have established fire rings and National Forest Service signage. I will try to add those camping areas and review them based on their names and not lump them into one review. 

    That being said, this particular review is focused on camping in the Wilderness outside of designated sites. In our household, we call this "bush crashing." In May of this year, the Dyrt magazine published a helpful article about this very thing and you can check it out here: https://thedyrt.com/magazine/lifestyle/free-camping-national-forests/

    There is plenty of "dispersed" (aka bush crashing) available in the Wild River Wilderness. Just keep in mind that some areas are not open to camping, mainly Forest Protection Areas that are generally located within a 1/4 mile from trail heads and established designated campsites. Otherwise, just find a spot 100-200 feet from water and the trail and you're golden. On this particular trip we parked at the Wild River Campground (fee required to park here) and headed into the woods via the Wild River Trail. Once you're in the wilderness area, keep your eyes pealed for any flat-ish spot up from the river and you won't be disappointed. 

    Just remember, dispersed camping can be a little bit of a shock if you're used to rolling up to an established and/or maintained camping area. It will not look like what you may expect, so don't be disheartened or deterred. You can still make a cozy home for the night. Be sure to bring a stove to cook one, as fires are not permitted outside of designated sites. Also be prepared to dispose of your solid human waste per Leave No Trace principles (back a WAG bag or trowel). There's a lot to explore and with the ability to camp just about anywhere you want, there's no need to worry about mileage or a camp site being full. The world is your oyster when you hone the art of bush crashing!

  • Sable W.
    Jun. 19, 2018

    White Lake State Park Campground

    Your experience will depend heavily on your neighbors!

    A friend and I decided to camp here before a backpacking trip in the Whites, to cut down on morning-of driving time. Our site, #02 on Loop 2, was in very close proximity to all of the neighboring sites. We had children on several sides, and a rowdy group of adult men on another side. Quiet hours are supposed to start at 10:00pm, but our rowdy male neighbors were up, playing music, talking loudly, and singing, until midnight. Then, just when we thought they were ready to settle in, they turned on a headlamp aimed directly into our tent. We are both very experienced car campers and backcountry campers, but even we struggled to get any rest through all the noise and light. The staff drove by a few times in a golf cart but never stopped to encourage this group to quiet down or use a little etiquette/common sense with their headlamp use. It wouldn't have been so much of a problem if the sites weren't SO close to each other. I attached a photo to show just how closely all the sites are situated; that's my backpacking tent, for scale.

  • Kirsten J.
    Jul. 10, 2022

    Jigger Johnson Campground

    Gorgeous big trees in the whites with a pine needle carpet!

    Jigger Johnson is located past the pass on the Kancamagus Hwy.  There are 9 tent sites on the first tent loop with firepits and picnic tables.  There are dumpsters located throughout the campground with appropriate animal deterrents.  Firewood is for sale for $8 a bundle, clean water spigots are located throughout with quiet hours from 10pm to 6am.  This is the ONLY campground we found on the Hwy with pay showers!!! 2.50 - and yes, the can change your quarters for you!  

    This campground was close to a great day-hike to Champney Falls, the Russel Colbath historic site and Sawyer Pond trail.

Guide to South Windham

Tent camping options around South Windham, Maine range across several state parks and private campgrounds situated within a 30-mile radius. Most campsites in the region sit at elevations between 270-400 feet above sea level, with the camping season typically running from mid-May through mid-October. Winter weather limitations restrict most campgrounds to seasonal operation, with overnight temperatures regularly dropping below freezing from November through April.

What to do

Water recreation access: Sun Outdoors Saco Old Orchard Beach offers convenient beach activities via their shuttle service. "Great location trolley will pick you up from the campground and take you to Old Orchard Beach. Very friendly staff. Kid activities were done regularly," notes camper Jill P. in her review of the property.

Nature trails exploration: Several campsites connect to local hiking paths. At Swans Falls Campground, campers can enjoy riverside walks. As Charles P. mentions, "It's in a nice, open pine forest and there is a beautiful walking trail by the Saco River."

Paddling opportunities: The Saco River provides multiple put-in locations for kayaking and canoeing. Brian P. notes that Saco Bound is "Right on Saco river. Gets busy in the summer," making it an ideal base for water excursions but requiring advance planning during peak months.

What campers like

Privacy options: While many campgrounds offer densely packed sites, some provide more seclusion. Regarding Northern Nursery Brookside Campsites, Jake C. shares, "There are 15 tent sites along the water, and a quick walk from the parking area. There is no running water, only a porta potty but it was great for a place to stay the night while exploring."

Family amenities: Many campgrounds feature child-friendly facilities. Erin M. comments about Sun Outdoors Saco, "We really enjoyed our stay here. The bathrooms and grounds were very clean, activities were fun, the playground/pool was nice and the Maine blueberry pancakes were amazing!"

Site selection considerations: At Sun Outdoors Saco, Rachel P. advises, "My sister and I lucked out with our cabin and the cul-de-sac it was in. It overlooked the woods and was a bit more secluded than many of the other sites. KK15, K3, K2 and K1 are great options as well, located along the wooded edges of the grounds."

What you should know

Facility limitations: Basic campgrounds often have minimal amenities. Jake C. describes Mac's Camping Area as having "large RV Sites with access to their private beach and boat launch," but tent campers should check ahead regarding shower availability and water access.

Seasonal crowds: Peak summer months bring significant visitor traffic. At Swans Falls Campground, K R. observes, "This campground allows day use and kayak/canoe launching. On weekends there's a huge line up of people putting in to float down the river, which is busy and noisy. It calms down by afternoon."

Temperature variations: Spring and fall camping requires preparation for overnight cold. Many campgrounds operate from May to October, with most closing after Columbus Day weekend due to freezing overnight temperatures.

Tips for camping with families

Water features: Kids enjoy campgrounds with swimming options. Samantha N. recommends Salmon Falls River RV Resort: "If you have young kids this place is so fun! Multiple pools, a water slide, high ropes, a jump pad, mini golf and more!!! My niece had so much fun!"

Morning activities: Schedule family events earlier in the day before afternoon crowds. Nancy W. notes of Sun Outdoors Saco, "Amenities include a heated pool, hot tub (adults only), basketball, volleyball, playground, and various activities like s'mores, crafts, ice cream socials and more."

Cabin alternatives: For families transitioning to camping, cabins provide a compromise. Rachel P. explains, "K16 was a single room cabin that could comfortably sleep 4, furnished with a full-sized bed and a bunk bed. We were shocked to find that the cabin had electrical, lights and a small heater."

Tips from RVers

Site dimensions: Aaron G. notes about Salmon Falls River: "Campsites are level and site is fairly easy to maneuver with bigger rigs. Have great activities daily for the kids a nice store onsite." Always call ahead to confirm your specific RV length can be accommodated.

Hookup availability: Most campgrounds near South Windham offer electric and water hookups, with some providing full sewer connections. Consider using campgrounds with sanitary dump stations if staying at locations without full hookups.

Seasonal booking windows: Reserve RV sites 3-6 months in advance for summer weekends. Most campgrounds open reservation systems in January for the upcoming season, with holiday weekends filling quickly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near South Windham, ME?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near South Windham, ME is Sun Outdoors Saco Old Orchard Beach with a 4.2-star rating from 22 reviews.

What is the best site to find tent camping near South Windham, ME?

TheDyrt.com has all 23 tent camping locations near South Windham, ME, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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