Best Campgrounds near Stow, ME
Stow, Maine sits at the gateway to the White Mountain National Forest, providing access to diverse camping experiences across both Maine and neighboring New Hampshire. Within a 30-mile radius, campers will find everything from primitive dispersed sites to full-service family campgrounds. Basin Campground offers a quiet, primitive camping experience on the Maine-New Hampshire border with 20 wooded sites, while Papoose Pond Family Campground in nearby Waterford features lakefront sites with amenities including showers and hookups. The area's camping landscape is characterized by wooded sites along rivers and ponds, with many campgrounds serving as convenient basecamps for exploring the region's extensive hiking trails.
Most campgrounds in the Stow area operate seasonally from mid-May through mid-October, with limited options available during winter months. Road access varies significantly, with some sites requiring high-clearance vehicles or short hikes from parking areas. As one camper noted about nearby Crocker Pond, "It's an off the beaten path car camping destination with about 5 of the 7 sites directly on the water." Cell service is spotty throughout the region, particularly at more remote sites like Basin Campground where "there is no cell service within several miles in any direction." Ticks are common during warmer months, and campers should be prepared for variable weather conditions typical of the White Mountains.
Waterfront camping represents a significant draw in the region surrounding Stow. Rivers like the Saco, Androscoggin, and Magalloway offer scenic camping opportunities, though site quality can vary considerably. Road noise affects many campgrounds, particularly those along Route 302 and the Kancamagus Highway. A reviewer of Crawford Notch Campground observed that "tent sites are all further in, nestled in the forest along the stream. They are quite beautiful, serene and peaceful," while noting that RV sites closer to the road experience more traffic noise. Wildlife sightings, including black bears, are reported throughout the area, requiring proper food storage. Many campgrounds provide access to hiking trails, with several serving as convenient basecamps for exploring popular White Mountain peaks and waterfalls.
