Stow, ME is a great camping destination for adventurers of all types. Stow is an adventure-filled destination for those who love the outdoorsy camper lifestyle. But it's also great for those who prefer to spend time near the city, exploring and sightseeing. Discover great camping spots near Stow, reviewed by campers like you.
Over 200 generously sized sites, all with large picnic tables and fire rings.
Papoose Pond Campground is the favorite camping resort of thousands of families throughout New England. We’re located in the mountains of Western Maine on picture perfect, Papoose Pond. Our half-mile sandy beach, 30’X60′ heated swimming pool, 180 campsites and more than 55 rental cottages, cabins and trailers provide the facilities for the ideal vacation. We offer more than 100 planned activities and nightly entertainment each week during our mid-season. Rent one of our 50 Canoes, Kayaks, Paddleboats, Rowboats, or bring your own. Mini-Golf, Tennis, Bocce, Volleyball, Horseshoes, Basketball, Softball, Weekly Tournaments, 3 playgrounds and our Antique Carousel are only a few of the reasons the whole family will enjoy Maine’s Premiere Family Resort. Experience Papoose Pond by trying one of our popular Weekend Escapes in June or September. One price includes everything – accommodations, 5 great meals and the use of all our boats, mini-golf, a hayride and our carousel. It’s a great deal. Ask your friends or check us out online at www.papoosepondcamping.com Come visit Papoose Pond Campground and discover for yourself why more than 80% of our guests return year after year.
White Lake campground is located on a National Natural Landmark of 72 acre Pitch Pine Stand, surrounding a glacier formed lake. North Conway is 20 miles north of the campground with many tourist attractions.
$25 - $75 / night
Located in the heart of Mount Washington Valley, Jellystone Park™ Glen Ellis offers a picturesque camping experience the whole family will enjoy. Get out and explore nature by kayaking, tubing, or fishing the two rivers, watching a sunset over the mountains, or hiking the Whites. Whether you prefer to sleep under the stars in a tent, or set up your RV, Jellystone Park™ has a spot with your name on it – start planning your getaway today!
Covered Bridge Campground is located in a thick forest along one of the most scenic drives in New Hampshire. This facility provides access to the heart of White Mountain National Forest and its many recreation opportunities such as hiking, biking, fishing and sightseeing. The quaint town of Conway is just 6 miles away and provides shops, restaurants and other conveniences. The White Mountains boast pristine forests, clear mountain streams and rivers and the tallest peaks in the Northeast. The forest encompasses nearly 800,000 acres in New Hampshire and western Maine, and is one of the most popular in the country.
The adjacent Kancamagus Highway, referred to locally as "the Kanc," is a National Scenic Byway that offers some of the best fall foliage viewing in New England. The 26.5-mile road connects the towns of Lincoln to the west and Conway to the east, and takes about one hour to drive from end to end. The cool, cascading Swift River is a great spot to wade or fish for brook trout during warm summer months. The area is extremely popular for hiking. The 3-mile Boulder Loop Trail and a 0.5-mile nature trail can be accessed near the campground. Learn more about recreation in the national forest.
The adjacent Kancamagus Highway, referred to locally as "the Kanc," is a National Scenic Byway that offers some of the best fall foliage viewing in New England. The 26.5-mile road connects the towns of Lincoln to the west and Conway to the east, and takes about one hour to drive from end to end. The cool, cascading Swift River is a great spot to wade or fish for brook trout during warm summer months. The area is extremely popular for hiking. The 3-mile Boulder Loop Trail and a 0.5-mile nature trail can be accessed near the campground. Learn more about recreation in the national forest.
The campground is nestled in an old hardwood forest near the Swift River. The forest is home to many species of northern wildlife, including moose, white-tailed deer and black bear. Almost 200 species of birds, including the rare Bicknell's Thrush, live in the forest.
The nearby towns of Conway and North Conway offer tours, shopping, restaurants and many other amenities. Within an hour drive, campers can access the Presidential Range, which consists of the tallest mountains in the forest, including the 6,288-ft. Mount Washington, the highest peak north of the Smoky Mountains and east of the Mississippi River. The White Mountains region hosts four alpine and five nordic ski areas, which provide year-round recreation opportunities.
$27 / night
Opened to the public in 1938, Sebago Lake State park camping was one of the five original state parks of America. Nestled near the foothills of the White Mountains the park’s 1,400 acres of vast woodlands, sandy beaches, vibrant ponds, and deep emerald bogs inspire wonder and awe. A windy river snakes through one of the oldest historical locks in the region; while surrounding miles of expansive land create diverse habitats for a variety of plant and wildlife.
Sebago Lake was carved by ancient rivers and Ice Age Glacier fallout. The now filled granite basin provides recreation and watersport activities to thousands every year. The region is an impressive feat of scenery, boasting dense forests of pine, aspen, and birchwood. A multitude of these directly touch the shore of Maine’s deepest and second largest lake.
Subsequently, Sebago Lake Campground provides year-round camping and recreation to thousands. There are a number of popular activities, including lake (and river) swimming, sport fishing, camping, and even boating. The summer is especially busy thanks to the variety of large trees creating an abundance of breezy, shaded areas to escape the heat and hide the perfect makeshift rope swing.
Unique to this area is the historic Songo Lock, the last surviving lock of Cumberland and Oxford Canal, built in the 19th century. It can be found directly on the Songo River, just above the intersection of Crooked River and the Northern End of Sebago Lake State Park in the town of Naples. The lock was built in 1830, featuring granite walls with real wooden control gates to control water levels. Other locks have since been updated, however this has been preserved for its historical relevance.
Camping here provides the right environment for romantic nights under the stars, and misty mornings on the lake. There are 250 campsites available year-round, although tent camping here in the winter will get pretty chilly. That said, cross country skiing and distance snowshoeing are extremely popular winter activities. The campground also has good park service, various group picnic shelters, a fully functional playground, RV dumping station, and a limited amount of RV hookups for electric and water. There are even showers with working hot water, and facilities nearby for laundry.
Don’t skip out on Lake Sebago State Park. It’s a blast for anyone willing to put themselves through the effort of packing the car up and getting out there. There’s a ton to do, with giddy feelings and laughs around the campfire. The region is well maintained, with all the benefits of a beachside resort without the expensive costs. If you don’t mind paving your own fun, you’ll be rewarded exponentially on the shores of Lake Sebago.
$25 - $30 / night
White Ledge Campground is conveniently located off State Route 16, 5 miles south of the town of Conway, New Hampshire. It is a relatively small facility and provides easy access to town amenities and activities as well as superb scenic driving, hiking, fishing and rock climbing. The White Mountains boast pristine forests, clear mountain streams and rivers and the tallest peaks in the Northeast. The forest encompasses nearly 800,000 acres in New Hampshire and western Maine, and is one of the most popular in the country.
Campers can access numerous hiking trails, rock climbing routes, scenic overlooks and wildlife viewing locations within a short drive. Local rivers and streams offer stocked or wild trout for anglers. Nearby Jigger Johnson Campground offers educational programs on Saturday nights. The White Mountains region hosts four alpine and five nordic ski areas, which provide year-round recreation opportunities such as skiing, hiking, mountain biking, outdoor concerts, interpretive trails, special events and regional and national skiing and snowboarding races. The area also contains 1,200 miles of hiking trails, including 160 miles of the famous Appalachian Trail. Learn more about recreation in the national forest.
Campers can access numerous hiking trails, rock climbing routes, scenic overlooks and wildlife viewing locations within a short drive. Local rivers and streams offer stocked or wild trout for anglers. Nearby Jigger Johnson Campground offers educational programs on Saturday nights. The White Mountains region hosts four alpine and five nordic ski areas, which provide year-round recreation opportunities such as skiing, hiking, mountain biking, outdoor concerts, interpretive trails, special events and regional and national skiing and snowboarding races. The area also contains 1,200 miles of hiking trails, including 160 miles of the famous Appalachian Trail. Learn more about recreation in the national forest.
The campground is tucked away in a mixed white pine and hardwood forest in the southern part of White Mountain National Forest. The forest is home to many species of northern wildlife, including moose, white-tailed deer and black bear. Almost 200 species of birds, including the rare Bicknell's Thrush, live in the forest.
The nearby towns of Conway and North Conway offer tours, shopping, restaurants and many other amenities. The Kancamagus Highway is a popular scenic byway perfect for a morning or afternoon drive on a clear day. Within an hour drive, campers can access the Presidential Range, which consists of the tallest mountains in the forest, including the 6,288-ft. Mount Washington, the highest peak north of the Smoky Mountains and east of the Mississippi River.
$22 / night
$32 - $36 / night
$50 - $69 / night
Great campsite!
Bear box, food area, water source, cabin, Privy, and platforms.
We had a great stay at white lake state park. I was surprised that there was only a large log separating our site from the next one but luckily it was just my brothers family so it wasn’t awkward. Our sites (2-11 and 2-11a) survived a 2 hour monsoon with some water running through but other sites had some major flooding so just something to be cognizant of.
We stayed two nights at P-08 and loved both times. The side we stayed at is more for larger campers and is much quieter than the larger side. Paid showers, that’s a bummer, but we make do. Nice camp store, great access to rivers for fishing. Pulled an 8” brook trout out of a 10’ wide stream onsite. Awesome experience
We booked 2 nights and stayed for 3! Nice small campground with very clean bathrooms and showers! Staff was friendly and mountain biking trails were good and easy to get too.
We did not have reservations so our pick of sites was limited. There are several styles of sites here from tucked in/private to open areas and not so private sites. Bathrooms were clean and there is a nice wash station to do dishes. Campground is well maintained. We came for easy access to mountain biking trails!
Nice campground and nice lake , lots of activities for the kids. Sites are cramped and close together.
I come back to this area every year; I missed my spring trip this year though. A friend was camping and invited me to join them. We had a site on the B loop, I have only camped on the A loop...
The site was nice with some great rock features, the sites have enough space between them to give privacy, but you know you're not alone. The facilities on the B loop are vintage 1950s, simple clean but not new or the same caliber as the facilities on A loop. Plenty of water faucets on the B loop.
Both A & B are easy to get around on, all of the roads are dirt but well maintained. Both loops have their own Trash and Recyling. The access road into the park is a well-maintained dirt road and about 5 miles long. Look for the bears, and other cutouts creatures in the clearings on the way in.
This campground is remote and it's about 45 min. to the nearest town. There is no cell service, even with a booster. The lake is wonderful.
DO NOT GO HERE! The rudest and most unprofessional management we have ever encountered. Anywhere. Hands down. I Would need a book to adequately warn people. 1) We were accidentally overcharged and were met with total annoyance by owner when attempting to rectify. Ultimately we were refunded the wrong amount, to the wrong account, which I let slide because the management does not appear to be cognitively able to understand how to compute charges. 2) My bf and his son collected some old dead wood at site to burn(didn’t know it was against rules- not in written policy- although they said it is)and when they were not so warmly reprimanded by the owner on her golf cart full of wine coolers(no judgement here, but, it IS an alcohol free campground. just saying…..), and then immediately radioed for husband for back up in his golf cart(no wine coolers there…) to reprimand us even further! Completely unnecessary, as they had already stopped collecting wood when first told- but he did let us in on a fun fact- that they(the Campground)“let people have fires here,without training!” Which we thought was odd, and hysterically funny. It’s a campground!! We’re supposed to feel grateful they allowed campfires- without training?😂 3) Lastly& most importantly, my boyfriend poked his head in the bathroom at 7 am while the lady was cleaning- not their regular scheduled cleaning time- and he REALLY needed to go, and politely, from the door, asked how long she might be. He just wanted know if he should wait or to look for someplace else to go, and he was absolutely chastised by the cleaning lady when she came out! She was absolutely nasty and rude to him! When we mentioned this incident we were told by employee(golf cart man) that we had no right to ask her questions! He told us she was going through a rough time in her life(who isn’t?) and that she having personal issues(kind of agreeing that, yes, can be a bitch), and something about somebody’s pregnant and her husband wants to ring her neck? We couldn’t really follow because we were all still trying to process the“you’re lucky we let you have a campfire without training“comment. Obviously, We had already decided we would never be back, and have already made reservations elsewhere for our fall trip- but when I got home today, I opened a scathing email(sent 2 days ago) from the owner ACCUSING my bf of“HARASSMENT” of the the cleaning lady! Who, she claimed, was very fearful because a male popped his head in the door while she was alone, and asked her a simple question! Cleaning lady can rest assured, that if she was the last woman on this planet, my bf wouldn’t touch her with an 10 foot pole. She was most definitely in no danger. The owner then wrote that we are now banned from their campground!!!😂 She also asked us to leave two days early- which I was not aware of until I read the email after I got home! All because my bf asked somebody a question, I asked to be billed to be correctly, and we tried to burn a dead log. That is INSANE! Let’s just say, it would not have been well received and that they are extremely lucky we were blissfully unaware of her email and finished out our stay, because if we had known then that she was falsely accusing my bf of harassment, it would not have gone well for them. Her accusation of harassment is BOLD FACED LIE!!! All of this has been mind blowing, but she really took my anger to a whole new level when she sent me that nasty email- and then she BLOCKED me from responding! She also blocked me from FB- so I couldn’t leave a review there! She took it way too far…. They have had other similar poor reviews in the past, which they respond to by calling the reviewers liars, and then making up ridiculous lies about them- which I fully anticipate they will do here. DO NOT BELIEVE A WORD OF WHAT THEY SAY.We have NEVER had problems like this with any business! Ever. We are LIVID that my bf is being FALSELY accused of harassment, and we do not take it lightly. THESE PEOPLE ARE NOT RIGHT IN THE HEAD.
Personal Connection
Baker River Campground will always hold a special place in my heart. It’s where I was first introduced to camping as a child. My first visit was in 1969 when I was eight years old. Last year, I returned for the first time in over 50 years. While much has changed, the basic layout of the camp remains the same, and it’s still family-owned, which is wonderful.
Current Stay
I stayed on site#20 with my class B van. Here are some highlights and details of my experience: Site Location: Conveniently near the road going out and to the beach. Amenities: Electrical and water hookup, a well-placed fire pit, and a bathroom/shower house right across from my site. The facilities were very clean, thanks to regular cleaning. Campground Condition: Maintained excellently, largely due to Reno, the full-time staff member who oversees the place. He was outstanding. The only reason I gave it a 5 was because of him. Environment: Located on the Baker River with a cozy beach. Limited amenities(horseshoe pit and a small playground), but both were in excellent condition. The campground is perfect for those who prefer a traditional camping experience without additional frills. During the week, the campground was quiet, but it got crowded on the weekends with seasonal campers and tent setups closer to the river. I appreciate the layout and the ambiance of the campground.
Negative Aspects
Unfortunately, a recent change in ownership to a corporation has brought noticeable changes: Loss of Personal Touch: The campground has lost its personal feel. Reno is still a lifesaver, but he’s the only one maintaining the old charm. Neglect by Management: The focus has shifted to another campground, Riverbrook, which is evident from their social media presence and activities. Baker River is largely neglected, and even basic acknowledgments from the management are lacking. Lack of Engagement: The director of both campgrounds visited but did not engage with campers. When Reno was on vacation, there was no other staff available to assist. Seasonal Campers' Discontent: Long-term campers have noticed the decline and are considering not returning next year. Corporate Focus: The corporation seems more interested in raising prices and saving money rather than maintaining and improving Baker River Campground.
Final Thoughts
I write this review out of a deep passion for Baker River Campground. It’s painful to see the decline in care and attention. I believe each campground should be treated as a separate entity with full-time events and dedicated management. The current corporate approach appears to prioritize profit over the well-being of the campground and its community. It’s a shame to see such a beloved place being neglected. I hope the management will take these concerns seriously and work towards restoring the charm and personal touch that made Baker River Campground special.
Mike Weild
Weild on Wheels
Stay in a 45' motorhome for a couple nights. Going up to mt Washington to ride the cog rail
From the time we arrived to when we left, we enjoyed Maple Haven. Nice location! You can walk to shops and breweries. We will be back!
Here I am, going to ruin it... no, really pretend you didn't read this... The main campground is nice, it has some great group spots, and some close sites, even a few semiprivate ones. After all it is a campground build on an old section on RTE 16. The campground as others have mentioned is right on the river, and a wonderful river it is.
This is primitive camping, no water, no electrical, but it does have pit toilets and boat rentals and a day use area.
The hidden spots though are totally private and not at the main site but else ware on rte. 16, the ranger told me about them. They are amazing (I didn't say that)
Access is easy for any vehicle, minimal cell coverage.
They are currently doing a dig and finding some amazing artifacts!
Stayed the last weekend in June and I was able to book the site 3 days prior. I was shocked there was still availability. Self check-in, no alcohol allowed and quiet hours start at 10:00 p.m. and fires out by 11:00 p.m. Who I believe to be the owners working in the store at the entrance were super friendly and helpful. My site wasn't the greatest (#32) as it seemed to be one of the few that was sort of out in the open and within view of numerous other sites. Not much seclusion but almost every other site seem to be more secluded. The riverfront sights looked absolutely beautiful and some had better/ easier access to the water then others. We had our travel trailer and it was easy to get it in and out and the dump station was conveniently located on the way out as well as the dumpster for trash. There are quite a few tent sites and our site was right near the clean bathroom and showers. We didn't eat there but there's also a pizza place at the entrance too. Everything is within walking distance.
Will go back again for sure but would look for a river front site next time!
Stayed here a couple of times in 2022 and loved it so much i got a seasonal for 2023.
The owners are wonderful people and go out of their way for their guests. The river is the highlight of the campground, we loved hanging in the water and the sandy beach. My favorite activity was putting in a couple miles up river and floating back to camp over the course of a few hours, ultimate lazy river.
Despite being so remote, one of the busiest back country camps in the Whites.
Has a nice shelter, spring, privy, platforms, some sites have somewhat of a view of far away mountain tops.
No space for non-free standing tents. Quite a hike dropping down from the main trail to the campsite, 15-20 min straight up to hike out in the morning
Was really quiet the night I went. Clean, fairly secluded sites. Will be back for sure
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I absolutely loved this park. From the natural beauty to the very nice camp office that also serves as the camp store. Don't get me wrong, this is a quaint little park that is mostly for tenters, but we still managed to get our campers in and we're comfortable. This is a no electric hookup and no dump station park, but it's still worth your time. We took our generator and did just fine. Lots of trees, and quiet sites make this camp a peaceful retreat. They have an honest to goodness swimming hole with fresh water running off of the mountain (FYI it's freezing cold, but refreshing) The bathrooms are very nice and clean. The staff was very friendly. If you're in the White Mountains and looking for a low key stop, give Moose Brook a try.
We had a few sites scattered over the campground for the weekend and had an overall...interesting time. We live relatively close and have been here a few times, each time has been mid.
Getting into your site with a camper requires maneuvering no matter how you come into the campground. We had a few sites higher up in the campground and had a tent site right on the water near the "boat ramp".
I try not to judge a campground based on the people around you because you literally cannot control that. The beach had flooded the weekend that we were there, leaving the only beach area available the spot...in our site. A HUGE group of people set up camp IN OUR SITE. It left a really bad imprint on the weekend and I won't be returning.
The campground itself is average, wooded sites with a camp store, field area, small beach and basic amenities.
I could not have been happier with this campground. From the minute we pulled in, we were greeted with smiles and treated like family. We will make this a regular spot of ours.
Nice access and right by the river. Close to a lot of hiking trails and other areas. One main drawback close to the road so a decent amount of road noise. No Verizon and starlink was spotty.
Lake and beach area are beautiful, love seeing the loons.
Cell service was great.
Other than that, this was my least favorite campground I have ever experienced.
Water from the spigot is absolutely HORRID tasting. Apparently it is the iron in the pipes. Not drinkable.
Bracelet thing is weird.
Bathrooms are disgusting.
Layout is confusing and not great.
Vibe wasn't hiker friendly.
I hate to be negative about a park, but this is one I would not return to.
While this is close to the road, there is a good buffer of vegetation between the road and the campsites. I've camped here multiple times and never hear the road. Most sites are right on the Androscoggin River and the serenity is priceless. There are many grassy tent sites that can also accommodate small campers, like pop ups. There are a few lean-tos (2) and a few sites with wooden platforms.
The gentleman working the office was super kind and helpful. There was good signage indicating how to proceed for various needs in his absence, including how to purchase firewood and checking in/out. There is recycling available near most sites next to the various pit toilets. At this time, there are no showers or flush toilets but according to park staff, a facility for these items will be built in the near future.
Most sites are grassy but a few are hard packed dirt and a few had newly dispersed wood chips. Bathrooms were clean, water spigots are readily available as well. Sites are well maintained and some are closer together than others. Many have direct access to the river. There's really not a bad site.
July 2023 was not kind to this campground. Flooding and closures were problematic at times but staff made things easier to deal with. Sites are average size and close together. Not a lot of privacy. Clean level site with fire ring. Worth the trip all the same.
This is an amazing campground to be a Seasonal Camper! The seasonals are friendly. The campground is beautiful& well maintained. Landscaped throughout. Pool is always crystal clear. Pool area is large and inviting. Beautiful beach down the street.
SEVEN night minimum for in season waterfront sites. RIDICULOUS. LOVE this place, but can't see booking SEVEN nights when I just want to come to the site that I've been on for the past 3 years for Labor Day weekend. Are you out of your minds? SEVEN nights? It's CAMPING, not a vacation in Can Cun!
We made the mistake of camping here for the 4th of July and should have known better, especially with a dog terrified of fireworks! While they aren't allowed in the State Park, much of the lake is private property...so between the rule breakers and the private land owners this was a cacophony of noise for days. The other bummer about this park in particular is that many of the sites were marked as reserved even though they sat empty for the three nights we were there and many of them were lakeside. Sadly, no shows don't forfeit their sites which was frustrating.
Our site, though not on the water, was nice and had a lean-to. The nice new bathhouse was also very much appreciated. Though it seemed that the drainage system could use some work, as the showers continually backed pretty far up. Thank goodness for shower shoes!
The campground employee was incredibly talkative and a little nosy but we didn't mind it so much sense we are generally well behaved campers.
Our site was spacious and we enjoyed having a lean-to for some shade. It easily accommodated two vehicles, two canoes, three dogs and four humans. Firewood and ice are readily available. Be prepared to drive a fair distance down gravel roads to get there.
There are a few hiking trails available in the park as well as several public access points to the lake. There is also a small swimming area/beach.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular glamping campsite near Stow, ME?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular glamping campground near Stow, ME is Moose Brook State Park Campground with a 4.6-star rating from 25 reviews.
What is the best site to find glamping camping near Stow, ME?
TheDyrt.com has all 63 glamping camping locations near Stow, ME, with real photos and reviews from campers.
